Centrifugal chamber with capsule opening element

Abstract

The machine 1 is configured to prepare a beverage 4 from flavour raw materials 5a provided in a capsule 5b by mixing the flavour raw materials 5a in the capsule with water 4' in a processing cavity and centrifuging about a processing axis 30'. The machine has a handling system including a first ingredient handler 10 and a second ingredient handler 20 movable relative to each other from a capsule transfer configuration to a capsule processing configuration. The handling system has a beverage outlet 25 and a water inlet 24, the outlet and / or the inlet being associated with a capsule opener 24', 25' having an opening edge 24", 25" and a capsule opening direction 30" in which the opening edge and the capsule are moved relative to each other to open the capsule by the opening edge. The opener defines a fluid passage 24a', 24b', 25a', 25b' arranged behind the opening edge in the opening direction.

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 devices have been developed to facilitate the insertion of a "new" capsule and the removal of said capsule during use. Examples of such brewing devices are disclosed in EP 1646305, EP 1767129, WO 2009 / 043630, WO 2005 / 004683, and WO 2007 / 135136, WO 2014 / 056821. It is known to fasten the brewing chamber using a hook system, as disclosed for example in WO 2006 / 005755 and WO 2006 / 005756.

[0006] The opening of capsules using capsule openers is known, for example, from EP 0 512 470, EP 2 068 684, WO 02 / 00073, WO 02 / 35977, US 3 260 190, US 5 649 472, CH 605 293, EP 512 468, EP 242 556, WO 2013 / 026845, WO 2014 / 076041, WO 2015 / 022342, WO 2015 / 022344, WO 2015 / 022345 and WO 2015 / 144356.

[0007] The preparation of beverages using centrifugation is also known, and 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.

[0008] It has also been proposed to facilitate the handling of the capsules by a system for performing extraction on the capsules, 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.

[0009] Beverage preparation by centrifugation involves providing beverage (flavor) ingredients in capsules, e.g. powders and / or tea leaves, and rotating the capsule at a speed sufficient to ensure the liquid interacts with the ingredients while passing a liquid through the capsule and creating a pressure gradient of the liquid within the capsule. Such pressure gradually increases from the center of the capsule towards the periphery, creating a vortex flow relative to the capsule extracting the ingredients and forming 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. The capsules can be secured between opposing capsule handlers secured by a fastening device, as disclosed, for example, in WO 2012 / 007293, WO 2013 / 007776, WO 2013 / 007779, WO 2013 / 007780 and WO 2014 / 102048.

[0010] WO 2008 / 148646 and WO 2008 / 148650 describe beverage preparation devices, in which downstream of the receptacle, in particular the capsule, a flow restriction is created, 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 with the centrifugal brewing chamber. The valve leads to a collector forming a crema chamber, in which the beverage that has undergone the reduced pressure at the valve is adapted for pouring into a 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.

[0011] Capsule centrifugation for preparing coffee is commercialized by NESPRESSO® under the trademark VERTUO®.

[0012] It has been proposed to prepare the beverage by centrifugal processing along a horizontal axis.

[0013] 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 jaws then release the capsule when the enclosing parts are translated together to enclose 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 process is stopped and the enclosing part is translated relatively to an open position, thereby allowing the used capsule to fall out of the enclosing part. The jaws are then returned to the capsule-holding position. Further centrifugal beverage machines are disclosed in European Patent Application Publication Nos. 2021201687.7, 2021202356.8, 2021216919.7, 2021216927.0, 2021216930.4, 21216965.0, 2021216970.0 and 2021216976.7. Summary of the Invention

[0014] 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.

[0015] 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.

[0016] 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.

[0017] One aspect of the invention relates to a machine for preparing a beverage from flavour ingredients provided in a capsule in a processing cavity, the ingredients being mixed with water in the capsule, the ingredients and the water being centrifugally driven about a processing axis to form the beverage.

[0018] Centrifugal processes for preparing beverages are described, for example, in EP 2000062, EP 2155020, EP 2152128, WO 2008 / 148646, WO 2009 / 106175, WO 2009 / 106589, WO 2010 / 026045, WO 2010 / 026 053, 2010 / 066736, 2008 / 148650, 2008 / 148834, 2010 / 066705, 2010 / 063644, 2011 / 023711, 2014 / 096122 or 2014 / 096123.

[0019] 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.

[0020] 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.

[0021] 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).

[0022] 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.

[0023] The machine includes a rotatable ingredient handling system for holding the capsules and rotating the flavor ingredients and water during a centrifugal process about a process axis. The ingredient handling system includes at least one beverage outlet and at least one water inlet for providing water to the ingredients. The system includes a first ingredient handler and a second ingredient handler, the first ingredient handler and the second ingredient handler being configured to: from a raw material transfer arrangement for receiving raw material in capsules by the first capsule handler and the second capsule handler and / or for discharging capsules from the first raw material handler and the second raw material handler; into a raw material processing arrangement for centrifugal processing of the raw material and water in the capsule by rotation about a processing axis; And vice versa, are movable relative to each other.

