Beverage preparation with flexible outlet valve

Abstract

A machine (1) is provided for preparing a beverage (4) from flavour ingredients (5a) in a processing cavity (5) by mixing the flavour ingredients (5a) with water (4') and centrifugally driving such ingredients (5a) and the water (4') about a processing axis (30'). The machine (1) comprises a centrifugal valve (30) associated with a beverage passage (26) for controlling the flow rate and / or pressure of the beverage (4) along the beverage passage (26). The valve (30) comprises a valve portion (31, 310, 311) having first and second inertial bodies (31; 310, 311) having first and second centres of inertia, respectively, offset with respect to the processing axis (30'), and a rotation moves the valve portion (31, 310, 311) to control the beverage flow rate and / or the beverage pressure. The first and second inertial bodies (31; 310, 311) move the valve portions (31; 310, 311) when the raw material (5a) and the water (4') are rotated at first and second rotational speeds, respectively. The first and second rotational speeds are different.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The field of the invention relates to beverage preparation machines by centrifuging capsules containing the ingredients of the beverage to be prepared.

[0002] For the purposes of this specification, "beverage" is intended to include any liquid substance that can be consumed by humans, 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, such as flavor ingredients, forming an enclosure of any material, in particular airtight or permeable materials, porous or non-porous materials (e.g. plastic, aluminum, recyclable and / or biodegradable packaging), as well as any shape and structure, including soft pods or rigid cartridges containing the ingredients. [Background technology]

[0003] Some beverage preparation machines use capsules that contain the ingredients to be extracted or dissolved and / or ingredients that are stored in the machine and automatically dispensed or added during preparation of the beverage. Some beverage machines have a filling means that includes a pump for a liquid, usually water, which pumps from a water source either cold water or indeed a liquid that is heated by a heating means, for example a thermoblock.

[0004] In particular, in the field of coffee preparation, machines have been widely developed in which a capsule containing the beverage ingredients is inserted into a brewing device that is sealed around the capsule, injects water into a first face of the capsule to produce a beverage in the sealed volume of the capsule, and expels the brewed beverage from a second face of the capsule where it can be collected in a receptacle such as a cup or glass.

[0005] Brewing machines have been developed to facilitate the insertion of a "new" capsule and the removal of the capsule during use. Examples of such brewing machines are disclosed in EP 1767129, WO 2009 / 043630, WO 2005 / 004683 and WO 2007 / 135136. The preparation of beverages using centrifugation is also known. Examples of centrifugation processes and corresponding devices are disclosed in WO 2008 / 148601, WO 2008 / 148650, US 5566605, WO 2013 / 007776, WO 2013 / 007779 and WO 2013 / 007780.

[0006] It has also been proposed to facilitate the handling of the capsules by a system for carrying out the extraction on the capsules, independent of the extraction process itself, in particular by motorizing the opening and / or closing of the extraction system for inserting and / or removing the capsules. Examples of such systems are disclosed for example in EP 1 767 129, WO 2009 / 113035, WO 2012 / 025258, WO 2012 / 025259, WO 2012 / 041605, WO 2013 / 127476, WO 2014 / 096122, WO 2014 / 096123 and EP 2015185946.9.

[0007] The preparation of beverages using centrifugation is also known. Such beverage preparation comprises the steps of providing beverage (flavor) ingredients in a capsule, for example powder and / or tea leaves, and rotating the capsule at a speed sufficient to ensure the interaction of the liquid with the ingredients while passing a liquid through the capsule and creating a pressure gradient of the liquid within the capsule. Such pressure increases gradually from the center to the periphery of the capsule. As the liquid passes through the ingredients, such as the coffee layer, extraction of the ingredients, such as the coffee mixture, occurs, resulting in a liquid extract that flows out at the periphery of the capsule. Examples of such systems are disclosed in WO 2008 / 148601, WO 2013 / 007776, WO 2013 / 007779, WO 2013 / 007780, WO 2017 / 046294, WO 2017 / 068134 and WO 2017 / 202746. WO 2021 / 122502 discloses a centrifugal beverage machine having a rotatable valve arrangement for controlling the flow rate of water towards a centrifugal beverage mixing chamber.

[0008] It has been proposed to prepare the beverage by centrifugation along a horizontal axis.

[0009] WO 2015 / 173123 and WO 2015 / 173124 disclose a centrifugal brewing chamber formed between two enclosing parts that are relatively translatable between an open position and a closed position. The enclosing parts cooperate with a pair of jaws that are movable between a capsule holding position for holding the capsule between the enclosing parts in the open position and a capsule releasing position for releasing the capsule. The jaws are actuated by a first actuator and a second actuator that are actuated by the enclosing parts during their relative translational movement. The jaws guide the capsule into a position between the enclosing parts in the open position and fix the capsule therebetween. The enclosing parts are then translated together to enclose the capsule, and the jaws release the capsule, so that a brewing chamber is formed around the capsule. The enclosing parts are rotated about a horizontal axis to centrifuge the capsule to prepare a beverage using the ingredients in the capsule. At the end of the beverage preparation, the centrifugation is stopped and the enclosing portion is translated relatively to an open position, thereby allowing the used capsule to fall out of the enclosing portion. The jaws are then returned to the capsule-holding position.

