Centrifugal beverage chamber with closure fastener - Patents.com

Abstract

The machine 1 is configured to prepare a beverage 4 from flavour raw materials by mixing flavour raw materials 5a in a processing cavity 5 with water 4' and centrifuging them about a processing axis 30'. The machine has a raw material handling system having a beverage outlet 2) and a water inlet 24. The system comprises a first raw material handler 10 and a second raw material handler 20 movable relative to each other from a raw material transfer configuration to a raw material processing configuration. The machine has a handler actuator 41 configured to relatively move the first capsule handler and the second capsule handler between the transfer configuration and the processing configuration, and at least one fastener 41' selectively movable to a fastening position and an unfastening position for fastening the first capsule handler and the second capsule handler to each other in the processing configuration. The fastener is actuated to the fastening and / or unfastening position by the handler actuator.

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 1 767 129, WO 2009 / 043630, WO 2005 / 004683 and WO 2007 / 135136. 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 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] The preparation of beverages using a centrifugal process 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 liquid's interaction 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 of the capsule towards the periphery. As the liquid passes through the ingredients, such as the coffee layer, extraction of the ingredients, such as the coffee mixture, occurs, resulting in a liquid extract that flows out at the periphery of the capsule. Examples of such systems are disclosed in WO 2008 / 148601, WO 2013 / 007776, WO 2013 / 007779, WO 2013 / 007780, WO 2017 / 046294, WO 2017 / 068134 and WO 2017 / 202746. WO 2021 / 122502 discloses a centrifugal beverage machine having a rotatable valve arrangement for controlling the flow rate of water towards a centrifugal beverage mixing chamber. 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 pressure reduction 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] It has been proposed to prepare the beverage by centrifugal processing along a horizontal axis.

[0012] 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

[0013] 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 into a user's mug.

[0014] 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.

[0015] 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.

[0016] 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.

[0017] 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.

[0018] 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.

[0019] 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.

[0020] 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).

[0021] 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.

[0022] The machine comprises a rotatable ingredient handling system for holding and rotating the flavouring ingredients and water contained in, for example, the above-mentioned capsules about a processing axis during the centrifugal process, the ingredient handling system comprising at least one beverage outlet and at least one water inlet for supplying water to the flavouring ingredients, for example, in the above-mentioned capsules.

[0023] The handling system includes a first material handler and a second material handler, the first material handler and the second material handler being: 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; into a raw material processing arrangement for centrifugal processing of flavor raw materials and water by rotation about a processing axis; And vice versa, are movable relative to each other.

[0024] 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.

[0025] The machine has a handler actuator, such as a motor or a user handle, configured to relatively move the first capsule handler and the second capsule handler between a transport configuration and a processing configuration, for example via a two-lever.

[0026] The machine includes at least one fastener selectively movable between a fastening position which fastens the first capsule handler and the second capsule handler to each other in a processing configuration and an unfastened position in which the first capsule handler and the second capsule handler are moveable from the processing configuration to a transfer configuration and / or vice versa.

[0027] 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.

[0028] The fasteners are actuated to a fastening position and / or an unfastened position by a handler actuator.

[0029] For example, the fastener may be biased into the fastened or unfastened position by, for example, a resilient member, for example in the form of an elongated arm.

[0030] 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.

[0031] The fastener may be angularly stationary about the process axis relative to the first material handler and / or the second material handler, for example when the material handling system is rotated for centrifugal processing.

[0032] Providing one or more fasteners operated by such an actuator is used instead of maintaining a closure force between the first and second material handlers by using the actuator itself, typically by clamping the handlers together, and may avoid and / or reduce mechanical over-constraint situations on the bearings, e.g., ball bearings, used to position the first and second handlers, and / or allow a reduction in the number of such bearings. Also, the power supply to actuators, e.g., motors, that rotate the first and second handlers for centrifugation may be reduced, and the actuators themselves may be smaller, since there are likely to be fewer adverse constraints to overcome.

[0033] The machine may include a fastener lock configured to lock the fastener in a fastened position and configured to unlock the fastener such that the fastener is moved and / or movable to an unfastened position. For example, the fastener lock may be angularly stationary about the process axis relative to the fastener when the raw material handling system is rotated for centrifugal processing.

