Beverage preparation using a rotating impeller

Abstract

The apparatus 1 is configured to process at least one beverage ingredient fluid 21, 22. The apparatus includes a processing surface 10, 10A, 10B rotatable about a rotation axis 10', an actuator 20 configured to actuate the processing surface to rotate about the rotation axis, at least one fluid input line 30, 30A, 30B, 31, 32, 33 having fluid delivery openings 30', 30A', 30B' for delivering the beverage ingredient fluid to the processing surface, and at least one fluid output line 40, 40B having receiving openings 40', 40B' for directing the fluid 41 away from the processing surface. The processing surface has a central region 11, 11A, 11B at the rotation axis and peripheral regions 12, 12A, 12B distal from the rotation axis, extending between the central region and the peripheral region. The central region is disposed closer to the or each fluid delivery opening than the or each receiving opening.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The field of the invention relates to beverage preparation machines having rotating impellers used to process beverages or beverage ingredients.

[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, where the package forms an enclosure of any material, in particular airtight or permeable material, porous or non-porous material (e.g., plastic, aluminum, recyclable and / or biodegradable packaging), and of any shape and configuration, including a soft pod or a rigid cartridge containing the ingredient. [Background technology]

[0003] Specialty beverages made at least in part with frothed or heated milk are becoming increasingly popular. The best-known beverage of this type is the cappuccino type of coffee. A cappuccino includes a liquid portion consisting of coffee covered by a layer of frothed milk, which has such low density that it floats on the surface of the liquid. Generally, preparing a cappuccino is time-consuming and requires skill and cleaning.

[0004] In particular, in the field of coffee preparation, machines have been widely developed in which a capsule containing beverage ingredients is inserted into a brewing device that is sealed around the capsule, water is injected into a first face of the capsule to produce a beverage within the sealed volume of the capsule, and the brewed beverage is expelled from a second face of the capsule to be collected in a container such as a cup, mug, or kettle. Examples of such beverage machines are disclosed in EP 1767129, WO 2005 / 004683, WO 2007 / 135136, WO 2009 / 043630, WO 2012 / 093107, and WO 2013 / 127906.

[0005] US Patent No. 6,318,247 relates to an appliance for preparing hot beverages or foods, such as hot chocolate, by stirring. Other devices for stirring food products are described in the patent documents WO 2004 / 043213, DE 89 15 094, DE 196 24 648, US Patent No. 2,932,493, DE 1 131 372, US Patent Nos. 3,356,349, 4,537,332 and 6,712,497. Improved appliances for making froth from milk-based liquids or milk have been proposed in WO 2006 / 050900, WO 2008 / 142154, WO 2009 / 074555, WO 2010 / 023313, WO 2011 / 039222, WO 2011 / 039224, WO 2011 / 144647, PCT / EP20 / 069482 and PCT / EP20 / 069485. Such devices typically comprise an inner tank for receiving the liquid to be frothed in which a rotatable stirrer is arranged, an outer stand for holding the tank, drive and control means located in a cavity between the inner tank and the outer stand and in communication with switches and electrical connections located on the outer surface of the stand, and agitation means for optimising the circulation of the milk during frothing. Further devices for stirring food products such as milk-based products are disclosed in WO 2016 / 202814, WO 2016 / 202815, WO 2016 / 202816, WO 2016 / 202817, WO 2016 / 202818, WO 2017 / 098037, WO 2018 / 108804, WO 2018 / 108807, WO 2018 / 108808, WO 2019 / 101764, WO 2019 / 101765, WO 2019 / 185782, WO 2019 / 185784, WO 2019 / 185785 and WO 2019 / 211213.Further mixers are disclosed in WO 2014 / 096183, WO 2015 / 197505, WO 2015 / 197509, WO 2016 / 102218, WO 2016 / 102219, WO 2017 / 029267, WO 2017 / 076997, WO 2017 / 081308, WO 2017 / 097674, WO 2017 / 216015, and WO 2017 / 220436.

[0006] It is also known to use rotary processes to prepare coffee, as disclosed, for example, in EP 2021216965, which relies on centrifugation and may involve conditioning the coffee with rotary shearing. Coffee preparation by centrifugal processes is further disclosed, for example, in WO 2008 / 148601, WO 2008 / 148650, U.S. Pat. No. 5,566,605, WO 2013 / 007776, WO 2013 / 007779, WO 2013 / 007780, WO 2017 / 046294, WO 2017 / 068134, and WO 2017 / 202746.

[0007] There remains a need to provide a beverage processing system for combining beverage ingredients in a desired manner. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The present invention relates to an apparatus for processing at least one beverage ingredient fluid, typically configured or integrated into a beverage machine configured to dispense a beverage prepared by using the processing apparatus to a user, for example into a user cup or mug.

[0009] One aspect of the present invention relates to an apparatus for processing at least one beverage ingredient fluid.