[0010] WO 2008 / 148646 and WO 2008 / 148650 describe beverage preparation devices, in which a flow restriction is created downstream of the receptacle, in particular the capsule, for example by a valve that opens or expands under the pressure generated when the centrifuged liquid leaves the receptacle. The higher the rotation speed, the more the valve opens or expands. The valve can be formed by a movable restriction part of the device elastically biased against the rim of the capsule. In WO 2017 / 068134, the centrifugal brewing chamber is equipped with an outlet valve that can be controlled by the inertia of the machine that rotates together with the centrifugal brewing chamber. The valve leads to a collector forming a crema chamber, in which the beverage subjected to the pressure reduction at the valve is refined for dispensing into the receptacle of the user, for example a cup or a mug. Such a collection chamber is typically arranged around the centrifugal brewing chamber, as for example disclosed in WO 2020 / 201469. Summary of the Invention

[0011] The present invention relates to a machine for preparing a beverage from at least one raw material. Typically, such a beverage is then dispensed for a user, for example into a user's cup or a user's mug.

[0012] For example, the machine is a coffee, tea, chocolate, cocoa, milk or soup preparation machine, for example configured to prepare a beverage in a beverage processing module including an ingredient holder by passing hot or cold water or other liquid through ingredients held in the holder, such as the flavour ingredients of the beverage to be prepared, such as ground coffee, tea, chocolate, cocoa or milk powder.

[0013] Such beverage preparation typically involves mixing a number of beverage ingredients, e.g., water and milk powder, and / or infusion of the beverage ingredients, e.g., infusion of ground coffee or tea with water. One or more of such ingredients may be provided in loose and / or agglomerated powder form, and / or in liquid form, particularly concentrated form. A carrier or diluent, e.g., water, may be mixed with such ingredients to form the beverage. Typically, a predetermined amount of the beverage is formed and dispensed in response to a user request, corresponding to one serving (e.g., one scoop). Such a serving may be in the range of 15-1000 mL, e.g., 25-600 mL (e.g., 40-250 mL), e.g., the amount to fill a cup or mug, depending on the type of beverage. The beverage formed and dispensed may be selected from ristretto, espresso, lungo, cappuccino, caffe latte, americano coffee, tea, and the like. For example, the coffee machine may be configured to brew an espresso in an adjustable amount, e.g., between 20 and 60 mL per serving, and / or to brew a lungo in an amount, e.g., in the range of between 70 and 200 mL per serving, and / or to dispense an americano in an amount, e.g., in the range of between 150 and 750 mL.

[0014] One aspect of the invention relates to a machine for preparing a beverage from flavour ingredients in a processing cavity, which may be configured to hold ingredients provided in a capsule, the beverage being prepared by mixing the ingredients with water and centrifugally driving such ingredients and water about a processing axis.

[0015] Centrifugation processes for preparing beverages are known, for example, from EP 2000062, EP 2155020, EP 2152128, WO 2008 / 148646, 2009 / 106175, 2009 / 106589, 2010 / 026045, 2010 / 026053, 2010 / 066736, 2008 / 148650, 2008 / 148834, 2010 / 066705, 2010 / 063644, 2011 / 023711, 2014 / 096122 or 2014 / 096123.

[0016] During beverage preparation, the process axis may extend horizontally or at an angle to the horizontal, such angle may be less than 45 degrees, such as less than 30 degrees, for example less than 15 degrees.

[0017] Typically, the machine includes one or more of the following components: a) a fluid system in fluid communication with flavor ingredients during beverage preparation; b) a thermal conditioner, such as an in-line heater and / or cooler, for thermally conditioning a flow of liquid to be passed through the flavor raw materials, or a batch thermal conditioner, for passing the thermally conditioned liquid from the batch thermal conditioner through the flavor raw materials; c) a liquid drive, such as a pump, for driving the liquid to the flavor raw material, specifically a low pressure pump in the range of 1 to 5 bar, for example 1.5 to 3 bar; d) a motor for driving the flavor ingredients in rotation during beverage preparation; e) an electronic control unit, specifically comprising a printed circuit board (PCB) for receiving instructions from a user via an input user interface and for controlling the thermal regulator, the fluid drive, and the motor; f) one or more sensors for sensing at least one characteristic selected from the characteristics of the fluid system, the thermal regulator, the liquid drive, the liquid tank, the raw material collector, the flow rate of the liquid (e.g., via a flow meter), the pressure of the liquid, and the temperature of the liquid, and for communicating such characteristic to the control unit.

[0018] The capsules described above may have a body containing the ingredients and a peripherally projecting flange, for example a cup-shaped body and a lid covering the mouth of the cup and extending beyond the mouth to form a peripherally projecting flange.

[0019] The capsule can have a symmetrical or asymmetrical, conical, frusto-conical, cylindrical, spherical, hemispherical, or frusto-spherical body that contains the ingredient (e.g., ground coffee, tea, cocoa, or other beverage ingredient).

[0020] The capsule may be of the type described above under the heading "Technical Field". The capsule may be a capsule having a container body (e.g. a generally cup-shaped, hemispherical or hemi-ellipsoidal body) with a flange to which a cover lid (or membrane) is attached, in particular sealed. Typically, the capsule contains a beverage ingredient. 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, WO 2015 / 044400. The capsule may be of the type marketed by Nespresso under the trademark Vertuo.

