Beverage preparation with compact conditioning chamber

Abstract

The machine (1) is configured to prepare a beverage (4) from raw materials (5a) in a processing cavity (5) by mixing the raw materials (5a) with water (4') and centrifugally driving such raw materials (5a) together with the water (4') about a processing axis (30'). The machine (1) comprises a rotatable raw material handling system (10, 20) for holding and rotating the flavour raw materials (5a) and the water during centrifugation about the processing axis (30'), the raw material handling system (10, 20) having a beverage outlet (25) and a water inlet (24), and a beverage conditioner (50) in fluid communication with the beverage outlet (25) and downstream thereof, the beverage conditioner (50) comprising a conditioning cavity (51) in which the beverage (4) provided from the outlet (25) is prepared. The conditioning cavity (51) is at least partially offset relative to the processing cavity (5) along the processing axis (30').

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.

[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 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 controlled by the inertia of the machine that rotates with the centrifugal brewing chamber. The valve leads to a collector forming a crema chamber, in which the beverage subjected to the reduced pressure at the valve is refined for dispensing into the user's receptacle, for example a cup or mug. Such collection chambers are typically arranged around the centrifugal brewing chamber, as disclosed, for example, 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) an in-line heater and / or cooler for thermal conditioning a flow of liquid to be passed through the flavor raw materials, or a batch heater and / or cooler for passing a liquid thermally conditioned by the batch heater and / or cooler through the flavor raw materials; c) a pump for pumping liquid to the flavor raw material, in particular a low pressure pump (for example in the range of 1 to 5 bar, such as 1.5 to 3 bar); d) a motor for driving the flavor ingredients in rotation during beverage preparation; e) an electronic control unit, in particular comprising a printed circuit board (PCB), for receiving instructions from a user through an input user interface and for controlling the heaters and / or coolers, pumps and motors; and f) one or more sensors for sensing at least one characteristic selected from characteristics of the fluid system, the heater and / or cooler, the pump, the liquid tank, the raw material collector, the flow of the liquid (e.g., via a flow meter), the pressure of the liquid, and the temperature of the liquid, and for communicating said characteristic to the control unit.

[0018] Where flavour ingredients are provided in the capsule, the capsule may have a body containing the ingredients and a peripheral projecting flange, for example a body in the shape of a cup and a lid covering and extending beyond the mouth of the cup and forming a peripheral 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 capsules as mentioned above, during centrifugation around a processing axis, The ingredient handling system comprises at least one beverage outlet and at least one water inlet for supplying the flavouring ingredients with water.

[0022] 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.

[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 includes a beverage conditioner in fluid communication with the at least one beverage outlet and downstream thereof, the beverage conditioner including a conditioning cavity in which the beverage delivered from the outlet is prepared, the conditioning cavity extending around the process axis and leading to a beverage outlet passage, e.g. an outlet conduit.

[0025] 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.

[0026] Typically, the beverage conditioner is in communication with a beverage outlet passage, such as the beverage outlet passage described above, and is configured to dispense a beverage into a user receptacle, such as a cup or mug.

[0027] 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.

[0028] The frame and / or housing may include or be fixed to a bottom 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, the process axis forming 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°.

[0029] The frame and / or housing may support a motor that is connected to the raw material handling system, for example, by a direct connection or via a transmission device, such as a belt, such as a toothed belt, a gear, such as a spur gear, and / or a connecting rod, etc. Thus, rotation of the raw material handling system about the process axis during centrifugation may be achieved by such a motor.

[0030] The adjustment cavity is at least partially offset relative to the processing cavity along the processing axis. For example, the processing cavity is offset by a distance of at least 25% of the total axial length of the adjustment cavity, for example at least 50% of the total axial length, for example at least 75% of the total axial length. The adjustment cavity may also be completely offset relative to the processing cavity along the processing axis, for example relative to the handling system.

[0031] Providing such an axially offset arrangement between the conditioning cavity and the processing cavity allows for increased design freedom, for example as outlined below.

[0032] The diameter of the conditioning cavity may be reduced to a size equal to or smaller than the diameter of the processing cavity, which may be used to reduce the width and / or height of the machine.