[0034] The handler actuator is from the fastener unlocked position to the fastener locked position after the first capsule handler and the second capsule handler are moved relative to the processing arrangement by the handler actuator, and / or The fastener lock may be configured to be actuated from the fastener locked position to the fastener unlocked position before the first capsule handler and the second capsule handler are moved relative to one another from the processing configuration towards the transfer configuration by the handler actuator.

[0035] 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 when the material handling system is rotated for centrifugal processing. The transmission device may be translatable to drive the fastener lock between its fastener unlocked position and its fastener locked position. For example, the transmission device may be movable parallel to the processing axis.

[0036] The fastener may be integral with or mounted on one of the first and second capsule handlers and may cooperate with a fastener receiver integral with or mounted on the other of the first and second capsule handlers. The fastener may have a substantially hook shape and the fastener receiver may have a substantially hook cooperating shape.

[0037] The machine may include a plurality of fasteners distributed around a processing axis, for example circumferentially around at least one of the first capsule handler and the second capsule handler. The fasteners may be integral to, fixed to, or assembled to the base.

[0038] The base may extend at least partially peripherally around one of the first capsule handler and the second capsule handler.

[0039] 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, such that each resilient member connects one, two, or at most three fasteners to the base.

[0040] The handler actuator may be configured to move the first capsule handler and the second capsule handler relative to one another and / or to actuate the fastener via a connection including at least one of a gear connection, a lever connection, a cam follower and cam connection, and a magnetic connection, if present, via the transmission device described above.

[0041] The machine frame and / or housing may define a raw material supply passage configured to allow for gravity feeding of raw material towards the rotatable raw material handling system, and a waste discharge passage configured to allow for gravity discharge of waste, e.g. used raw material, from the rotatable raw material handling system. The passage may be configured to allow passage of a capsule when the cavity is configured to hold a raw material supplied within the capsule as described above.

[0042] The feed passage may be provided with a guide for guiding the capsule as it is fed. For example, the guide may form a recess and / or a rail. The guide may be configured to cooperate with a complementary capsule shape, such as a capsule flange.

[0043] The guide may be associated with a stop configured to fix the capsule guided by the guide at a level between the first and second raw material handlers, e.g. at the processing axis. For example, the stop is fixed to the guide or is integral with the guide. The guide or a part thereof may be mounted to be movable towards and away from the processing axis, e.g. on a resilient arm. - a holding position for fixing the capsule at a level between the first and second material handlers, e.g. at the processing axis; It may be movably mounted between such level and a release position for releasing the capsule.

[0044] The machine may have 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 a beverage dispensing outlet, e.g. the passage is 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.

[0045] The machine may include a beverage conditioner defining a conditioning cavity between two surfaces, e.g. rotatably movable, relative to one another, the conditioning cavity being fluidly connected to the beverage passage. The conditioning cavity may be configured to refine a beverage delivered from the beverage outlet via the beverage passage.

[0046] For example, the valve is fluidly disposed between the beverage outlet and the regulating cavity.

[0047] 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 centrifugal processing, such at least one surface being driven in rotation, for example, about a processing axis.

[0048] 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.

[0049] Typically, the beverage conditioner is connected to a downstream beverage dispenser that is configured to dispense the beverage into a user receptacle, such as a cup or mug.

[0050] 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°.

[0051] 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.

[0052] One or more of the beverage outlet and the water inlet may be associated with one or more capsule openers, such as capsule piercers.

[0053] The opener may have a narrowed cross-section to increase the opening between the capsule and the opener upon opening.

[0054] The opener may be curved to increase the opening between the capsule and the opener upon opening.

[0055] For example, the opener may be bent about a bending axis that is radial to the process axis or about a bending axis that is tangential about the process axis.

[0056] 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.

[0057] The invention also relates to a system comprising a machine as described above and a capsule as described above containing a flavour ingredient.