[0024] During processing, the capsules may be collected in a capsule collector downstream from the handling system, for example as disclosed in WO 2009 / 074559 or WO 2009 / 135869.

[0025] The machine has a machine frame and / or housing that is stationary and supports the raw material handling system when the raw material handling system is rotated for centrifugation, for example, the first handler and the second handler are rotatably mounted to the frame and / or housing via one or more bearings, such as ball bearings.

[0026] One or more of the beverage outlet and the water inlet are associated with one or more capsule openers, such as a capsule piercer.

[0027] At least one such of the capsule openers has an opening edge and a capsule opening direction, along which at least one such opening edge and the capsule are moved relative to one another such that the opening edge opens the capsule when the capsule is received by the first and second raw material handlers, e.g., the opening direction is parallel or substantially parallel to the process axis.

[0028] The at least one opener defines a fluid passageway disposed in an opening direction behind the opening edge, and optionally, the opening edge forms a single slope having a height that increases against a rotational direction of the opening edge about the processing axis during centrifugal processing.

[0029] During rotation of the handling system, the water and the flavouring ingredients are centrifuged in the processing cavity about the processing axis. Water provided in the cavity is centrifuged about the processing axis at the water inlet.

[0030] The water supplied to the cavity and the water and ingredients mixed within the cavity are all centrifuged, resulting in a rotational flow of water whereby the water and beverage ingredients are typically subjected to a pressure direction radial to the processing axis.

[0031] Fluid flowing in the cavity near the opener typically has a significant circumferential velocity component relative to the cavity. Such circumferential velocity component increases with increasing rotational speed. The circumferential velocity component (and possibly the pressure gradient) at the opening, in combination with the asymmetric shape and orientation of the opener in the circumferential direction, affects the filtration of flavor ingredients at the opening formed by the capsule opener in the capsule.

[0032] Fluid may typically pass asymmetrically (circumferentially) around the opener behind the opening edge under the influence of centrifugal processing, with the opener face defining the fluid passageway, directing the flow, and / or exerting back pressure, e.g., the opener face is circumferentially asymmetric, such as being inclined or tilted along the circumferential direction.

[0033] The direction of the inclination or tilt of the opener can greatly affect the filtration of the desired raw material under a given rotation direction. Typically, a clockwise inclined or tilted opener has a significantly different filtration effect than a counterclockwise inclined or tilted opener.

[0034] This, on the one hand, affects the relationship between water and flavor ingredients, generating different preferential paths for them, as well as the nature of the flow of the supplied water, for example turbulence or flow straightness. As a result, the asymmetry of the passage relative to the opener affects the flow of water and flavor ingredients, as well as the flow of the incoming water. For example, the spread of the distribution of the water flowing into the cavity via the inlet can be affected and / or the turbulence of this water flow can be promoted (or inhibited). The flow path of the water and flavor ingredients towards the outlet can be influenced to separate the solid ingredients (for example coffee particles) from the water (increasing the filtering effect) or, conversely, to let the solid ingredients and the water flow and reduce filtering. Thus, a better control of the extraction process can be achieved in order to obtain the desired in-cup result.

[0035] The rotatable ingredient handling system can be configured to be centrifugally driven at a sufficient speed so that the water circulated within the capsule, together with the ingredient, is subjected to a gradually increasing pressure from the center of the capsule towards the periphery and creates a swirling flow about the capsule while extracting the ingredient to form an exiting liquid extract at the periphery of the capsule.

[0036] Such vortexes can affect the filtration of coffee fines and grounds.

[0037] The machine may incorporate a liquid drive, typically a pump, for driving water from a source, e.g. a water tank or a domestic water network, into the flavour raw materials. Such a pump may be a low pressure pump, e.g. in the range of 1 to 5 bar, e.g. 1.5 to 3 bar.

[0038] The fluid passages can be recessed in at least one opener asymmetrically about the opener with respect to the opening direction, for example circumferentially behind the opening edge with respect to the processing axis.

[0039] The fluid passage may be recessed into the at least one opener radially to the process axis behind the opening edge.

[0040] At least one opener can have a proximal side radially proximal to the process axis and a distal side radially distant from the process axis, the fluid passageway being defined by the distal side or the proximal side.

[0041] The fluid passage may be recessed into the at least one opener behind the opening edge in a direction that is annular with respect to the process axis.

[0042] At least one opener may have a front side that forms a front of the opener during rotation of the raw material handling system and may have a rear side that forms a rear of the opener during rotation of the raw material handling system, the fluid passage being defined by the front side or by the rear side.