[0033] The central portion of the beverage conditioner that is not occupied by the processing cavity may be used to provide additional functions, such as beverage overflow management.

[0034] The cumulative axial length of the beverage conditioner and processing cavity typically increases with a decrease in its maximum diameter, which results in a better distribution of the mass of the beverage conditioner and processing cavity along its length and a decrease in inertia, thus improving the stability of the conditioner and processing cavity during centrifugation while reducing vibrations and / or mechanical stresses caused by rotation and / or undesirable effects on beverage quality.

[0035] The processing cavity can extend about the processing axis to a maximum processing distance from the processing axis. The adjustment cavity can extend about the processing axis to a maximum adjustment distance from the processing axis. The adjustment distance is less than or equal to the processing distance. For example, the adjustment distance can be 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.

[0036] Therefore, in this configuration, the adjustment cavity does not have to extend around the processing cavity, as known from the prior art, with a corresponding increase in the diameter of the machine around the processing cavity, as described above for example, which may open up the possibility of designing a machine that is thinner at and near the processing cavity than prior art machines.

[0037] The conditioning cavity may be fully offset relative to the processing cavity along the processing axis. The beverage conditioner may be fully offset relative to the rotatable ingredient handling system.

[0038] The beverage conditioner may include an overflow cavity in fluid communication with the conditioning cavity, such overflow cavity being advantageously configured for storing the beverage prior to its conditioning when the conditioning cavity is filled with the beverage being conditioned.

[0039] The overflow cavity may extend from the adjustment cavity towards the process axis 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.

[0040] The beverage outlet passage may be connected to the regulation cavity at a height corresponding to or above the top of the overflow cavity.

[0041] Thus, filling the overflow cavity with unconditioned beverage in excess of the capacity of the conditioning cavity may be preferred over allowing such unconditioned beverage to exit the beverage conditioner via the beverage outlet passage without proper conditioning.

[0042] The tuning cavity may be defined by an outermost substantially cylindrical surface and / or an inner substantially cylindrical surface.

[0043] 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.

[0044] 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.

[0045] 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.

[0046] 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.

[0047] The beverage outlet and the beverage preparation cavity may be fluidly connected by a beverage passage, for example a beverage conduit.

[0048] The water conduit may extend at least partially along the process axis, for example concentrically along the process axis.

[0049] The beverage conduit may be associated with valves, such as centrifugal valves and / or motorized valves, optionally within the processing cavity and / or the regulating cavity, to control the flow and / or pressure of the beverage along the beverage passage.

[0050] The processing cavity may have a plurality of beverage outlets circumferentially disposed about the processing cavity about a central processing axis.

[0051] Each of the circumferentially disposed beverage outlets is in fluid communication with a beverage passageway which may extend from the outlet with which it is in communication towards the process axis.

[0052] A number or all of the beverage outlets may be in fluid communication with a common beverage passage in a funnel-shaped configuration.

[0053] A number or all of the beverage outlets may, for example, extend along a central process axis and therefore be in fluid communication with a corresponding number of beverage conduits that merge with one another at the central process axis.

[0054] The water inlet may be located in the processing cavity on or adjacent to the processing axis.

[0055] 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.

[0056] The water conduits may extend at least partially along the process axis, for example concentrically or adjacently along the process axis.

[0057] The water conduit may be associated with at least one of a thermal regulator, e.g. a heater and / or a cooler, for thermally conditioning the water, and optionally, by being fixed thereto or integrated therewith, a beverage regulator, a water drive, e.g. a pump, for driving the water towards the processing cavity, and a sensor for sensing properties of the water, e.g. a flow sensor and / or a temperature sensor and / or a pressure sensor.

[0058] The beverage passage and the water conduit may extend adjacent to one another or may extend one within the other concentrically, for example so that the beverage passage surrounds the water conduit, or vice versa.

[0059] One or more of the beverage outlet and / or water inlets may be associated with one or more capsule (eg inlet and / or outlet) openers, such as capsule piercers.

[0060] 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 rotationally driven, for example, about the processing axis.

[0061] The invention also relates to a system comprising a capsule processing machine as described above and capsules containing flavour ingredients.