[0021] The machine comprises a rotatable ingredient handling system for holding and rotating the flavouring ingredients and water, e.g. contained in the abovementioned capsules, about a processing axis during centrifugation, the ingredient handling system comprising at least one beverage outlet and at least one water inlet for supplying the flavouring ingredients with water. The handling system may include a first material handler and a second material handler, the first material handler and the second material handler being configured to: from an ingredient transfer arrangement for receiving flavor ingredients by the first capsule handler and the second capsule handler and / or for discharging such ingredients from the first ingredient handler and the second ingredient handler; One is movable relative to the other into and out of the ingredient processing arrangement for centrifuging the flavour ingredients and water by rotation about a processing axis.

[0022] The reverse is also true.

[0023] During processing, for example raw material contained in capsules may be collected in a raw material (or raw material capsule) collector downstream from the handling system, as disclosed for example in WO 2009 / 074559 or WO 2009 / 135869.

[0024] The machine incorporates a beverage passage, e.g. a beverage conduit, in fluid communication with the beverage outlet, the passage configured to guide the beverage from the outlet towards the beverage dispensing outlet, e.g. the beverage passage extends along the process axis.

[0025] The machine includes a centrifugal valve associated with the beverage passage for controlling the flow rate and / or pressure of the beverage along the beverage passage, the valve being configured to, for example, allow and block, increasing and decreasing the beverage flow rate and / or beverage pressure (build-up and / or release) in the valved portion of the passage.

[0026] The machine has a machine frame and / or housing that is stationary and supports the ingredient handling system when the ingredient handling system is rotated for centrifugation.

[0027] A centrifugal valve comprises a valve frame and a valve part movable relative to the valve frame, the latter having a first inertial body having a first centre of inertia offset with respect to a process axis such that rotation causes the valve part to move, e.g. radially, towards a closed or open position to control the beverage flow rate and / or the beverage pressure along the beverage passage.

[0028] Typically the valve frame is stationary relative to the machine frame and / or housing and / or is stationary relative to the beverage passageway.

[0029] The valve portion is actuated by a second inertial body having a second center of inertia offset relative to the process axis to move the valve portion, e.g., radially, by rotation, toward a closed or open position, e.g., opposite to the movement by the first inertial body. The first and second inertial bodies move the valve portion when the raw material handling system is rotated at a first rotational speed and a second speed, respectively. The first rotational speed is different from the second rotational speed.

[0030] Such a valve configuration may be used to provide non-linear control of beverage flow rate and / or beverage pressure through the valve versus rotational speed.

[0031] Such a configuration makes it possible to obtain a tailored flow and / or pressure profile.

[0032] For example, the valve may be fully open at low rotation speeds, for example to easily drain the beverage from the cavity, e.g. the capsule, and / or to extract coffee with substantially no internal pressure (above ambient pressure) and / or at maximum flow rate. At high speeds, the valve may be used to pressurize the cavity, e.g. the capsule, and / or to reduce the flow rate of the beverage leaving the cavity. At very high speeds, the flow rate may be maximized and / or the pressure may be minimized, for example to empty the beverage cavity, e.g. the capsule, before discarding used ingredients.

[0033] By providing tailored flow and / or pressure profiles, the machine may be able to run different beverage preparation recipes, for example for brewing different types of roast and ground coffee and / or blends thereof.

[0034] A valve along the beverage passage can be used to control the amount of water in the processing cavity, particularly in the capsule when the ingredients are delivered using a capsule.

[0035] Thus, a valve along the beverage passage may be used to control the flow rate and / or pressure within the ingredient, particularly when contained within a capsule.

[0036] The valve portion may extend substantially annularly around the process axis and / or substantially radially, e.g. diametrically, relative to the process axis.

[0037] For example, the valve portion may be configured to rotate about a process axis during centrifugation, and the valve portion may be fixed at an angle relative to a raw material handling system that is rotatable about the process axis, for example.

[0038] The valve portion may be axially movable relative to the process axis to control the beverage flow rate and / or the beverage pressure, for example such axial movement resulting from an oblique orientation of the motion path of the valve portion relative to the process axis and / or from a (e.g. electromagnetic) actuator actuating the valve portion axially.

[0039] The valve portion may be connected to at least one return spring, such as a helical spring, to move the valve portion to a spring-released position. For example, the valve portion may be connected to a first spring and a second spring that move the valve portion in different control steps. For example, the first spring and the second spring move the valve portion when the material handling system is rotated at a first rotational speed and a second speed, respectively, the first rotational speed being different from the second rotational speed.

[0040] The first inertial body can be connected to a first pre-constrained return spring and the second inertial body can be connected to a second pre-constrained return spring, for example by a connecting element, such that when the raw material handling system is rotated at a first rotational speed and a second rotational speed, respectively, the first inertial body and the second inertial body move radially to further constrain the first return spring and the second return spring, respectively, and the first rotational speed is different from the second rotational speed.

[0041] The valve portion may be actuated by an electrical actuator, such as a solenoid, to move the valve portion, such as a magnetic valve portion, toward a closed or open position, such as to move the valve portion axially relative to a process axis.

[0042] The valve may extend diametrically and / or annularly relative to the process axis. For example, the valve extends substantially along a direction and / or plane substantially perpendicular to the process axis, and / or has a center of gravity substantially on or located at the process axis. For example, the valve has an axis of gravity that is substantially collinear with the process axis.