[0058] A further 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 the capsule between a first feedstock handler and a second feedstock handler in a transfer configuration; moving the first and second feedstock handlers together with the capsule relative to the feedstock processing arrangement by actuation by the handler actuators; In a processing configuration, moving at least one fastener to a fastening position by actuation by the handler actuator for fastening the first capsule handler and the second capsule handler together with the capsule; providing water into the capsule through a water inlet in the processing cavity and centrifuging the flavor ingredients together with the water to produce a beverage; releasing the beverage from the capsule via a beverage passage; moving at least one fastener to an unfastened position by actuation by a handler actuator; Relatively moving the first and second raw material handlers, together with the capsule, from the raw material processing configuration to the raw material transfer configuration by actuation by the handler actuator, and releasing the capsule from the first and second handlers.

[0059] Another aspect of the invention relates to the use of a capsule comprising: As mentioned above, handling by machines, An implementation of a system as described above, or The present invention relates to a method for carrying out a method as described above.

[0060] For this use, the capsules are in a transfer configuration, held between the first material handler and the second material handler; transporting the first and second feedstock handlers together with the first and second feedstock handlers to the feedstock processing configuration by moving the first and second feedstock handlers relative to the feedstock processing configuration by actuation by the handler actuators; fastening the first capsule handler and the second capsule handler in the processing configuration by moving the fastener to a fastening position upon actuation by the handler actuator; water is provided through a water inlet into the capsule within the processing cavity, and the flavoring ingredients are centrifuged with the water to produce a beverage; Discharging the beverage through a beverage passage; the first capsule handler and the second capsule handler are disengaged by moving the fastener to an unfastened position by actuation by the handler actuator; The first and second handlers are released by relatively moving the first and second handlers from the handler processing configuration to the handler transport configuration via actuation by the handler actuators. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0061] 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 raw material handling system and at least one fastener, 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 machine of FIG. 1; [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional top view of the handling system of the machine of FIG. 1, the handling system being in a raw material transfer configuration. [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 an ingredient processing configuration without any ingredient capsules. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side 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] FIG. 2 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 towards the processing axis to provide an opening of increased size in the capsule at the level of the opener. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of several capsule openers (alternative to the one shown in FIG. 9) associated with one or more beverage outlets, where the capsule opener is bent tangentially about the processing axis to provide an opening of increased size in the capsule at the level of the opener. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of several capsule openers (alternative to that shown in FIG. 9) associated with a water inlet, the capsule opener having a radially narrowed cross section at the level of the capsule upon opening thereof to provide an opening in the capsule of increased size at the level of the opener. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of several capsule openers (alternative to those shown in FIGS. 9 and 11 ) associated with a water inlet, the capsule opener having a tangentially narrowed cross section at the level of the capsule upon opening thereof in order to provide an opening in the capsule of increased size at the level of the opener; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0062] 1 to 12 show an exemplary embodiment of a part of a machine 1 according to the invention as well as its components and variants.

[0063] The machine 1 is configured to prepare a beverage 4 from flavour ingredients 5a in a processing cavity 5. The cavity 5 may be arranged to hold ingredients 5a provided in capsules 5b. The ingredients 5a are mixed with water 4' and centrifugally driven together with the water 4' about a processing axis 30' to produce the beverage 4.

[0064] The machine 1 comprises a rotatable ingredient handling system 10, 20 for holding and rotating the flavour ingredients 5a and 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 water 4' to the ingredients 5a, for example in a capsule 5b.

[0065] The water 4' supplied into the cavity 5 may be heated in a heater 5, for example a thick film flow heater and / or a thermoblock flow heater and / or a water batch boiler. The heater 5 may be generally tubular and / or may comprise a helical channel for guiding the water 4'.

[0066] The system 10, 20 includes a first material handler 10 and a second material handler 20, the first material handler 10 and the second material handler 20 being from a raw material transfer arrangement for receiving raw material 5a by the first capsule handler 10 and the second capsule handler 20 and / or for discharging raw material 5a from the first capsule handler 10 and the second capsule handler 20; a raw material processing arrangement for centrifugal processing of the raw material 5a and water 4' by rotation about a processing axis 30'; and vice versa.

[0067] One handler may be moved away from or towards the other, or both handlers may be moved together or apart.