[0062] Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for preparing a beverage in a machine as described above from flavour ingredients provided in a capsule to the machine, the method comprising the steps of: holding and rotating the capsule with a handling system; supplying water into the capsule in the processing cavity via the water inlet and centrifuging the flavor ingredients together with the water to produce a beverage; and expelling the beverage via the beverage outlet towards the regulating cavity.

[0063] The processing cavity extends about the processing axis to a maximum processing distance from the processing axis, and the adjustment cavity extends about the processing axis to a maximum adjustment distance from the processing axis, the adjustment distance being less than or equal to the processing distance.

[0064] A further aspect of the invention relates to the use of a capsule as a capsule as described above for a machine as described above, for implementing a system as described above or for carrying out a method as described above, when the machine has a processing cavity configured to hold the capsule. The capsule is held and rotated using a handling system, and is configured to be supplied with water via a water inlet in the processing cavity, and for centrifuging the flavouring ingredients together with the water, thereby producing a beverage, and for discharging the beverage via a beverage outlet towards a conditioning cavity. The processing cavity extends around a processing axis to a maximum processing distance from the processing axis. The conditioning cavity extends around a processing axis to a maximum conditioning distance from the processing axis. The conditioning distance is less than or equal to the processing distance. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0065] The invention will now be described with reference to schematic drawings. [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a portion of a machine having a centrifugal processing cavity and a conditioning cavity according to the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway perspective view of the centrifugal processing cavity and the conditioning cavity shown in FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a capsule handling device and part of a beverage preparation machine of the machine shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0066] 1 to 3 show an exemplary embodiment of a machine 1 according to the invention.

[0067] The machine 1 is configured to prepare a beverage 4 from ingredients 5a in a processing cavity 5 by mixing flavour ingredients 5a with water 4' and centrifugally driving such ingredients 5a and water 4' about a processing axis 30' to form a beverage 4. The processing cavity 5 may be arranged to hold the ingredients 5a as they are delivered into the capsule 5b.

[0068] 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.

[0069] The system 10, 20 may have a first raw material handler 10 and a second raw material handler 20 that are movable one relative to the other from a raw material transfer configuration for receiving raw material 5a by the first and second capsule handlers 10, 20 and / or discharging raw material 5a from the first and second raw material handlers 10, 20, to a raw material processing configuration for centrifuging raw material 5a and water by rotation about a processing axis 30', and vice versa.

[0070] The machine 1 comprises a beverage conditioner 50 in fluid communication with at least one beverage outlet 25 and downstream thereof. The beverage conditioner 50 comprises a conditioning cavity 51 in which the beverage 4 delivered from the outlet 25 is prepared.

[0071] Typically, the beverage outlet passage 54 is configured to dispense the beverage 4 into a user receptacle, such as a cup or mug.

[0072] The machine 1 includes 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.

[0073] The frame and / or housing 40 may be provided with or may be fixed to a bottom, the bottom being configured to rest on a support surface external to the machine 1, e.g. an external support surface formed by a table top, when the raw material handling system 10, 20 is rotated about the processing axis 30' for centrifugation, the processing axis 30' forming an angle with the bottom in the range of 0° to 80°, e.g. 0° to 45°, e.g. 0° to 30°, e.g. 0° to 15°, typically substantially 0°.

[0074] The frame and / or housing 40 may support a motor 2 which is connected to the material handling system 10, 20, for example by a direct connection or via a transmission device 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.

[0075] The conditioning cavity 51 is at least partially offset along the processing axis 30' relative to the processing cavity 5, optionally offset by a distance 50' of at least 25% of the total axial length 53' of the conditioning cavity 51, such as at least 50% of the total axial length 53', such as at least 75% of the total axial length. For example, the conditioning cavity (51 is completely offset along the processing axis 30' relative to the conditioning cavity 51, e.g. relative to the handling system 10, 20.

[0076] The processing cavity 5 can extend around the processing axis 30' from the processing axis 30' to a maximum processing distance 5'. The adjustment cavity 51 can extend around 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'.

[0077] 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.

[0078] 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.

[0079] 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.

[0080] For example, the overflow cavity 51 a may extend to one or both ends of the regulator 50 , and optionally, may extend to an intermediate portion of the regulator 50 .