[0043] The frame and / or housing may include or be fixed to a bottom, which is configured to rest on a support surface external to such machine, such as an external support surface formed by a table top, when the raw material handling system is rotated about the process axis for centrifugation, and which process axis forms an angle with respect to such bottom in the range of 0° to 80°, such as 0° to 45°, for example 0° to 30°, for example 0° to 15°, typically substantially 0°.

[0044] The frame and / or housing can support a motor that is connected to the raw material handling system, for example, by a direct connection or via a transmission such as at least one of a belt, such as a toothed belt, a gear, such as a spur gear, and a connecting rod.

[0045] The processing cavity may have one or more capsule openers, such as a capsule punch, associated with one or more of the beverage outlet and the water inlet.

[0046] The processing cavity may have a plurality of beverage outlets circumferentially disposed about the processing cavity about a central processing axis.

[0047] The processing cavity may have a water inlet located on the processing cavity or adjacent to the processing axis.

[0048] For example, the valve portion may displace a gate to increase and decrease, e.g. allow and block, the flow of beverage in the valve portion of the passageway. For example, the valve portion may have a section that can be sealed by the gate.

[0049] The water inlet may be fluidly connected to a water source, for example a water tank or a water distribution network, via an upstream water conduit.

[0050] The water conduits may extend at least partially along the process axis, for example concentrically or adjacently along the process axis.

[0051] The beverage passage and / or the water conduit leading to the at least one water inlet may run adjacent to one another or one within the other, for example concentrically. The beverage passage may surround the water conduit or vice versa.

[0052] Typically, the water conduit is a water source, e.g. a water tank or a connection to a water distribution network; a water temperature regulator, e.g. a heater and / or a cooler, and optionally a beverage regulator, as described below, fixed to the water temperature regulator or integrated therein; and a water drive, e.g. a pump; and a sensor for sensing a property of the water, such as a flow sensor and / or a temperature sensor and / or a pressure sensor.

[0053] The machine may include a beverage conditioner defining a conditioning cavity between two surfaces, e.g., rotatably movable, relative to one another, the conditioning cavity being fluidly connected to the beverage passage. The conditioning cavity may be configured to refine a beverage delivered from the beverage outlet via the beverage passage.

[0054] The conditioning cavity may include at least one surface, such as an inner surface, that is driven together with the raw material handling system when rotated for centrifugation, such at least one surface being driven in rotation, for example, about the process axis.

[0055] For example, if the beverage delivered from the outlet includes gas (e.g., air), the beverage conditioner may be configured to finely mix, e.g., disperse, the gas within the beverage, e.g., to improve the quality of the beverage-gas emulsion. If the beverage is coffee, the conditioner may be configured to refine the coffee crema.

[0056] Typically, the beverage conditioner is connected to a downstream beverage dispenser that is configured to dispense the beverage into a user receptacle, such as a cup or mug.

[0057] The valve may be fluidly disposed between the beverage outlet and the regulating cavity.

[0058] The adjustment cavity can be at least partially offset relative to the processing cavity along the processing axis, optionally offset by a distance of at least 25% of the total axial length of the adjustment cavity, such as at least 50% of the total axial length, such as at least 75% of the total axial length. For example, the adjustment cavity is completely offset relative to the processing cavity along the processing axis, e.g. relative to a rotatable raw material handling system.

[0059] The beverage conditioner may include an overflow cavity in fluid communication with the brewing cavity for storing the unbrewed beverage when the brewing cavity is filled with the beverage being brewed.

[0060] The overflow cavity may extend from the adjustment cavity towards the process axis to a distance that is less than 75%, such as less than 60%, such as less than 40%, such as less than 25% of the distance from the process axis to the adjustment cavity.

[0061] The beverage outlet passage may be connected to the regulation cavity at a height corresponding to or above the top of the overflow cavity.

[0062] The processing cavity may extend about the processing axis to a maximum processing distance from the processing axis. The adjustment cavity may extend about the processing axis to a maximum adjustment distance from the processing axis. The adjustment distance may be less than or equal to the processing distance. For example, the adjustment distance is in the range of 50-100% of the processing distance, such as at least 75%, such as at least 85%, such as at least 90% of the processing distance.

[0063] The tuning cavity may be defined by an outermost substantially cylindrical surface and / or an inner substantially cylindrical surface.

[0064] For example, such an outermost substantially cylindrical surface and such an inner substantially cylindrical surface may be mated to rotate one surface relative to the other surface about the process axis during centrifugation.

[0065] One such surface, e.g., the outermost surface, may be stationary relative to the machine frame and / or housing, and the other such surface, e.g., the inner surface, may be rotatable with the rotatable material handling system during centrifugation, e.g., such other surface is fixed at an angle to the material handling system during centrifugation.

[0066] The outermost and inner substantially cylindrical surfaces may be sufficiently close to each other to create a shear effect, such as Couette flow, Taylor flow, vortex flow, or turbulent flow, within a beverage contained within the conditioned cavity.

[0067] The outermost surface and the inner surface may be spaced apart by a distance of less than 5mm, such as less than 3mm, for example less than 2mm.

[0068] The invention also relates to a system comprising a machine as described above and such a capsule containing a flavour ingredient.