[0043] The fluid passages are formed by bending the opener, machining the opener, and molding the opener; may be formed as a recess in the at least one opener by at least one of

[0044] One or more openers may combine one or more of the fluid passages described above.

[0045] The machine frame and / or housing may define a raw material supply passage configured to enable gravity feed of raw materials in capsules towards the rotatable raw material handling system, and a waste discharge passage configured to enable gravity discharge of waste, e.g. used capsules, from the rotatable raw material handling system.

[0046] The feed passage may be provided with a guide for guiding the capsule. The guide may be configured to cooperate with a complementary capsule shape, e.g. a capsule flange. The guide may form a recess and / or a rail. The guide may be associated with a capsule stop configured to fix the capsule at a level between the first and second raw material handlers, e.g. substantially coaxial with the processing axis. The stop, e.g. a capsule retainer, may be fixed to or integrated with the guide.

[0047] The guide, or a portion of the guide, may be mounted to be movable towards and away from the processing axis.

[0048] The feed passage may comprise two such guides opposite each other, such that the capsule is guided between the guides.

[0049] The guide or part thereof may be integral with or fixed to a resilient arm movable, e.g. by flexure, between a fixed position for fixing the capsule at a level between the first and second raw material handlers by the stop, and a release position for releasing the capsule from the stop.

[0050] The stop may be configured to be biased to the holding position or the releasing position by at least one of a first feedstock handler and a second feedstock handler movably mounted relative to the stop.

[0051] The stop may be located at or towards one end of a resilient arm having an opposite end at or towards which the arm is fixed to a machine frame and / or housing, or to a rotatable material handling system.

[0052] The resilient arms may be substantially wire-like and / or blade-like and / or may be made of metal, such as steel, and / or of a plastic material.

[0053] The machine may include a handler actuator, such as a motor or a user handle, configured to relatively move the first and second capsule handlers between a transport configuration and a processing configuration. The machine may have at least one fastener selectively movable between a fastening position, in which the first and second capsule handlers are fastened together in the processing configuration, and an unfastened position, in which the first and second capsule handlers are movable from the processing configuration to the transport configuration and / or vice versa. The fastener may be actuated to the fastening and / or unfastened position by the handler actuator. The fastener may be biased to the fastening or unfastened position, for example, by a resilient member, such as an elongated arm.

[0054] The handler actuator may be angularly stationary relative to the frame and / or housing about the process axis when the material handling system is rotated for centrifugal processing.

[0055] If present, the fasteners may be angularly stationary relative to the first feedstock handler and / or the second feedstock handler about the process axis, for example when the feedstock handling system is rotated for centrifugal processing.

[0056] The machine may include a fastener lock configured to lock the fastener in a fastened position and unlock the fastener such that the fastener is moved and / or movable to an unfastened position, for example, when the raw material handling system is rotated for centrifugal processing.

[0057] The handler actuator may be configured to drive the fastener lock from the fastener unlocked position to the fastener locked position when the first capsule handler and the second capsule handler are moved relatively to the processing configuration by the handler actuator, and / or from the fastener locked position to the fastener unlocked position before the first capsule handler and the second capsule handler are moved relatively from the processing configuration to the transfer configuration by the handler actuator.

[0058] The handler actuator may be configured to drive the fastener lock via a transmission device that is angularly stationary relative to the frame and / or housing about the process axis when the material handling system is rotated for centrifugal processing, e.g., the transmission device is translatable to drive the fastener lock between its fastener unlocked position and its fastener locked position, e.g., the transmission device is translatable parallel to the process axis.

[0059] The machine may incorporate a plurality of fasteners arranged about a processing axis, for example, peripherally about at least one of the first capsule handler and the second capsule handler. The fasteners may be integral with, fixed to, or assembled to the base.

[0060] The base may extend at least partially peripherally around one of the first capsule handler and the second capsule handler.

[0061] The base can be connected to the fasteners by at least one corresponding resilient member, for example, each fastener is connected to the base by a corresponding resilient member, whereby each resilient member connects one, two, or at most three fasteners to the base.

[0062] The machine may include a beverage passage, e.g. a beverage conduit, in fluid communication with the beverage outlet and configured to guide the beverage from the outlet towards the beverage dispense outlet. The passage may be associated with a valve, e.g. a centrifugal valve and / or an electrically operated valve, for controlling the flow rate and / or pressure of the beverage along the beverage passage.

[0063] The machine may include a beverage conditioner defining a regulation cavity between two surfaces, e.g., rotatably movable, relative to one another. The regulation cavity may be fluidly connected to the beverage passage. The regulation cavity may be configured to refine a beverage delivered from the beverage outlet via the beverage passage. A valve may be fluidly disposed between the beverage outlet and the regulation cavity.

[0064] 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 a process axis for centrifugation. The process axis may form an angle with such bottom in the range of 0°-60°, such as 0°-45°, such as 0°-30°, such as 0°-15°, typically substantially 0°.