[0068] The machine 1 includes 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. Machine 1 is a fastening position for fastening the first capsule handler 10 and the second capsule handler 20 together in a processing configuration; The first capsule handler 10 and the second capsule handler 20 have at least one fastener 41' selectively movable to and from an unfastened position, in which the first capsule handler 10 and the second capsule handler 20 are movable from a processing configuration to a transport configuration and / or vice versa.

[0069] The machine 1 includes a machine frame and / or housing 40 that is stationary and supports the material handling systems 10, 20 as they are rotated for centrifugation. The first handler 10 and second handler 20 may be rotatably mounted to the frame and / or housing 40 via one or more bearings 19, 29, such as ball bearings.

[0070] When the first handler 10 and the second handler 20 are moved between the transfer configuration and the processing configuration, one handler 20 may be stationary and the other handler 10 may be movable within the machine frame and / or housing 40, or both handlers may be movable within the machine frame and / or housing.

[0071] The fastener 41' is actuated to the fastening and / or unfastened positions by a handler actuator 41. The fastener 41' may be biased to the fastening or unfastened position, for example, by a resilient member 41'', for example an elongated arm.

[0072] 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.

[0073] The fastener 41' may be angularly stationary about the process axis 30' relative to the first material handler 10 and / or the second material handler 20, for example when the material handling systems 10, 20 are rotated for centrifugal processing.

[0074] The machine 1 may include a fastener lock 41b configured to lock the fastener 41' in a fastened position and configured to unlock the fastener 41' such that the fastener 41' is movable and / or movable to an unfastened position. For example, the fastener lock 41b is angularly stationary about the process axis 30' relative to the fastener 41' when, for example, the material handling system 10, 20 is rotated for centrifugal processing.

[0075] 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.

[0076] The handler actuator 41 may be configured to drive the fastener lock 41b via a transmission 41a that is angularly stationary about the process axis 30' relative to the frame and / or housing 40 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. For example, the transmission 41a may be movable parallel to the process axis 30'.

[0077] The fastener 41' may be integral with or mounted on one of the first capsule handler 10 and the second capsule handler 20 and cooperates with a fastener receiver that is integral with or mounted on the other of the first capsule handler 10 and the second capsule handler 20. The fastener 41' may have a substantially hook shape and the fastener receiver 21 may have a substantially hook cooperating shape.

[0078] 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 to, fixed to or assembled to a base 41'''.

[0079] The base 41 ″″ may extend at least partially around one of the first capsule handler 10 and the second capsule handler 20 .

[0080] The base 41''' can be connected to the fasteners 41' by at least one corresponding resilient member 41''. For example, each fastener 41' is 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''''.

[0081] The handler actuator 41 may be configured to move the first capsule handler 10 and the second capsule handler 20 relative to one another and / or to actuate the fastener 41', if present, via a transmission device 41a, via a connection including at least one of a gear connection, a lever connection, a cam follower and cam connection, and a magnetic connection.

[0082] The machine frame and / or housing 40 may define a raw material supply passage 60 configured to allow gravity feeding of raw material 5a towards the rotatable raw material handling system 10, 20, and a waste discharge passage 70 configured to allow gravity discharge of waste, e.g., used raw material, from the rotatable raw material handling system 10, 20. Such a passage may be configured to allow the passage of capsules 5b when the cavity 5 is configured to hold raw material 5a fed therein.

[0083] The feed passage 60 may comprise guides 61, 61a for guiding the capsules 5b during feeding, such as guides 61, 61a forming recesses and / or rails, configured to cooperate with a complementary capsule shape, such as a capsule flange 5b', and the guides 61, 61a associated with stops 61b configured to fix the capsules 5b guided by the guides 61, 61a at a level between the first and second raw material handlers 10, 20, e.g. at the processing axis 30'. For example, the stops 61b are fixed to the guides 61, 61a or are integral to the guides 61, 61a.

[0084] The guide or part thereof 61a may be mounted for movement towards and away from the processing axis 30', for example on a resilient arm, between a holding position for fixing the capsule 5b at a level between the first and second raw material handlers 10 and 20, for example at the processing axis 30', and a release position for releasing the capsule 5b from such level.