[0081] 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.

[0082] The tuning cavity 51 may be defined by an outermost substantially cylindrical surface 52 and / or an inner substantially cylindrical surface 53 .

[0083] 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.

[0084] 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.

[0085] 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.

[0086] 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.

[0087] The beverage outlet 25 and the beverage preparation cavity 51 may be fluidly connected by a beverage passage 26, for example a beverage conduit.

[0088] The beverage conduit 26 may extend at least partially along, for example concentrically the process axis 30'.

[0089] The beverage conduit 26 may be associated with a valve 27, such as a centrifugal valve and / or an electric valve 27, optionally within the processing cavity 5 and / or within the regulation cavity 51, to control the flow and / or pressure of the beverage 4 along the beverage passage 2.

[0090] 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'.

[0091] Each of the circumferentially arranged beverage outlets 25 may be in fluid communication with a beverage passage 26 that may extend from the associated outlet 25 towards the process axis 30'. For example, a number or all of the beverage outlets 25 are in fluid communication with a common beverage passage in a funnel-shaped configuration.

[0092] A number or all of the beverage outlets 25 may optionally extend along a central process axis 30' and thus be in fluid communication with a corresponding number of beverage conduits 26 that merge with one another at the central process axis 30'.

[0093] The water inlet 24 may be located in the treatment cavity 5 on or adjacent to the treatment axis 30'.

[0094] The water inlet 24 may be fluidly connected via an upstream water conduit 28 to a water source, such as a water tank or a water distribution network.

[0095] The water conduits 28 may extend at least partially along the axis 30', for example concentrically or adjacently therearound.

[0096] The water conduit 28 may be associated with at least one of a thermal regulator 55, such as a heater and / or a cooler, for thermally conditioning the water 4', a water driver, such as a pump, for driving the water 4' towards the processing cavity 5, and a sensor, such as a flow sensor and / or a temperature sensor and / or a pressure sensor, for sensing properties of the water 4'.

[0097] The beverage passage 26 and the water conduit 28 may extend adjacent to one another or one within the other, for example concentrically. For example, the beverage passage 26 may surround the water conduit 28 or vice versa.

[0098] One or more of the beverage outlet 25 and the water inlet 24 may be associated with one or more capsule openers 24', 25', such as capsule piercers 24', 25'.

[0099] The conditioning cavity 51 may include at least one surface, such as an inner surface 53, that is driven together with the raw material handling system 10, 20 when rotated for centrifugation. For example, such a surface 53 may be rotationally driven about the process axis 30'.

Claims

1. 1. A machine (1) for preparing a beverage (4) from flavor ingredients (5a) by mixing the flavor ingredients (5a) with water (4') in a processing cavity (5), such as a cavity (5) for holding the flavor ingredients (5a) provided in a capsule (5b), to produce the beverage (4), and centrifugally driving the flavor ingredients (5a) and the water (4') about a processing axis (30'), the machine (1) comprising: a rotatable ingredient handling system (10, 20) for holding and rotating said flavor 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 raw material handler (10) and a second raw material handler (20), wherein the first raw material handler (10) and the second raw material handler (20) from a raw material transfer arrangement for receiving said raw material (5a) by said first raw material handler (10) and said second raw material 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 relative to the other to and from a raw material processing arrangement for centrifuging the raw material (5a) and water by rotation about the processing axis (30'); a beverage conditioner (50) in fluid communication with the at least one beverage outlet (25) and downstream thereof, the beverage conditioner (50) comprising a conditioning cavity (51) in which the beverage (4) delivered from the outlet (25) is prepared, the conditioning cavity (51) extending around the processing axis (30') and leading to a beverage outlet passage (54), e.g. an outlet conduit; 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); Optionally, the frame and / or housing comprises: and / or a bottom part or part fixed to a bottom part, the bottom part being adapted to rest on a support surface external to the machine (1), for example an external support surface formed by a tabletop, when the material handling system (10, 20) is rotated about the processing axis (30') for centrifugation, the processing axis (30') forming an angle with the bottom part in the range of 0° to 80°, for example 0° to 45°, for example 0° to 30°, for example 0° to 15°, typically substantially 0°; and / or A machine (1) supporting a motor (2) connected to the material handling system (10, 20), for example by direct connection or via a transmission device (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, the adjustment cavity (51) is at least partially offset relative to the processing cavity (5) along the processing axis (30'), 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 (53'), e.g. the adjustment cavity (51) is completely offset relative to the adjustment cavity (51) along the processing axis (30'), e.g. relative to the handling system (10, 20).