[0010] Such an apparatus comprises a treatment surface rotatable about a rotation axis, an actuator, e.g., a motor such as an electric motor, configured to actuate the treatment surface to rotate about the rotation axis, at least one fluid input line having a fluid delivery opening configured to deliver a beverage ingredient fluid to the treatment surface, optionally each of the fluid input lines having such a delivery opening, and at least one fluid output line having a receiving opening configured to direct a fluid (typically a treated beverage ingredient fluid) away from the treatment surface.

[0011] Such an apparatus may further comprise a thermal conditioner, such as a heater and / or cooler, configured to thermally condition the beverage ingredient fluid upon delivery by the delivery opening and prior to receipt by the receiving opening. The thermal conditioner may be an electrical device, for example a resistive or inductive heater, or a cooling pump, or a thermocouple, or a heating or cooling liquid or gas, such as glycol.

[0012] The fluid may be in liquid form, such as syrup, milk, tea, coffee, or in solid particle form, such as vegetables, milk, sugar, salt, or flavor powder, or in gaseous form, such as N2 or CO2, or any combination thereof, such as an emulsion or foam.

[0013] The beverage ingredient fluid delivered from the delivery opening may be delivered as a single ingredient, for example coffee, or as a combination of ingredients, for example milk and a gas, such as air, or coffee and a sweetener, such as syrup and / or sugar. The milk may be of animal origin, for example cow or goat, or of plant origin, for example soybean, almond, oat, coconut, hazelnut, rice, cashew, hemp, walnut, peanut, macadamia nut, flax, etc.

[0014] The rotatable treatment surface may be continuously extending or may be provided with one or more discontinuities such as protrusions or recesses, e.g., through holes and / or blind holes, which may be used to increase the working of the beverage ingredient fluid by the treatment surface during its rotation.

[0015] The actuator can be coupled to the treatment surface via mechanical and / or magnetic coupling. Mechanical coupling can be achieved by a shaft extending from the actuator to the treatment surface, with or without a transmission, e.g., a gear. Magnetic coupling, e.g., to avoid leakage issues, can be achieved by using magnets between the treatment surface and the actuator, with or without a mechanical coupling between the magnetic coupling and the actuator, as described, e.g., in WO 2006 / 050900 and WO 2016 / 202814.

[0016] The actuator may be configured to actuate the treatment surface to rotate the treatment surface about the axis of rotation at a speed in the range of 500-25000 RPM, such as 1000-20000 RPM, such as 2000-18000 RPM, such as 3000-16000 RPM.

[0017] The treatment surface has a central region at the axis of rotation and a peripheral region distal from the axis of rotation, the central region being disposed closer to the or each fluid delivery opening than the or each receiving opening.

[0018] Thus, during operation of the device, one or more fluids are delivered toward a central portion of the treatment surface and then driven to rotate toward the peripheral area where they are discharged from the treatment surface. Such devices can be used to mix liquids together and / or combine liquids with gas to form, for example, foam, head, or crema. The device can also be used as a pump to pump one or more liquids. Furthermore, by increasing the number of liquid sources in fluid communication with the treatment surface via the fluid input lines, it is possible to not only mix different liquids, but also to prepare layered beverages through non-simultaneous processing.

[0019] For example, it is possible to prepare coffee topped with milk or frothed milk.

[0020] Sweeteners, such as sugar or sweetener substitutes, may or may not be integrated via a liquid supply line, for example as a syrup.

[0021] The fluid delivered through the delivery opening may be formed from one or more ingredients. If such a fluid comprises two or more ingredients, they may be premixed in the device upstream of the delivery opening, for example, milk and a gas such as air, or they may be premixed and fed to the device, for example, cocoa and sweetener syrup. Of course, such ingredients, for example, air and milk, or coffee and milk, may be delivered separately to the treatment surface, either sequentially through the same or different delivery openings, or in parallel through different delivery openings.

[0022] The or at least one or all of the fluid delivery openings may be configured to face the treatment surface.

[0023] The treatment surface may extend from the central region to the peripheral region in a substantially planar, conical, spherical, or ellipsoidal shape. The treatment surface may have substantially the shape of a flat disk formed by the base of a cylinder, such as a short cylinder, or the shape of a conical surface with an obtuse opening angle, or the shape of a spherical or ellipsoidal cap. Such an obtuse opening angle may be at least 120 degrees, such as at least 135 degrees, for example at least 150 degrees, for example at least 165 degrees.

[0024] The treatment surface may typically have a circular periphery, such as formed substantially by a disc or cone with a circular base.

[0025] The device may include a plurality of separate treatment surfaces, each formed from such a fluid treatment surface.

[0026] Two such separate treatment surfaces may each have a corresponding central region at the axis of rotation and a corresponding peripheral region away from the axis of rotation, extending between the central region and the peripheral region.

[0027] Each of the two separate processing surfaces may be associated with at least one corresponding fluid input line having a fluid delivery opening configured to deliver a beverage ingredient fluid to the corresponding processing surface, e.g., each of the fluid input lines having a corresponding delivery opening, and the central region may be located closer to the or each fluid delivery opening than to the or each receiving opening.

[0028] Two such separate treatment surfaces may be formed, for example, by a common, substantially wall-shaped member, e.g., the member extends substantially planar, conical, spherical, or ellipsoidal, such as substantially coin-shaped. The separate treatment surfaces may also be formed by opposing faces of the member. For example, the member may include one or more through-holes extending from one of the two separate treatment surfaces to the other and fluidly connecting them through the member.