[0085] The machine 1 may have a beverage passageway 26, for example a beverage conduit, in fluid communication with the beverage outlet 25. The passageway 26 may be configured to guide the beverage 4 from the outlet 25 towards the beverage dispensing outlet 54. The passageway 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 passageway 26.

[0086] The machine 1 may include a beverage conditioner 50 defining a conditioning cavity 51 between two surfaces 52, 53, e.g. movable, e.g. rotatably movable, relative to one another, the conditioning cavity 51 being 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.

[0087] The frame and / or housing 40 may include or be fixed to a bottom, which is configured to rest on a support surface external to such machine 1 when the material handling system 10, 20 is rotated about a process axis 30' for centrifugation. The external support surface may be formed by a table top. During centrifugation, the process axis 30' may form an angle in the range of 0°-60°, such as 0°-45°, such as 0°-30°, such as 0°-15°, typically substantially 0°, with respect to such bottom.

[0088] The frame and / or housing 40 can support a motor 2 which is 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.

[0089] 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'.

[0090] The opener 24' may have a narrowed cross section 24a', 24b' (eg, Figures 11 and 12) to increase the opening between the capsule 5b and the opener 24' upon opening.

[0091] The opener 25' may be curved to increase the opening between the capsule 5b and the opener 25' upon opening.

[0092] For example, the opener 25' may be curved about an axis 25b' (eg, FIG. 10) that is radial to the process axis 30' or about an axis 25a' (eg, FIG. 9) that is tangential about the process axis.

[0093] The processing cavity 5 may have a plurality of beverage outlets 25 arranged peripherally in the processing cavity 5 about a central processing axis 30', and / or may have a water inlet 24 arranged on or adjacent to the processing axis 30' in the processing cavity 5.

[0094] In operation, a beverage 4 can be prepared from flavour ingredients 5a provided to the machine 1 in a capsule 5b. holding the capsule 5b between a first material handler 10 and a second material handler 20 in a transfer configuration; moving the first raw material handler 10 and the second raw material handler 20 together with the capsule 5b relative to the raw material processing arrangement by actuation by the handler actuator 41; moving at least one fastener 41' to a fastening position by actuation by a handler actuator 41 in order to fasten the first capsule handler 10 and the second capsule handler 20 together with the capsule 5b in a processing configuration; supplying water 4' into the capsule 5b through the water inlet 24 in the processing cavity 5, so that the water 4' is supplied and the flavor raw materials 5a are centrifuged together with the water 4' to produce the beverage 4; expelling the beverage 4 from the capsule 5b via the beverage passage 26; and moving at least one fastener 41' to an unfastened position by actuation by a handler actuator 41; This can include relatively moving the first raw material handler 10 and the second raw material handler 20, together with the capsule 5b, from the raw material processing configuration to the raw material transfer configuration by actuation by the handler actuator 41, and releasing the capsule 5b from the first handler 10 and the second handler 20.

Claims

1. 1. A machine (1) for preparing a beverage (4) from a flavour raw material (5a) by mixing said flavour raw material (5a) with water (4') in a processing cavity (5), such as a cavity (5) for holding said flavour raw material provided in a capsule (5b), and centrifugally driving said flavour raw material (5a) and said water (4') about a processing axis (30') to produce the beverage (4), said machine (1) comprising: A rotatable ingredient handling system (10, 20) for holding and rotating the flavouring ingredients (5a) and water during a centrifugation process about the process axis (30'), said 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), e.g. in the capsule (5b), said system (10, 20) comprising a first ingredient handler (10) and a second ingredient handler (20), said first ingredient handler (10) and said second ingredient handler (20) being from a raw material transfer arrangement for receiving said raw material (5a) by a first capsule handler (10) and a second capsule handler (20) and / or for discharging said raw material (5a) from said first raw material handler (10) and said second raw material handler (20), a raw material processing arrangement for centrifugal processing of the raw material (5a) and the water (4') by rotation about the processing axis (30'); and vice versa, material handling systems (10, 20) movable relative to each other; 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 the transport arrangement and the processing arrangement; at least one fastener (41') selectively movable between a fastening position for fastening the first capsule handler (10) and the second capsule handler (20) together in the 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; a machine frame and / or housing (40) that is stationary and supports said raw material handling systems (10, 20) when said raw material handling systems (10, 20) are rotated for centrifugation, and optionally a first said handler (10) and a second said handler (20) are rotatably mounted to said frame and / or housing (40) via one or more bearings (19, 29), such as ball bearings, the fastener (41') is actuated by the handler actuator (41) to the fastening and / or unclamped position, the fastener (41') being biased e.g. to the fastening or unclamped position e.g. by a resilient member (41'', e.g. an elongated arm, and optionally the handler actuator (41) is angularly stationary about the processing axis (30') relative to the frame and / or housing (40) when the material handling system (10, 20) is rotated for centrifugation; and / or the fastener (41') being angularly stationary about the processing axis (30') relative to the first material handler (10) and / or the second material handler (20), e.g. when the material handling systems (10, 20) are rotated for centrifugal processing.