2. 2. The machine according to claim 1, wherein the processing cavity (5) extends around the processing axis (30') to a maximum processing distance (5') from the processing axis (30'), and the adjustment cavity (51) extends around the processing axis (30') to a maximum adjustment distance (51') from the processing axis (30'), the adjustment distance (51') being less than or equal to the processing distance (5'), for example the adjustment distance (51') being in the range of 50-100% of the processing distance (5'), such as at least 75%, for example at least 85%, for example at least 90% of the processing distance (5').

3. 2. The machine of claim 1, wherein the conditioning cavity (51) is completely offset relative to the processing cavity (5) along the processing axis (30'), e.g., the beverage conditioner (50) is completely offset relative to the rotatable ingredient handling system (10, 20).

4. The beverage conditioner (50) comprises an overflow cavity (51 a) in fluid communication with the conditioning cavity (51) for storing the unconditioned beverage (4) when the conditioning cavity (51) is filled with the beverage (4) being prepared, and optionally the overflow cavity (51a) extends from the adjustment cavity (51) towards the processing axis (30') to a distance of less than 75%, such as less than 60%, such as less than 40%, such as less than 25% of the distance from the processing axis (30') to the adjustment cavity (51); and / or the beverage outlet passage (54) is connected to the regulation cavity (51) at a height corresponding to or above the top of the overflow cavity (51a); 10. The machine of claim 1.

5. 2. The machine of claim 1, wherein the adjustment cavity (51) is defined by an outermost substantially cylindrical surface (52) and / or an inner substantially cylindrical surface (53).

6. said outermost substantially cylindrical surface (52) and said inner substantially cylindrical surface (53), one surface (53) being rotatable relative to the other surface (52) about said processing axis (30') during centrifugation; and optionally one of the surfaces (52), e.g., the outermost surface (52), is stationary relative to the machine frame and / or housing (40), and the other surface (53), e.g., the inner surface (53), is optionally fixed at an angle to the material handling system (10, 20) during centrifugation; and / or the outermost substantially cylindrical surface (52) and the inner substantially cylindrical surface (53) are sufficiently close to each other to create a shear effect, such as a Couette flow, a Taylor flow, a vortex flow, or a turbulent flow, in the beverage (4) contained in the regulating cavity (51); For example, the outermost surface (52) and the inner surface (53) are spaced apart by a distance of less than 5 mm, such as less than 3 mm, for example less than 2 mm.

6. The machine of claim 5.

7. The beverage outlet (25) and the regulation cavity (51) are fluidly connected by a beverage passage (26), for example a beverage conduit such as a beverage conduit (26), the beverage conduit (26) comprising: extend at least partially along said processing axis (30'), for example concentrically along said processing axis (30'); and / or optionally associated in said processing cavity (5) and / or in said regulating cavity (51) with a valve (27), such as a centrifugal valve and / or an electrically operated valve (27), for controlling the flow and / or pressure of said beverage (4) along said beverage passage (26); For example, the processing cavity (5) may have a plurality of beverage outlets (25) arranged circumferentially about the central processing axis (30') in the processing cavity (5), and optionally each circumferentially arranged beverage outlet (25) is in fluid communication with a beverage passage (26) extending from the outlet (25) with which it communicates towards the processing axis (30'), e.g., several or all of the beverage outlets (25) are in fluid communication with a common beverage passage of funnel-shaped configuration; and / or a plurality of or all of said beverage outlets (25) optionally extending along said central processing axis (30') so as to be in fluid communication with a corresponding plurality of beverage conduits which merge with one another at said central processing axis (30'); 10. The machine of claim 1.

8. 2. The machine according to claim 1, wherein the water inlet (24) is arranged in the treatment cavity (5) on or adjacent to the treatment axis (30').

