System for preparing soluble beverages

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system for producing soluble beverages, comprising a device (100) for producing soluble beverages and to a beverage vending machine (50) having a series of containers (15) for soluble substances, wherein the device (100) for producing soluble beverages comprises a mixing chamber (1), a mixing head (10), a slider (2) integral with the mixing chamber (1), a slide (3) on which the chamber (1) translates and a motor (5) for moving the mixing chamber (1) on the slide (3) along a longitudinal axis (X) which has a direction perpendicular to the dispensing direction of the soluble substances which are dispensed out of the vending machine (50).

Description

[0001] SYSTEM FOR PREPARING SOLUBLE BEVERAGES

[0002] The present invention relates to a system for preparing soluble beverages.

[0003] The invention falls within the technical field of machineries for preparing and distributing food products, in particular the technical field of beverage vending machines.

[0004] More specifically, the invention relates to a device for preparing soluble beverages which has improved characteristics during their preparation and mixing.

[0005] Advantageously, these improved design and manufacturing characteristics mean that the device for preparing the soluble beverages object of the present invention ensures a better preparation of cold or hot beverages obtained by mixing powdered condensates with liquids, such as for example water, coming from the water mains or from specific containers.

[0006] Furthermore, the present invention makes it possible to provide a device for preparing soluble beverages which uses a smaller number of components than known devices.

[0007] Such a device can be applied in all cases where it is useful to prepare such beverages, such as public catering areas, coffee shops, household appliances and / or vending machines.

[0008] The devices according to the prior art carry out the mixing operations through individual systems for each dosed product, with various mechanical and electromechanical elements which must therefore be multiplied several times on the basis of the number of products to be prepared and distributed.

[0009] In particular, the machines or distributors known for preparing soluble beverages generally use collecting containers or mixers installed under the dispensers of the various powders where the electronically programmed amount of powder should fall.

[0010] The supply of water, mostly coming from boilers and sent by means of a hydraulic pump system or by several solenoid control valves, is inserted on the circumference of these collecting containers .

[0011] Inside these collecting containers, there are also "wheels" or "blades" having different shapes which are fitted onto shafts and controlled by electric motors. By the rotation of these "wheels" and the pressure of the introduced water, the soluble products undergo a mixing suitable for preparing the products which will be sent, using various conveying systems, through a hole in the collecting containers towards the dispensing site.

[0012] This dispensing site generally consists of a nozzle which dispenses the beverage towards a glass or another container.

[0013] As stated, in the known devices, each product selection and each combination of different products has a mixing system with its own motor and its own solenoid valves.

[0014] The abundance of components, due to assembly, cleaning and maintenance operations, complicates the reliability of the aforementioned systems.

[0015] For example, the various solenoid valves may have particular issues when using limestone-rich waters.

[0016] Furthermore, the increase in soluble products available on the market, due to the introduction of new and different flavors and combinations, in order to meet all the needs of the final consumers, has considerably increased the issues previously described since, by increasing the components, issues have also increased.

[0017] Finally, a further drawback of the known devices is due to the presence of steam produced by the hot water inside the mixing systems. This steam is a source of moisture for the powders inside the containers and, in particular, the moistened powders can clog the distribution systems, preventing the beverage from flowing out.

[0018] The objective of the present invention is to provide a system for preparing soluble beverages capable of solving the aforementioned drawbacks.

[0019] Another objective of the device for preparing soluble beverages according to the present invention is to eliminate the excessive number of modules and components of the currently used systems.

[0020] Another aim of the present invention is to provide a system for preparing soluble beverages with reduced and simple cleaning, assembly and maintenance operations.

[0021] Another aim of the present invention is to provide a system for preparing soluble beverages which comprises a single solenoid valve between the pump and the mixing head.

[0022] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a system for preparing soluble beverages which makes it possible to get a beverage mixed in the best possible way and with a perfect balance of the products. A further aim of the present invention is to provide a system for preparing soluble beverages which eliminates the steam produced by the hot water inside the traditional mixing systems.

[0023] These and other aims are achieved by a system for preparing soluble beverages according to the attached claim 1 .

[0024] The present invention will now be described, by way of non-limiting example, according to its preferred embodiments, and with the aid of the attached figures, wherein:

[0025] - Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a beverage machine combined with a device for preparing soluble beverages according to the present invention;

[0026] - Figure 2 is a schematic representation of the components for moving the mixing chamber of the device for preparing soluble beverages, according to the invention;

[0027] - Figure 3 is a schematic representation of the components forming the mixing chamber and the mixing head of the device for preparing soluble beverages, according to the invention;

[0028] - Figure 4 is a schematic sectional representation of the entire device for mixing soluble beverages according to the invention.