[0065] The frame and / or housing can support a motor that is connected to the material handling system, for example, by a direct connection or via a transmission device such as at least one of a belt, such as a toothed belt, a gear, such as a spur gear, and a connecting rod.

[0066] The processing cavity may have a plurality of beverage outlets peripherally disposed in the processing cavity about a central processing axis, and / or may have a water inlet disposed in the processing cavity on or adjacent to the processing axis.

[0067] The invention also relates to a system comprising a machine as described above and a capsule containing a flavour ingredient.

[0068] A further aspect of the invention relates to a method for preparing a beverage in the above mentioned machine from flavour ingredients provided to the machine in a capsule. Another aspect of the invention relates to the use of the capsule, The use of such a device for handling by a machine, for implementing such a system, or for carrying out such a method.

[0069] In such a use or in the above-mentioned method, the capsule comprises: in a transfer configuration, provided between the first material handler and the second material handler; moving the first feedstock handler and the second feedstock handler relative to one another into the feedstock processing configuration; opened with an opener associated with the beverage outlet and the water inlet such that the opener defines a fluid passageway disposed in an opening direction behind an opening edge of the at least one opener; providing water in the processing cavity through the water inlet into the capsule, whereby the flavoring ingredients are centrifuged with the water in the processing cavity to form a beverage; Discharging the beverage through the beverage outlet and the beverage passage; The feedstock is released from the first and second handlers by relatively moving the first and second handlers from the feedstock processing configuration to the feedstock transport configuration. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0070] The invention will now be described with reference to schematic drawings. [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of a portion of a machine having a rotatable ingredient handling system and at least one capsule opener, according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2]FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of a portion of the handling system of the machine of FIG. 1, the handling system being in a raw material transfer configuration. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of a portion of the handling system of the machine of FIG. 1, the handling system being in an ingredient processing configuration without any ingredient capsules. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the handling system of the machine of FIG. 1 , the handling system being in an ingredient processing configuration with an ingredient capsule; [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a fastener of the exemplary machine of FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional top view of the handling system of the exemplary machine of FIG. 1, in which the handling system has a pair of guides in fixed positions, each guide associated with a capsule stop. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view from above of the handling system of the machine of FIG. 1, the handling system being in a processing configuration without any ingredient capsules. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of a portion of the machine of FIG. 1, with the handling system in an ingredient processing configuration and holding a capsule, the machine having a beverage conditioner and a heat conditioner. [Figure 9] 7 shows the guide in a fixed position of the machine shown in FIG. 6 together with the capsule. [Figure 10] 9 shows the guide of the machine shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 in the discharge position, without the capsule. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the ingredient handler fitted with a beverage outlet and corresponding capsule opener, as well as a water inlet with a corresponding capsule opener, where the capsule opener of the beverage outlet is bent (radially) towards the process axis to provide an opening of increased size in the capsule at the level of the opener. [Figure 12]FIG. 13 is a perspective view of several capsule openers (alternative to the one shown in FIG. 11) associated with one or more beverage outlets, where the capsule opener is bent tangentially (or annularly) about the processing axis to provide an opening of increased size in the capsule at the level of the opener. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of several capsule openers (as an alternative to the one shown in FIG. 11 ) associated with a water inlet, the capsule opener having a cross section that narrows radially to the processing axis at the level of the capsule upon opening of the capsule in order to provide an opening of increased size in the capsule at the level of the opener; [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of several capsule openers (as an alternative to those shown in FIGS. 11 and 13) associated with a water inlet, which have a cross section that is narrowed tangentially (or annularly) to the processing axis at the level of the capsule upon opening of the capsule, in order to provide an opening of increased size in the capsule at the level of the opener. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0071] 1 to 14 show an exemplary embodiment of a part of a machine 1 according to the invention as well as its components and variants.

[0072] The machine 1 is configured to prepare a beverage 4 from flavour ingredients 5a provided in capsules 5b in a processing cavity 5. The ingredients 5a are mixed with water 4' in the capsules 5b. The ingredients 5a and the water 4' are centrifugally driven about a processing axis 30' to form the beverage 4.

[0073] The machine 1 comprises a rotatable ingredient handling system 10, 20 for holding the capsule 5b and for rotating the flavour ingredient 5a and the water during a centrifugal process about a process axis 30'. The ingredient handling system 10, 20 has at least one beverage outlet 25 and at least one water inlet 24 for supplying the water 4' to the ingredient 5a. The system 10, 20 comprises a first ingredient handler 10 and a second ingredient handler 20, which are from a raw material transfer arrangement for receiving raw material 5a into capsules 5b by the first capsule handler 10 and the second capsule handler 20 and / or for releasing capsules 5b from the first raw material handler 10 and the second raw material handler 20; into a raw material processing arrangement for centrifugal processing of the raw material 5a and water 4' in the capsule 5b by rotation about a processing axis 30'; and vice versa.