9. The water inlet (24) is fluidly connected to a water source, e.g., a water tank or a water distribution network, via an upstream water conduit (28), e.g., the water conduit (28) comprises: extend at least partially along said processing axis (30'), for example concentrically or adjacently along said processing axis (30'); and / or a thermal regulator (55), e.g. a heater and / or a cooler, for thermal conditioning of the water (4'), and optionally associated with at least one of the beverage conditioner (50), fixed to or integrated with the thermal regulator (55), a water driver, e.g. a pump, for driving the water (4') towards the treatment cavity (5), and sensors for sensing properties of the water (4'), e.g. a flow sensor and / or a temperature sensor and / or a pressure sensor, 10. The machine of claim 1.

10. The beverage outlet (25) and the adjustment cavity (51) are fluidly connected by a beverage passage (26), for example a beverage conduit such as a beverage conduit (26), and the beverage conduit (26) extend at least partially along said processing axis (30'), for example concentrically along said processing axis (30'); and / or optionally associated in said processing cavity (5) and / or in said regulating cavity (51) with a valve (27), such as a centrifugal valve and / or an electrically operated valve (27), for controlling the flow and / or pressure of said beverage (4) along said beverage passage (26); For example, the processing cavity (5) may have a plurality of beverage outlets (25) arranged circumferentially about the central processing axis (30') in the processing cavity (5), and optionally each circumferentially arranged beverage outlet (25) is in fluid communication with a beverage passage (26) extending from the outlet (25) with which it communicates towards the processing axis (30'), e.g., several or all of the beverage outlets (25) are in fluid communication with a common beverage passage of funnel-shaped configuration; and / or a plurality of or all of said beverage outlets (25) optionally extending along said central processing axis (30') so as to be in fluid communication with a corresponding plurality of beverage conduits which merge with one another at said central processing axis (30'); 10. A machine as claimed in claim 9, wherein the beverage passage (26) and the water conduit (28) extend adjacent to each other or one within the other, for example concentrically, for example the beverage passage (26) surrounding the water conduit (28) or vice versa.

11. 2. The machine of claim 1, wherein one or more of the beverage outlet (25) and the water inlet (24) are associated with one or more capsule openers (24', 25'), such as capsule piercers (24', 25').

12. 2. The machine according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment cavity (51) comprises at least one surface, such as an inner surface (53), which is driven together with the raw material handling system (10, 20) when rotated for centrifugation, the at least one surface (53) being driven in rotation, for example around the processing axis (30').

13. A system comprising a capsule processing machine (1) according to claim 1 and said capsules (5b) containing said flavour ingredients (5a).

14. 2. A method for preparing the beverage (4) from the flavor ingredients (5a) supplied to the machine (1) in the capsule (5b) according to claim 1, comprising: 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 flavor ingredients (5a) together with the water (4') to produce the beverage (4); and and releasing the beverage (4) through the beverage outlet (25) towards the regulating cavity (51), the processing cavity (5) extends around the processing axis (30') to a maximum processing distance (5') from the processing axis (30'), and the adjustment cavity (51) extends around the processing axis (30') to a maximum adjustment distance (51') from the processing axis (30'), the adjustment distance (51') being less than or equal to the processing distance (5'); method.

15. The capsule as the capsule (5b), A machine according to any one of claims 1 to 12, in which the machine (1) has the processing cavity (5) adapted to hold the capsules (5b). An implementation of the system according to claim 13, or Use for carrying out the method according to claim 14, The capsule (5b) held and rotated using said handling system (10, 20), The water (4') is supplied through the water inlet (24) in the processing cavity (5), and the flavor ingredients (5a) are centrifuged together with the water (4'), thereby producing the beverage (4); configured to release the beverage (4) through the beverage outlet (25) towards the regulation cavity (51); the processing cavity (5) extends around the processing axis (30') to a maximum processing distance (5') from the processing axis (30'), and the adjustment cavity (51) extends around the processing axis (30') to a maximum adjustment distance (51') from the processing axis (30'), the adjustment distance (51') being less than or equal to the processing distance (5'); Use of capsules.

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