2. 2. The machine according to claim 1, comprising a fastener lock (41 b) configured to lock the fasteners (41′) in the fastened position and configured to unlock the fasteners (41′) such that the fasteners (41′) are moved and / or movable to the unfastened position, optionally the fastener lock (41 b) being angularly stationary about the processing axis (30′) with respect to the fasteners (41′), e.g. when the material handling system (10, 20) is rotated for centrifugation processing.

3. The handler actuator (41) from a fastener unlocked position to a fastener locked position after the first capsule handler (10) and the second capsule handler (20) have been moved relative to the processing arrangement by the handler actuator (41); and / or from a fastener locked position to a fastener unlocked position before the first capsule handler (10) and the second capsule handler (20) are moved relatively from the processing configuration towards the transfer configuration by the handler actuator (41); 3. The machine of claim 2, configured to drive the fastener lock (41b).

4. 4. The machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the handler actuators (41) are configured to drive the fastener locks (41 b) via a transmission device (41 a) that is angularly stationary about the processing axis (30') relative to the frame and / or housing (40) when the material handling system (10, 20) is rotated for centrifugation, and optionally the transmission device (41 a) is translatable to drive the fastener locks (41 b) between a fastener unlocked position of the fastener locks (41 b) and a fastener locked position of the fastener locks (41 b), e.g. the transmission device (41 a) is movable parallel to the processing axis (30').

5. 5. A machine according to claim 1, wherein the fastener (41') is integrated into or mounted on one of the first capsule handler (10) and the second capsule handler (20), and wherein the fastener (41') cooperates with a fastener receiver (21) which is integrated into or mounted on the other of the first capsule handler (10) and the second capsule handler (20), and wherein the fastener (41') has a substantially hook shape and the fastener receiver (21) has a substantially hook-cooperating shape.

6. a plurality of fasteners (41') distributed around said processing axis (30'), e.g. circumferentially around at least one of said first capsule handler (10) and said second capsule handler (20), optionally said fasteners (41') being integral with, fixed to or attached to a base (41'''), said base (41''') being e.g. extends at least partially circumferentially around one of the first capsule handler (10) and the second capsule handler (20); and / or the fasteners (41') are connected by at least one corresponding elastic member (41''); for example, each fastener (41') is connected to the base (41''') by a corresponding elastic member (41''), whereby each elastic member (41'') connects one, two, or at most three fasteners (41') to the base (41'''); A machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the handler actuator (41) is configured to move the first capsule handler (10) and the second capsule handler (20) relative to one another and / or to actuate the fasteners (41') via a connection comprising at least one of a gear connection, a lever connection, a cam follower and cam connection, and a magnetic connection, via the transmission device (41a), if present.

8. 8. The machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the machine frame and / or housing (40) defines a raw material supply passage (60) configured to allow the raw material (5a) to be fed by gravity towards the rotatable raw material handling system (10, 20) and a waste discharge passage (70) configured to allow the discharge by gravity of waste, e.g. used raw material, from the rotatable raw material handling system (10, 20), optionally configured to allow the passage of a capsule (5b) when the cavity (5) is configured to hold the raw material (5a) fed within the capsule (5b).