[0069] Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for preparing, in a machine as described above, a beverage as described above from flavour ingredients provided to the machine in a capsule as described above, the method comprising the steps of: holding and rotating the capsules using a raw material handling system; supplying water into the capsule in the processing cavity via the water inlet and centrifuging the ingredients together with the water to produce a beverage; expelling a beverage from the capsule via a beverage passage; The method includes controlling the flow rate and / or pressure of a beverage from a capsule along a beverage passage by a valve having a valve frame and a valve portion movable relative to the valve frame, wherein such valve portion has a first inertial body having a first center of inertia offset relative to the process axis and rotates to move, e.g. radially, the valve portion towards a closed or open position to control the beverage flow rate and / or beverage pressure along the beverage passage, and wherein the valve portion is actuated by a second inertial body having a second center of inertia offset relative to the process axis and rotates to move, e.g. radially, the valve portion towards a closed or open position, e.g. in an opposite direction to the movement by the first inertial body, and wherein the first and second inertial bodies move the valve portion when the ingredient handling system is rotated at a first rotational speed and a second rotational speed, respectively, and the first rotational speed is different from the second rotational speed.

[0070] A further aspect of the present invention is a capsule as described above, The use of such a machine, or of implementing such a system, or of carrying out such a method.

[0071] The capsule may be used to carry out the steps described above. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0072] The invention will now be described with reference to schematic drawings. [Figure 1] 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a portion of a machine having a centrifugal processing cavity and valves according to the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a partial cutaway perspective view of the centrifuge cavity and valve shown in FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the machine shown in FIG. 1; [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a centrifugal valve suitable for use as the valve described above in the machine shown in FIG. 1. [Diagram 5]FIG. 5 is a perspective view, partially cut away, of the valve shown in FIG. 4 in a resting open position when the valve is at rest about the process axis. [Figure 6] 5 is a perspective view, partially cut away, of the valve shown in FIG. 4 in a closed position as the valve is rotated at a first speed about the process axis. [Figure 7] 5 is a perspective view, partially cut away, of the valve shown in FIG. 4 in an open position as the valve is rotated at a second speed about the process axis. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0073] 1 to 3 show an exemplary embodiment of a machine 1 according to the invention.

[0074] The machine 1 is configured to prepare a beverage 4 from flavour raw materials 5a by mixing the raw materials 5a with water 4' in a processing cavity 5, such as a cavity 5 for holding flavour raw materials 5a provided in a capsule 5b, and producing the beverage 4 by centrifugally driving such raw materials 5a and water 4' about a processing axis 30'.

[0075] The machine 1 comprises a rotatable ingredient handling system 10, 20 for holding and rotating the flavour ingredients 5a and water during centrifugation about a processing axis 30'. The ingredient handling system 10, 20 has at least one beverage outlet 25 and at least one water inlet 24 for supplying water 4' to the ingredients 5a.

[0076] The system 10, 20 may include a first material handler 10 and a second material handler 20, the first material handler 10 and the second material handler 20 being from a raw material transfer arrangement for receiving raw material 5a by the first capsule handler 10 and the second capsule handler 20 and / or for discharging raw material 5a from the first raw material handler 10 and the second raw material handler 20; One is movable relative to the other to and from a raw material processing arrangement for centrifuging the raw material 5a and water 4' by rotation about a processing axis 30'.

[0077] The reverse is also true.

[0078] The machine 1 has a beverage passageway 26, for example a beverage conduit, in fluid communication with the beverage outlet 25. Such passageway 26 may be configured to guide the beverage 4 from the outlet 25 towards a beverage dispensing outlet 54.

[0079] The beverage passage 26 may, for example, extend along a processing axis 30'.

[0080] The machine 1 includes a centrifugal valve 30 associated with the beverage passage 26 for controlling the flow rate and / or pressure of the beverage 4 along the beverage passage 26. The valve 30 is configured to, for example, allow and block, increasing and decreasing the beverage flow rate and / or the beverage pressure in the valve portion 26 of the passage 26.

[0081] The machine 1 comprises a machine frame and / or housing 40 which is stationary and supports the raw material handling systems 10, 20 as they are rotated for centrifugation.

[0082] The valve 30 comprises a valve frame 300 and valve parts 31, 310, 311 movable relative thereto. The latter comprises a first inertial body 31 having a first centre of inertia offset with respect to a process axis 30′ such that rotation causes the valve parts 31, 310, 311 to move, e.g. radially, towards a closed or open position in order to control the beverage flow rate and / or the beverage pressure along the beverage passage 26.

[0083] The valve portions 31, 310, 311 are actuated by a second inertial body 310, 311 having a second center of inertia offset relative to the process axis 30' to move the valve portions 31, 310, 311, e.g. radially, by rotation, towards the closed or open position, e.g. opposite to the movement by the first inertial body 31. The first and second inertial bodies 310, 311 move the valve portions 31, 310, 311 when the material handling systems 10, 20 are rotated at a first rotational speed and a second speed, respectively. The first rotational speed is different from the second rotational speed.

[0084] The valve portions 31, 310, 311 may extend substantially annularly 31' around the process axis 30' and / or substantially radially 31'', eg diametrically, relative to the process axis 30'.