[0074] The machine 1 has a machine frame and / or housing 40 that is stationary and supports the material handling systems 10, 20 as they are rotated for centrifugation. For example, the first handler 10 and the second handler 20 are rotatably mounted to the frame and / or housing 40 via one or more bearings 19, 29, such as ball bearings.

[0075] 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'.

[0076] At least one of the capsule openers 24', 25' has an opening edge 24'', 25'' and a capsule opening direction 30'', along which such at least one opening edge 24'', 25'' and the capsule 5b are moved relative to one another such that the opening edge 24'', 25'' opens the capsule 5b when the capsule 5b is received by the first and second raw material handlers 10, 20. The opening direction 30'' may be parallel or substantially parallel to the process axis 30'.

[0077] The at least one opener 24', 25' defines a fluid passageway 24a', 24b', 25a', 25b' disposed in an opening direction 30'' behind the opening edge 24'', 25''.

[0078] The opening edges 24'', 25'' may form a single slope having an increasing height relative to the direction of rotation of the opening edges 24'', 25'' about the processing axis 30' during centrifugation.

[0079] The rotatable ingredient handling system 10, 20 can be configured to be centrifugally driven at a sufficient speed so that the water 4' circulated within the capsule 5b together with the ingredients 5a is subjected to a gradually increasing pressure from the center towards the periphery of the capsule 5b and creates a vortex flow about the capsule 5b while extracting the ingredients 5a to form a liquid extract that flows out at the periphery of the capsule 5b.

[0080] The machine 1 typically comprises a liquid drive 6 for driving water 4' from a source 7, e.g. a water tank or a domestic water network, to the flavour raw materials 5a. For example, the liquid drive 6 is or comprises a pump, e.g. a low pressure pump in the range of 1-5 bar, such as 1.5-3 bar.

[0081] The fluid passages 24a', 24b', 25a', 25b' may be recessed into said at least one opener 24', 25' asymmetrically about the opener 24', 25' with respect to the opening direction 30''.

[0082] The fluid passages 24a' may be recessed into the at least one opener 24', radially relative to the process axis 30' behind the opening edge 24''.

[0083] The at least one opener 24', 25a' described above may have a proximal side 241, 251 radially proximal to the processing axis 30' and a distal side 242, 252 radially away from the processing axis 30', and the fluid passage 24a', 25a' is defined by the distal side 242 or the proximal side 251.

[0084] The fluid passages 24b', 25b' may be recessed into the at least one opener 24', 25' mentioned above in an annular direction relative to the process axis 30' behind the opening edge 24''.

[0085] At least one of the openers 24', 25' described above may have a front side 243, 253 forming the front of the opener 24', 25' during rotation of the raw material handling system 10, 20 and a rear side 244, 254 forming the rear of the opener 24', 25' during rotation of the raw material handling system, the fluid passage 24b', 25b' being defined by the front side 243 or the rear side 254.

[0086] The fluid passages 24a', 24b', 25b' can be formed as recesses in at least one of the above-mentioned openers 24', 25' by at least one of a curved opener 25', 25b' (e.g., preformed as a plate or blade), a machined opener 24', 24a', and a molded opener 24', 24b'.

[0087] The machine frame and / or housing 40 may define a raw material supply passage 60 configured to enable gravity feeding of raw materials 5a in capsules 5b towards the rotatable raw material handling system 10, 20, and may define a waste discharge passage 70 configured to enable gravity discharge of waste, e.g., used capsules 5b, from the rotatable raw material handling system 10, 20.

[0088] The feed passage 60 may be provided with guides 61, 61a for guiding the capsule 5b. The guides 61, 61a may be configured to cooperate with a complementary capsule shape, for example a capsule flange 5b'. The guides 61, 61a may form recesses and / or rails. The guides 61, 61a may be associated with a capsule stop 61b configured to fix the capsule 5b, for example substantially coaxially with the processing axis 30', at a level between the first raw material handler 10 and the second raw material handler 20. For example, the stop 61b, for example a capsule retainer, is fixed to the guides 61, 61a or is integral with the guides 61, 61a. The guides or parts thereof 61a may be mounted movably towards and away from the processing axis 30'.

[0089] The feed passage 60 may be provided with two such guides 61, 61a facing each other, such that the capsule 5b is guided between the guides 61, 61a.

[0090] The guide or part thereof 61a may be integral with or fixed to a resilient arm 61c which is movable, e.g. by flexure, between a fixing position for fixing the capsule 5b by the stop 61b at a level between the first raw material handler 10 and the second raw material handler 20, and a release position for releasing the capsule 5b from the stop 61b.