9. The feed passage (60) is provided with guides (61, 61a) for guiding the capsules (5b) during feeding of the capsules (5b), such as guides (61, 61a) forming recesses and / or rails, the guides (61, 61a) being configured to cooperate with a complementary capsule shape, such as a capsule flange (5b'), the guides (61, 61a) being provided with stops (61b), such as guides (61, 61a) configured to fix the capsules (5b) guided by the guides (61, 61a) at a level between the first raw material handler (10) and the second raw material handler (20), e.g. at the processing axis (30').

9. The machine according to claim 8, wherein the guide or part of the guide (61 a) is associated with a stop (61 b) fixed to or integral with a guide (61, 61 a), and optionally the guide or part of the guide (61 a) is mounted movably towards and away from the processing axis (30'), for example mounted on a resilient arm movably between a holding position for fixing the capsule (5 b) at a level between the first material handler (10) and the second material handler (20), for example at the processing axis (30'), and a release position for releasing the capsule (5 b) from said level.

10. 10. 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).

11. 11. The machine according to claim 10, comprising a beverage conditioner (50) defining a regulation cavity (51) between two surfaces (52, 53) which are movable, e.g. rotatably movable, relative to one another, said regulation cavity (51) being fluidly connected to said beverage passage (26), said regulation cavity (51) being configured to 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).

12. the frame and / or housing comprises or is 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 material handling system (10, 20) is rotated about the processing axis (30') for centrifugation, the processing axis (30') making an angle with respect to the bottom in the range of 0° to 60°, e.g. 0° to 45°, e.g. 0° to 30°, e.g. 0° to 15°, typically substantially 0°; and / or the frame and / or housing supports a motor (2) which is 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; and / or one or more of said beverage outlet (25) and said water inlet (24) are associated with one or more capsule openers (24', 25'), such as capsule piercers (24', 25'); and / or A machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the processing cavity (5) has a plurality of beverage outlets (25) arranged peripherally in the processing cavity (5) about the central processing axis (30') and / or has the water inlet (24) arranged in the processing cavity (5) on or adjacent to the processing axis (30').

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

14. A method for preparing the beverage (4) from the flavour raw materials (5a) supplied to the machine (1) in the capsule (5b) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising the steps of: holding said capsule (5b) between said first raw material handler (10) and said second raw material handler (20) in said transfer configuration; moving the first raw material handler (10) and the second raw material handler (20) together with the capsule (5b) relative to the raw material processing arrangement by actuation by the handler actuator (41); in said processing configuration, moving said at least one fastener (41') to said fastening position by actuation by said handler actuator (41) for fastening said first capsule handler (10) and said second capsule handler (20) together with said capsule (5b); 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) through the beverage passage (26); moving said at least one fastener (41') to said unfastened position by actuation by said handler actuator (41); moving the first raw material handler (10) and the second raw material handler (20) together with the capsule (5b) relatively from the raw material processing configuration to the raw material transfer configuration by actuation by the handler actuator (41) and releasing the capsule (5b) from the first handler (10) and the second handler (20).

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) in the transfer configuration, held between the first material handler (10) and the second material handler (20); being transported together with the first raw material handler (10) and the second raw material handler (20) to the raw material handling arrangement by moving the handlers (10, 20) relative to the raw material handling arrangement by actuation by the handler actuators (41); fastening the first capsule handler (10) and the second capsule handler (20) in the processing configuration by moving the fastener (41') to the fastening position by actuation by the handler actuator (41); supplying the water (4') into the capsule (5b) through the water inlet (24) in the processing cavity (5), and centrifuging the flavor ingredients (5a) together with the water (4') to produce the beverage (4); Discharging the beverage (4) through the beverage passage (26); the fastener (41') is moved to the unfastened position by actuation by the handler actuator (41), thereby unfastening the first capsule handler (10) and the second capsule handler (20); use, where the first and second handlers (10) and (20) are released by relatively moving the first and second handlers (10) and (20) from the raw material processing configuration to the raw material transfer configuration by actuation by the handler actuators (41).

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