[0029] With reference to the figures shown above, the device for preparing soluble beverages, in a first embodiment thereof, according to the present invention, is generically indicated by the reference number 100.

[0030] In particular, a system for preparing soluble beverages, according to the invention, comprises the preparation device 100 and a vending machine 50 for soluble powders or soluble substances, while the device 100 comprises a mixing chamber 1 , a slider 2, a slide 3 and a motor 5.

[0031] In particular, the mixing chamber 1 is integral with the slider 2, which is shaped to translate on the slide 3 by means of a worm screw system 4.

[0032] This structure, moved by the motor 5, translates along a longitudinal X-axis which has a direction perpendicular to the dispensing direction of the soluble substances which are dispensed out of the vending machine 50 and makes it possible to position the mixing chamber 1 under each of the various dispensers 16 placed where the various powders or soluble substances in the containers 15 of the vending machine 50 are leaving the corresponding containers 15.

[0033] In particular, the motor 5 is able to move the mixing chamber 1 from a mixing position or zero point 9 to the areas under the dispensers 16 connected to the corresponding containers 15 of the soluble substances or powders.

[0034] The dispensing devices 16 allow the powders or soluble substances to be dispensed out of each container 15 to the mixing chamber 1 .

[0035] As it is visible in Figure 2, the device 100 according to the present invention provides for the possibility of moving the mixing chamber 1 between one or more positions of distribution of the powder and the position 9 of distribution of the finished product where the final mixing of the product occurs, for example using hot water.

[0036] Advantageously, the mixing chamber 1 is a “cup-shaped” container where at the bottom there is a silicone membrane or food grade rubber 6 integral with the aforementioned mixing chamber 1 .

[0037] In particular, the silicone membrane 6 is blocked by a flange 7 adapted to keep it adherent to the bottom of the mixing chamber 1 .

[0038] Advantageously, cross-shaped incisions 8 are made in the center of the silicone membrane 6 so that the silicone membrane 6, in the normal position, remains completely closed and watertight, while, in the presence of a pressurized fluid, makes it possible to open some wedge-shaped lips created by the cross shape of the incisions 8 at the bottom of the silicone membrane 6.

[0039] This silicone membrane 6 prevents the powder or soluble substance from being disperded while the mixing chamber 1 is moving.

[0040] Advantageously, once the required dose of soluble powder has been collected at the dispensers 16 of the corresponding containers 15 of the vending machine 50, the mixing chamber 1 is positioned, by a further movement on the slide 3 by means of the motor 5, in the mixing position 9, centered exactly under the mixing head 10. The mixing head 10 is integral with a motorized axis 11 and this system creates a second axis of movement Y, perpendicular to the longitudinal X-axis, allowing the mixing head 10 to be vertically moved in and out of the mixing chamber 1 .

[0041] The mixing head 10 comprises a head where a nozzle 12 is inserted for the pressurized delivery of hot water, controlled by the opening of a solenoid valve, which is dispensed out of a central needle 13.

[0042] Advantageously, on the contour of the mixing head 10, in order to be able to work under pressure, there is inserted a sealing ring 14 which is able to maintain the pressure between the mixing chamber 1 and the mixing head 10 inserted therein. Once the mixing chamber 1 is positioned centrally and under the mixing head 10, the motorized axis 1 1 is moved, allowing the mixing head 10 to interpenetrate the mixing chamber 1 until the sealing ring 14 is housed between the two components. The modulation of the solenoid valve and the flow of pressurized hot water inside the mixing chamber 1 make it possible to carry out the mixing operations of the soluble powder.

[0043] This mixing system guarantees the possibility of obtaining beverages also with different soluble powders contained in containers 15, even if they are not adjacent, which are installed in the vending machine 50.

[0044] Advantageously, it is also possible to use a single solenoid valve, instead of a single solenoid valve for each powder or soluble substance; this single solenoid valve is advantageously placed between the water output system and the mixing head 10. Still advantageously, the design of the mixing system with two functional groups, which can be moved along the X and Y axes, together with the use of the various combinations of pressure and time, makes it possible to obtain further variations in the interpenetration of the mixing head 10, as well as a variation in volume of the finished product.

[0045] Once the pressure, time and volume conditions necessary to have the most performing action for each specific beverage have been achieved, the motorized axis 1 1 is descended downwards, as visible in Figure 4, so that the needle 13, entering the incisions 8 of the membrane 6, is able to open these incisions, so as to modulate the pressure of the outgoing fluid used, in order to obtain the desired beverage which will be sent directly to a container or glass available for the user. By using the same procedure, at different pressures, and only high temperature water, it is possible to carry out the necessary washings to keep the entire system clean.