[0085] The valve portions 31, 310, 311 may be configured to rotate about the process axis 30' during centrifugation. For example, the valve portions 31, 310, 311 are angularly fixed to the material handling system 10, 20 such that they are rotatable about the process axis 30'.

[0086] The valve portion may be axially movable relative to the process axis to control the beverage flow rate and / or the beverage pressure.

[0087] The valve portions 31, 310, 311 may be connected to at least one return spring 33, 33', such as a helical spring, for moving the valve portions 31, 310, 311, 31a to a spring-released position.

[0088] The first inertial body 31 may be connected to a first pre-constrained return spring 33 and the second inertial body 311 may be connected to a second pre-constrained return spring 33', for example by a connecting element 310. The first and second inertial bodies 31, 311 may move, for example radially, to further constrain the first and second return springs 33, 33', respectively, when the material handling systems 10, 20 are rotated at first and second rotational speeds, respectively. The first rotational speed may be different from the second rotational speed.

[0089] The valve 30 may extend diametrically and / or annularly relative to the process axis 30'. The valve 30 may extend substantially along a direction and / or plane substantially perpendicular to the process axis 30'. The valve 30 may have a center of gravity located substantially on or at the process axis 30'.

[0090] Valve 30 may have a gravity axis that is substantially collinear with process axis 30'.

[0091] The machine frame and / or housing 40 may include or be fixed to a bottom, which is configured to rest on a support surface external to such machine 1, e.g. an external support surface formed by a table top, when the material handling system 10, 20 is rotated about a process axis 30' for centrifugation. The process axis 30' may form an angle with respect to such bottom in the range of 0°-80°, such as 0°-45°, e.g. 0°-30°, e.g. 0°-15°, typically substantially 0°.

[0092] The machine frame and / or housing 40 can support a motor 2 which is connected to the material handling system 10, 20, for example by a direct connection or via a transmission 3 such as at least one of a belt, such as a toothed belt, a gear, such as a spur gear, and a connecting rod.

[0093] The processing cavity 5 may have one or more capsule openers 24 ′, 25 ′, such as capsule punchers 24 ′, 25 ′ associated with one or more of the beverage outlet 25 and the water inlet 24 .

[0094] The processing cavity 5 may have a plurality of beverage outlets 25 arranged circumferentially about the processing cavity 5 about a central processing axis 30'.

[0095] The processing cavity 5 may have a water inlet 24 disposed in the cavity 5 or adjacent to the processing axis 30'.

[0096] The valve portions 31, 310, 311 may displace the gate 32 to increase and decrease, e.g., allow and block, the beverage flow rate and / or the beverage pressure in the valve portion 26 of the passage 26. For example, the valve portion 26' has a section 26'' that may be sealed by the gate 32.

[0097] The beverage passage 26 and the water conduit 28 leading to the at least one water inlet 24 may run adjacent to one another or one within the other, for example concentrically. The beverage passage 26 may surround the water conduit 28 or vice versa.

[0098] The water conduit 28 may be associated with at least one of a water source, a thermal regulator 55, a water driver, and a sensor for sensing a property of the water 4'.

[0099] The machine 1 may include a beverage conditioner 50 defining a conditioning cavity 51 between two surfaces 52, 53 which are for example movable, for example rotatably movable, relative to one another. The conditioning cavity 51 may be fluidly connected to the beverage passage 26. The conditioning cavity 51 may be configured to refine a beverage 4 delivered from the beverage outlet 25 via the beverage passage 26.

[0100] The regulator 50 may be connected and in (direct) thermal communication with a thermal regulator 55 or the thermal regulators 55 described above, in order to thermally regulate the cavity 51 .

[0101] The valve 30 may be fluidly disposed between the beverage outlet 25 and the regulating cavity 51 .

[0102] The adjustment cavity 51 may be at least partially offset along the processing axis 30' relative to the processing cavity 5, and may optionally be offset by a distance 50' of at least 25% of the total axial length 53' of the adjustment cavity 51, for example at least 50% of the total axial length, for example at least 75% of the total axial length, e.g. the adjustment cavity 51 is completely offset relative to the processing cavity 5 along the processing axis 30'.

[0103] The processing cavity 5 can extend about the processing axis 30' from the processing axis 30' to a maximum processing distance 5'. The adjustment cavity 51 can extend about the processing axis 30' from the processing axis 30' to a maximum adjustment distance 51'. The adjustment distance 51' can be less than or equal to the processing distance 5'. For example, the adjustment distance 51' is in the range of 50-100% of the processing distance 5', such as at least 75%, such as at least 85%, such as at least 90% of the processing distance 5'.

[0104] The conditioning cavity 51 may be completely offset relative to the processing cavity 5 along the processing axis 30'. For example, the beverage conditioning device 50 is completely offset relative to the rotatable ingredient handling system 10, 20.

[0105] The beverage conditioner 50 may include an overflow cavity 51a that is in fluid communication with the brewing cavity 51 for storing the unbrewed beverage 4 when the brewing cavity 51 is filled with the beverage 4 being brewed.

[0106] The overflow cavity 51a may extend from the adjustment cavity 51 towards the process axis 30' to a distance that is less than 75%, such as less than 60%, such as less than 40%, such as less than 25% of the distance from the process axis 30' to the adjustment cavity 51.

[0107] The beverage outlet passage 54 may be connected to the regulation cavity 51 at a height corresponding to the top of the overflow cavity 51a or above.