[0091] The stop 61b may be configured to be biased into a holding position or an ejecting position by at least one of a first feedstock handler 10 and a second feedstock handler 20 that are movably mounted relative to the stop 61b.

[0092] The stop 61b may be located at or towards one end 61c' of the resilient arm 61c. The resilient arm 61c may have an opposite end 61c'' at or towards which the arm 61c is fixed to the machine frame and / or housing 40 or to the rotatable material handling system 10, 20.

[0093] The resilient arm 61c may be substantially wire-like and / or blade-like and / or made of metal, for example steel, and / or of a plastic material.

[0094] The machine 1 may include a handler actuator 41, such as a motor or a user handle, configured to relatively move the first capsule handler 10 and the second capsule handler 20 between a transport configuration and a processing configuration.

[0095] The machine 1 may have at least one fastener 41' selectively movable between a fastening position, which fastens the first capsule handler 10 and the second capsule handler 20 together in a processing configuration, and an unfastened position, in which the first capsule handler 10 and the second capsule handler 20 are movable from the processing configuration to the transfer configuration and / or vice versa. The fastener 41' may be actuated to the fastened and / or unfastened position by a handler actuator 41. The fastener 41' may be biased to the fastened or unfastened position, for example by a resilient member 41", for example an elongated arm.

[0096] The handler actuator 41 may be angularly stationary relative to the frame and / or housing 40 about the process axis 30' when the material handling system 10, 20 is rotated for centrifugal processing.

[0097] If present, the fastener 41' may be angularly stationary relative to the first material handler 10 and / or the second material handler 20 about the process axis 30', for example when the material handling systems 10, 20 are rotated for centrifugal processing.

[0098] The machine 1 may include a fastener lock 41b configured to lock the fastener 41' in a fastened position and to unlock the fastener 41' such that the fastener 41' can be moved and / or moved to an unfastened position. The fastener lock 41b may be angularly stationary relative to the fastener 41' about the processing axis 30', for example, when the handling system 10, 20 is rotated for centrifugal processing.

[0099] The handler actuator 41 is from the fastener unlocked position to the fastener locked position, and / or after the first capsule handler 10 and the second capsule handler 20 have been moved relative to the processing configuration by the handler actuator 41. The fastener lock 41b may be configured to be driven from the fastener lock position to the fastener unlock position before the first capsule handler 10 and the second capsule handler 20 are moved relatively from the processing configuration towards the transport configuration by the handler actuator 41.

[0100] The handler actuator 41 may be configured to drive the fastener lock 41b via a transmission 41a that is angularly stationary relative to the frame and / or housing 40 about the process axis 30' when the material handling system 10, 20 is rotated for centrifugal processing. The transmission 41a may be translatable to drive the fastener lock 41b between its fastener unlocked position and its fastener locked position, e.g., the transmission 41a is movable parallel to the process axis 30'.

[0101] The machine 1 may include a number of fasteners 41' arranged around the processing axis 30', for example around at least one of the first capsule handler 10 and the second capsule handler 20. The fasteners 41' may be integral with the base 41''', fixed to the base 41''', or assembled to the base 41'''.

[0102] The base 41 ″″ may extend at least partially around one of the first capsule handler 10 and the second capsule handler 20 .

[0103] The base 41''' can be connected to the fasteners 41' by at least one corresponding resilient member 41''. Each fastener 41' may be connected to the base 41''' by a corresponding resilient member 41'', such that each resilient member 41'' connects one, two, or at most three fasteners 41' to the base 41''''.

[0104] The machine 1 may have a beverage passage 26, for example a beverage conduit, in fluid communication with the beverage outlet 25, the passage 26 configured to guide the beverage 4 from the outlet 25 towards a beverage dispensing outlet 54. The passage 26 may be associated with a valve 30, such as a centrifugal valve and / or an electrically operated valve, for controlling the flow rate and / or pressure of the beverage 4 along the beverage passage 26.

[0105] 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. The valve 30 may be fluidly arranged between the beverage outlet 25 and the conditioning cavity 51.

[0106] The frame and / or housing may include or be fixed to a bottom configured to rest on a support surface external to the machine 1 when the material handling system 10, 20 is rotated about a processing axis 30' for centrifugation. The external support surface may be formed by a table top. The processing axis 30' may form an angle with such bottom in the range of 0°-60°, such as 0°-45°, such as 0°-30°, such as 0°-15°, typically substantially 0°.

[0107] The frame and / or housing 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.

[0108] The processing cavity 5 may have a number of beverage outlets 25 arranged peripherally about the processing cavity 5 about a central processing axis 30'.

[0109] The processing cavity 5 may have a water inlet 24 located at or adjacent the processing cavity 5 to the processing axis 30'.