[0046] The device 100 for preparing soluble beverages can be easily installed in beverage vending machines or in other devices in this field.

[0047] Therefore the present invention has the main advantage of eliminating the numerous components of the known machines, while obtaining at the same time a great variety of hot or cold beverages from soluble powders.

[0048] Furthermore, the device according to the present invention, having a controlled pressure and being able to modulate the formation of the final product, can use the most appropriate adjustments on the basis of the type of soluble powder or mixtures selected by a user, so as to obtain a more pleasant beverage for the user, compared to the prior art.

[0049] From the above description, therefore, the characteristics of the device for preparing soluble beverages, object of the present invention, are clear, as well as the advantages thereof. Finally, it is clear that numerous other variations can be made to the device in question, without thereby departing from the principles of novelty inherent to the inventive idea, as it is clear that, in the practical implementation of the invention, the materials, shapes and size of the illustrated details may be any according to requirements and they may be replaced with other equivalent ones. Where the constructive features and the techniques mentioned in the attached claims are followed by signs or reference numbers, these reference signs have been introduced with the sole aim of increasing the intelligibility of the claims themselves and, consequently, they do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified, purely by way of example, by these reference marks.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A system for producing soluble beverages, comprising a device (100) for producing soluble beverages and a beverage vending machine (50) having a series of containers (15) of soluble substances, wherein said device (100) for producing soluble beverages comprises a mixing chamber (1 ) and a mixing head (10), characterized in that said device (100) for producing soluble beverages further comprises a slider (2) integral with said mixing chamber (1 ), a slide (3) on which said mixing chamber (1 ) translates, and a motor (5) for moving said mixing chamber (1 ) on said slide (3) along a longitudinal axis (X) having a direction perpendicular to the dispensing direction of the soluble substances being dispensed out of said vending machine (50).

2. The system for producing soluble beverages as in claim 1 characterized in that said slider (2) translates on said slide (3) by means of a worm screw system (4).

3. The system for producing soluble beverages as in one of the preceding claims characterized in that said motor (5) moves said mixing chamber (1 ) between a first position corresponding to a mixing position (9) and a second position corresponding to a dispensing position wherein said mixing chamber (1 ) is located inferiorly to each of the containers (15) of soluble substances of said vending machine (50).

4. The system for producing soluble beverages as in one of the preceding claims characterized in that at the bottom of said mixing chamber (1 ) there is a silicone membrane (6) integral with said mixing chamber (1 ), said silicone membrane (6) being blocked by a flange (7) adapted to keep it adherent to the bottom of said mixing chamber (1 ) in such a way as to prevent the dispersion of the soluble substance during the movement of said mixing chamber (1 ).

5. The system for producing soluble beverages as in claim 4 characterized in that cross-shaped incisions (8) are made on said silicone membrane (6) in such a way that said silicone membrane (6), in a first resting condition, remains completely closed and watertight, while, in the presence of pressure, said incisions (8) are made so as to result in an opening of said silicone membrane (6).

6. The system for producing soluble beverages as in claim 3 characterized in that in said first position, said mixing chamber (1 ) is located inferiorly to said mixing head (10) while, in said second position, said mixing chamber (1 ) is located inferiorlyto each of the containers (15) of soluble substances of said vending machine (50) and collects a predetermined dose of soluble substance.

7. The system for producing soluble beverages as in claim 6 characterized in that, in said first position, said mixing head (10) is integral with a motorized axis (11 ) which moves said mixing head (10) along a vertical axis (Y) having a direction perpendicular to said longitudinal axis (X), so as to make it possible to move said mixing head (10) inside and outside said mixing chamber (1 ).

8. The system for producing soluble beverages as in at least one of the preceding claims 6 and 7 characterized in that on the contour of said mixing head (10) there is inserted a sealing ring (14) capable of maintaining the pressure between said mixing chamber (1 ) and said mixing head (10).

9. The system for producing soluble beverages as in claim 8 characterized in that, in said first position, said mixing chamber (1 ) is placed centrally and inferiorly to said mixing head (10) and said motorized axis (1 1 ) allows said mixing head (10) to interpenetrate said mixing chamber (1 ) until said sealing ring (14) is housed between said mixing chamber (1 ) and said mixing head (10).

10. The system for producing soluble beverages as in claim 7 characterized in that said mixing head (10) has a needle (13) and, in said first position, said motorized axis (1 1 ) moves downward said mixing head (10), so that said needle (13), upon entering said incisions (8) of said silicone membrane (6), opens said incisions (8) and makes it possible to mix the beverage contained in said mixing chamber (1 ).

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