[0108] The tuning cavity 51 may be defined by an outermost substantially cylindrical surface 52 and / or an inner substantially cylindrical surface 53 .

[0109] For example, the machine 1 includes outermost and innermost substantially cylindrical surfaces 52, 53 that are rotatable relative to one another 52 about a process axis 30' during centrifugation.

[0110] One of the surfaces 52, e.g., the outermost surface 52, may be stationary relative to the machine frame and / or housing 40, and the other surface 53, e.g., the inner surface 53, may be fixed at an angle to the raw material handling system 10, 20, e.g., during centrifugation.

[0111] The outermost and innermost substantially cylindrical surfaces 52, 53 may be sufficiently close to each other to create a shear effect, such as Couette flow, Taylor flow, vortex flow, or turbulent flow, within the beverage 4 contained within the conditioned cavity 51.

[0112] The outermost surface 52 and the inner surface 53 may be spaced apart by a distance of less than 5mm, such as less than 3mm, for example less than 2mm.

Claims

1. 1. A machine (1) for preparing a beverage (4) from flavour raw materials (5a) by mixing said flavour raw materials (5a) with water (4') in a processing cavity (5), such as a cavity (5) for holding said flavour raw materials supplied in a capsule (5b), and centrifugally driving said flavour raw materials (5a) and said water (4') about a processing axis (30') to produce said beverage, said machine (1) comprising: a rotatable ingredient handling system (10, 20) for holding and rotating said flavouring ingredients (5a) and water during centrifugation about said processing axis (30'), said ingredient handling system (10, 20) having at least one beverage outlet (25) and at least one water inlet (24) for supplying said water (4') to said ingredients (5a), optionally said ingredient handling system (10, 20) comprising a first ingredient handler (10) and a second ingredient handler (20), said first ingredient handler (10) and said second ingredient handler (20) being from a raw material transfer arrangement for receiving said raw material (5a) by said first capsule handler (10) and said second capsule handler (20) and / or for discharging said raw material (5a) from said first raw material handler (10) and said second raw material handler (20), a raw material handling system (10, 20) movable one relative to the other to and from a raw material processing arrangement for centrifuging the raw material (5a) and water by rotation about said processing axis (30'); a beverage passage (26), e.g. a beverage conduit, in fluid communication with said beverage outlet (25), configured to guide said beverage (4) from said outlet (25) towards a beverage dispensing outlet (54), optionally extending along said processing axis (30'); a centrifugal valve (30) associated with said beverage passage (26) for controlling the flow rate and / or pressure of said beverage (4) along said beverage passage (26), the centrifugal valve (30) being configured to, for example, allow and block, increasing and decreasing the beverage flow rate and / or beverage pressure in a valve portion (26') of said passage (26); a machine frame and / or housing (40) that is stationary when the raw material handling system (10, 20) is rotated for centrifugation and that supports the raw material handling system (10, 20); In the machine (1), the centrifugal valve (30) comprises a valve frame (300) and a valve portion (31, 310, 311) movable relative to the valve frame (300), the valve portion (31, 310, 311) having a first inertial body (31) having a first center of inertia offset with respect to the process axis (30') for rotating to move, e.g. radially, the valve portion (31, 310, 311) towards a closed or open position to control a beverage flow rate and / or a beverage pressure along the beverage passage (26), the valve portion (31, 310, 311) is actuated by a second inertial body (310, 311) having a second center of inertia offset with respect to the process axis (30') to move the valve portion (31, 310, 311) e.g. radially by rotation opposite to the movement by the first inertial body (31), towards a closed or open position, the first inertial body (31) and the second inertial body (310, 311) move the valve portion (31, 310, 311) when the material handling system (10, 20) is rotated at a first rotational speed and a second rotational speed, respectively, the first rotational speed being different from the second rotational speed.

2. 2. The machine according to claim 1, wherein the valve portions (31, 310, 311) extend substantially annularly (31') around the processing axis (30') and / or substantially radially (31") relative to the processing axis (30'), e.g. diametrically.

3. 3. The machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the valve portion (31, 310, 311) is configured to rotate about the process axis (30') during centrifugation, and wherein the valve portion (31, 310, 311) is optionally fixed at an angle to the rotatable raw material handling system (10, 20) about the process axis (30').

4. A machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the valve portion is axially movable relative to the processing axis to control the beverage flow rate and / or the beverage pressure.

5. 5. The machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the valve portions (31, 310, 311) are connected to at least one return spring (33, 33'), such as a helical spring, for moving the valve portions (31, 310, 311) to a spring-released position, and optionally the first inertial body (31) is connected to a first pre-constrained return spring (33) and the second inertial body (311) is connected to a second pre-constrained return spring (33'), e.g. by a connecting element (310), and wherein the first and second inertial bodies (311) move, e.g. radially, to further constrain the first and second return springs (33) and (33'), respectively, when the material handling system (10, 20) is rotated at a first rotational speed and a second rotational speed, respectively, and wherein the first rotational speed is different from the second rotational speed.

6. 6. The machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the valve (30) extends diametrically and / or annularly relative to the processing axis (30'), optionally the valve (30) extends substantially along a direction and / or plane substantially perpendicular to the processing axis (30') and / or has a centre of gravity located substantially on or at the processing axis (30'), e.g. the valve (30) has an axis of gravity substantially collinear with the processing axis (30').