[0110] To operate machine 1, the following steps are performed: providing capsules 5b between a first material handler 10 and a second material handler 20 in a material transfer configuration; Relatively moving a first feedstock handler 10 with a capsule 5b and a second feedstock handler 20 from a transfer configuration to a feedstock processing configuration; opening the capsule 5b using a capsule opener 24', 25' associated with the beverage outlet 25 and / or the water inlet 24 such that at least one such opener 24', 25' defines a fluid passage 24a', 24b', 25a', 25b' arranged in an opening direction 30'' behind an opening edge 24'', 25'' of the at least one opener 24', 25'; supplying water 4' into the capsule 5b through the water inlet 24 in the processing cavity 5 and centrifuging the flavor raw material 5a together with the water 4' to produce a beverage 4; releasing the beverage 4 from the capsule 5b via the beverage outlet 25 and the beverage passage 26; Moving the first feedstock handler 10 and the second feedstock handler 20 relative to one another in the feedstock transfer configuration and ejecting the capsule 5b.

Claims

1. A machine (1) for preparing a beverage (4) from flavour raw materials (5a) provided in a capsule (5b) by mixing said flavour raw materials (5a) with water (4') in said capsule (5b) in a processing cavity (5) and centrifugally driving said flavour raw materials (5a) and said water (4') about a processing axis (30') to produce a beverage (4), said machine (1) comprising: A rotatable ingredient handling system (10, 20) for holding the capsule (5b) and for rotating the flavouring ingredients (5a) and water during a centrifugation process about the process axis (30'), the ingredient handling system (10, 20) having at least one beverage outlet (25) and at least one water inlet (24) for supplying the water (4') to the ingredient (5a), the system (10, 20) comprising a first ingredient handler (10) and a second ingredient handler (20), the first ingredient handler (10) and the second ingredient handler (20) being from a raw material transfer arrangement for receiving said raw material (5a) in said capsules (5b) by said first capsule handler (10) and said second capsule handler (20) and / or for releasing said capsules (5b) from said first raw material handler (10) and said second raw material handler (20), into a raw material processing arrangement for centrifugal processing of the raw material (5a) and water (4') in the capsule (5b) by rotation about the processing axis (30'), and vice versa, material handling systems (10, 20) movable relative to each other; a machine frame and / or housing (40) that is stationary and supports the raw material handling system (10, 20) when the raw material handling system (10, 20) is rotated for centrifugation, optionally a first said handler (10) and a second said handler (20) being rotatably mounted to the frame and / or housing (40) via one or more bearings (19, 29), such as ball bearings; 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'); a capsule opener (24', 25') having an opening edge (24", 25") and a capsule opening direction (30"), the opening edge (24", 25") and the capsule (5b) being moved relative to one another along the capsule opening direction (30") such that the capsule (5b) is opened by the at least one opening edge (24", 25") when the capsule (5b) is received by the first raw material handler (10) and the second raw material handler (20), the opening direction (30") being optionally parallel or substantially parallel to the processing axis (30'), the at least one opener (24', 25') defines a fluid passage (24a', 24b', 25a', 25b') arranged behind the opening edge (24'', 25'') in the opening direction (30''), and optionally the opening edge (24'', 25'') forms a single slope having a height that increases against the direction of rotation of the opening edge (24'', 25'') around the processing axis (30') during the centrifugal processing.

2. 2. The machine according to claim 1, wherein the rotatable raw material handling system (10, 20) is configured to be centrifugally driven at a sufficient speed so that the water (4') circulated in the capsule (5b) together with the raw material (5a) is subjected to a pressure that gradually increases from the center towards the periphery of the capsule (5b) and creates a vortex flow about the capsule (5b) while extracting the raw material (5a) and producing a liquid extract that flows out at the periphery of the capsule (5b).

3. A machine according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a liquid drive (6), typically a pump, e.g. a low pressure pump, e.g. in the range of 1 to 5 bar, such as 1.5 to 3 bar, for driving water (4') from a source (7), e.g. a water tank or a domestic water network, to said flavour raw materials (5a).

4. The machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the fluid passages (24a', 24b', 25a', 25b') are recessed in the at least one opener (24', 25') asymmetrically about the opener (24', 25') with respect to the opening direction (30'').

5. The machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the fluid passage (24a') is recessed in the at least one opener (24') behind the opening edge (24'') in a radial direction relative to the processing axis (30').

6. 6. The machine of claim 5, wherein the at least one opener (24', 25a') has a proximal side (241, 251) radially proximate to the processing axis (30') and a distal side (242, 252) radially away from the processing axis (30'), and the fluid passage (24a', 25a') is defined by the distal side (242) or the proximal side (251).

7. The machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the fluid passages (24b', 25b') are recessed into the at least one opener (24', 25') in a direction that is annular with respect to the processing axis (30') behind the opening edge (24'').

8. 8. The machine of claim 7, wherein the at least one opener (24', 25') has a front side (243, 253) forming a front portion of the opener (24', 25') during rotation of the material handling system (10, 20) and a rear side (244, 254) forming a rear portion of the opener (24', 25') during rotation of the material handling system, and the fluid passageway (24b', 25b') is defined by the front side (243) or the rear side (254).

9. The machine of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the fluid passages (24a', 24b', 25b') are formed as recesses in the at least one opener (24', 25') by at least one of bending the opener (25', 25b'), machining the opener (24', 24a'), and / or molding the opener (24', 24b').

10. the machine frame and / or housing (40) defines a raw material supply passage (60) configured to enable feeding of the raw material (5a) in the capsules (5b) by gravity towards the rotatable raw material handling system (10, 20), and a waste discharge passage (70) configured to enable discharge of waste, e.g. used capsules (5b), by gravity from the rotatable raw material handling system (10, 20); said feed passage (60) is provided with guides (61, 61a) for guiding said capsule (5b), said guides (61, 61a) being configured to cooperate with a complementary capsule shape, e.g. a capsule flange (5b'), said guides (61, 61a) forming, e.g., a recess and / or a rail, said guides (61, 61a) being associated with a capsule stop (61b) configured to fix said capsule (5b) at a level between said first material handler (10) and said second material handler (20), e.g. substantially coaxial with said processing axis (30'); Optionally, said stop (61b), e.g. a capsule holder, is fixed to or integral with said guide (61, 61a), said guide or part thereof (61a) being mounted so as to be movable towards and away from said processing axis (30'); and / or the supply passage (60) is provided with two guides (61, 61a) facing each other such that the capsule (5b) is guided between the guides (61, 61a); and / or 10. The machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide or part thereof (61a) is integral with or fixed to a resilient arm (61c) movable, e.g. by flexure, between a fixing position for fixing the capsule (5b) by means of the stop (61b) at a level between the first raw material handler (10) and the second raw material handler (20), and a release position for releasing the capsule (5b) from the stop (61b).

11. A machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, comprising a beverage passage (26), e.g. a beverage conduit, in fluid communication with the beverage outlet (25), the passage (26) configured to guide the beverage (4) from the outlet (25) towards a beverage dispensing outlet (54), the passage (26) optionally being associated with a valve (30), such as a centrifugal valve and / or an electrically operated valve, for controlling the flow rate and / or pressure of the beverage (4) along the beverage passage (26).

12. 12. The machine according to claim 11, comprising a beverage conditioner (50) defining a regulation cavity (51) between two surfaces (52, 53) which are movable, e.g. rotatably, relative to one another, said regulation cavity (51) being fluidly connected to said beverage passage (26), said regulation cavity (51) being configured to improve the beverage (4) delivered from said beverage outlet (25) via said beverage passage (26), said valve (30) being, e.g. fluidly arranged between said beverage outlet (25) and said regulation cavity (51).

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: feeding said capsules (5b) between said first raw material handler (10) and said second raw material handler (20) in said raw material transfer configuration; moving said first raw material handler (10) and said second raw material handler (20) together with said capsule (5b) relatively from said transfer configuration to said raw material processing configuration; opening the capsule (5b) using the one or more capsule openers (24', 25') associated with the one or more of the beverage outlets (25) and the water inlets (24), such that the at least one opener (24', 25') defines a fluid passage (24a', 24b', 25a', 25b') arranged in the opening direction (30'') behind the opening edge (24'', 25'') of the at least one opener (24', 25'); supplying the water (4') into the capsule (5b) through the water inlet (24) 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 outlet (25) and the beverage passage (26); moving said first feedstock handler (10) and said second feedstock handler (20) relative to said feedstock transfer arrangement to eject said capsule (5b).

15. The capsule as the capsule (5b), Handling by 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) provided between the first material handler (10) and the second material handler (20) in the transfer configuration; said first raw material handler (10) and said second raw material handler (20) are brought into said raw material handling configuration by moving said handlers (10, 20) relative to said raw material handling configuration; opened by means of one or more capsule openers (24', 25') associated with one or more of the beverage outlets (25) and the water inlets (24), such that the at least one opener (24', 25') defines a fluid passageway (24a', 24b', 25a', 25b') arranged in the opening direction (30'') behind the opening edge (24'', 25'') of the at least one opener (24', 25'); supplying the water (4') into the capsule (5b) through the water inlet (24) in the processing cavity (5), whereby the water (4') is supplied to the processing cavity (5) and the flavouring ingredients (5a) are centrifuged together with the water (4') to produce the beverage (4); Discharging the beverage (4) through the beverage outlet (25) and the beverage passage (26); use, where the first and second raw material handlers (10) and (20) are released from the first and second handlers (10) and (20) by moving the first and second raw material handlers (10) and (20) relatively from the raw material processing configuration to the raw material transfer configuration.

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