7. The frame and / or housing (40) and / or 7. A machine according to any one of the preceding claims, supporting a motor (2) connected to the material handling system (10, 20) by a transmission (3), for example by direct connection or via at least one of the following: a belt, such as a toothed belt, a gear, such as a spur gear, and a connecting rod.

8. The processing cavity (5) one or more capsule openers (24', 25'), such as capsule punches (24', 25'), associated with one or more of said beverage outlet (25) and said water inlet (24); a plurality of beverage outlets (25) arranged circumferentially in said processing cavity (5) about said central processing axis (30'); and the water inlet (24) arranged in the treatment cavity (5) on or adjacent to the treatment axis (30').

9. A machine according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the valve portion (31, 310, 311) displaces a gate (32) to increase and decrease, e.g. allow and block, the beverage flow rate and / or beverage pressure in a valve portion (26') of the passage (26), and optionally the valve portion (26') has a section (26") that can be sealed by the gate (32).

10. A machine according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the beverage passage (26) and the water conduit (28) leading to the at least one water inlet (24) run adjacent to each other or one within the other, for example concentrically, the beverage passage (26) optionally surrounding the water conduit (28) or vice versa, typically the water conduit (28) being associated with at least one of a water source, a thermal regulator (55), a water drive and a sensor for sensing the properties of the water (4').

11. 11. A machine according to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising a beverage conditioner (50) defining a regulation cavity (51) between two surfaces (52, 53), which are for example movable, e.g. rotatably movable, relative to one another, said regulation cavity (51) being fluidly connected to said beverage passage (26), said regulation cavity (51) being configured to purify said beverage (4) delivered from said beverage outlet (25) via said beverage passage (26), said valve (30) being for example fluidly arranged between said beverage outlet (25) and said regulation cavity (51).

12. the adjustment cavity (51) is at least partially offset relative to the processing cavity (5) along the processing axis (30'), 12. The machine according to claim 11, optionally offset by a distance (50') of at least 25% of the total axial length (53') of the adjustment cavity (51), such as at least 50% of said total axial length, such as at least 75% of said total axial length, e.g. the adjustment cavity (51) is completely offset relative to the processing cavity (5) along the processing axis (30').

13. A system comprising a machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12 and said capsule (5b) containing said flavour ingredient (5a).

14. A method for preparing the beverage (4) from the flavour raw materials (5a) supplied to the machine (1) in the capsule (5b) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising the steps of: holding and rotating said capsule (5b) using said handling system (10, 20); supplying the water (4') through the water inlet (24) into the capsule (5b) in the processing cavity (5) and centrifuging the flavour ingredients (5a) together with the water (4') to produce the beverage (4); releasing the beverage (4) from the capsule (5b) via the beverage passage (26); controlling the flow rate and / or pressure of the beverage (4) from the capsule (5b) along the beverage passage (26) by means of the valve (30) comprising the valve frame (300) and the valve part (31, 310, 311) movable relative to the valve frame, the valve part (31, 310, 311) having the first inertial body (31) with the first center of inertia offset with respect to the process axis (30'), and rotating the valve part (31, 310, 311) towards a closed or open position, for example radially, to control the beverage flow rate and / or the beverage pressure along the beverage passage (26), and wherein a valve portion (31, 310, 311) is actuated by a second inertial body (310, 311) having a second center of inertia offset with respect to the process axis (30') to move the valve portion (31, 310, 311) by rotation, e.g. radially, towards a closed or open position, e.g. in an opposite direction to the movement by the first inertial body (31), wherein the first inertial body (31) and the second inertial body (310, 311) move the valve portion (31, 310, 311) when the material handling system (10, 20) is rotated at a first rotational speed and a second rotational speed, respectively, and the first rotational speed is different from the second rotational speed.

15. The capsule as the capsule (5b), A machine according to any one of claims 1 to 12, An implementation of the system according to claim 13, or Use for carrying out the method according to claim 14, comprising: The capsule (5b) held and rotated by means of said handling system (10, 20), the water (4') is supplied via the water inlet (24) and centrifuged together with the water (4') to produce the beverage (4); releasing the beverage (4) from the capsule (5b) via the beverage passage (26); The flow rate and / or pressure of the beverage (4) from the capsule (5b) is controlled along the beverage passage (26) by the valve (30) having the valve frame (300) and the valve part (31, 310, 311) movable relative to the valve frame, the valve part (31, 310, 311) having the first inertial body (31) with the first center of inertia offset with respect to the process axis (30'), and rotating the valve part (31, 310, 311) towards a closed or open position, e.g. radially, to control the beverage flow rate and / or beverage pressure along the beverage passage (26), and the valve 1. Use of a valve portion (31, 310, 311) actuated by a second inertial body (310, 311) having a second center of inertia offset with respect to the process axis (30') to move the valve portion (31, 310, 311) by rotation, e.g. radially, towards a closed or open position, e.g. in an opposite direction to the movement by the first inertial body (31), wherein the first inertial body (31) and the second inertial body (310, 311) move the valve portion (31, 310, 311) when the raw material handling system (10, 20) is rotated at a first rotational speed and a second rotational speed, respectively, and the first rotational speed is different from the second rotational speed.

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