[0029] Through these through-holes, fluids can be combined and processed on the rotating processing surfaces. Different fluid pressure levels on each processing surface can be used to direct the processed fluids together primarily onto one processing surface. For example, milk and air can be supplied at higher pressure onto one processing surface, and coffee can be supplied at lower pressure onto the other processing surface, so that the milk and air are pre-frothed on the processing surface and then sent to the other processing surface via the through-holes to be combined with the coffee supplied directly onto the other processing surface and processed.

[0030] Two such separate treatment surfaces may for example be formed by separate wall-shaped members, e.g. each member being substantially planar or conical or spherical or ellipsoidal in elongation, such as substantially coin-like in shape. For example, the wall-shaped members may be arranged in separate treatment cavities and be rotatable.

[0031] For example, milk and air can be treated for frothing on one treatment surface of the wall-shaped member in the first cavity and discharged by a first output line, while coffee can be treated with air for frothing on another treatment surface of the wall-shaped member in the second cavity and discharged by a second output line. Thus, the coffee / air fluid and the milk / air fluid can be dispensed by separate output lines into a user container, for example a cup or mug or pot, simultaneously, sequentially, or partially sequentially and partially simultaneously.

[0032] The actuator can actuate two or more of the treatment surfaces to rotate about the axis of rotation.

[0033] The treatment surfaces may rotate at the same speed (eg, by being connected via a motion conversion transmission device such as a gear) or may rotate at different speeds.

[0034] The processing surface may face a containment wall, for example a containment wall extending substantially parallel to and above the processing surface to define a fluid processing chamber therebetween, and the processing surface rotates relative to the containment wall about an axis of rotation.

[0035] The containment wall may form or be part of a casing that contains the containment wall.

[0036] The confinement wall may be spaced, for example axially, from the treatment surface by a distance in the range of 0.1 to 3 mm, for example 0.2 to 2.5 mm, for example less than 2 mm, for example 0.5 to 1.5 mm, which distance may be sufficiently small to generate a Couette flow of the beverage ingredient fluid between the treatment surface and the confinement wall during their relative rotation about the axis of rotation.

[0037] The or one of the fluid input lines may be fluidly connected to a gas source configured to supply gas at ambient pressure or compressed gas to the treatment surface, for example, the gas source may be a source of air or carbon dioxide.

[0038] The or one of the fluid input lines may be fluidly connected to a source of liquid milk or milk-based liquid.

[0039] The or one of the fluid input lines may be fluidly connected to a source of liquid coffee or tea or chocolate.

[0040] The or one of the fluid input lines may be fluidly connected to a source of syrup, such as plain syrup or syrup flavored with flavor ingredients such as coffee, tea, or chocolate.

[0041] The or at least one of the fluid input lines may be fluidly connected to a valve configured to control flow along such line to the processing surface, for example, each of the fluid input lines may be fluidly connected to such a valve.

[0042] The valve may be a multi-way valve for combining different ingredients, such as air and milk or coffee and syrup, upstream of the fluid delivery opening.

[0043] The or at least one output line may be fluidly connected to a valve configured to control flow along such line from the processing surface. For example, each line of the fluid output line may be fluidly connected to such a valve. Such output line valves may be used to create or control pressure buildup on the processing surface and / or to prevent dripping from the output line and supply end.

[0044] The or at least one of the receiving openings may face the processing surface and / or may be adjacent to the peripheral region, and the output lines may extend from the receiving openings to: parallel to the axis of rotation, or non-orthogonal to the axis of rotation, such as at an angle in the range of 0 to 60°, e.g., 15 to 45°, to the axis of rotation, or perpendicular to the axis of rotation, or non-parallel to the axis of rotation, such as at an angle in the range of 0 to 60°, e.g., 15 to 45°; It extends in any direction possible.

[0045] The or at least one output line extends from the receiving opening to: along the direction of rotation of the treatment surface or at an acute angle to the treatment surface to facilitate fluid output away from the treatment surface; in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the treatment surface or at an acute angle to the treatment surface to slow the fluid output away from the treatment surface It can be extended.

[0046] The device according to the invention may include an output line aligned with the direction of rotation of the treatment surface about the axis of rotation and another output line oriented opposite to the direction of rotation.

[0047] An apparatus according to the present invention may be configured to rotate the treatment surface in both directions of rotation about the axis of rotation, for example, an output line coinciding with one direction of rotation may be oriented opposite to the opposite direction of rotation.

[0048] The or at least one output line may extend from the receiving opening substantially parallel to the axis of rotation.

[0049] The device of the present invention comprises: an actuator that controls the actuator output relative to the treatment surface, such as at least one of speed, direction, torque, and power; one or more fluid input lines that control the supply of fluid to the treatment surface along the input lines, such as by at least one of opening or closing the line, a flow rate of the fluid along the input line, a volume of the fluid along the input line, and a mass of the fluid along the input line; and at least one fluid output line that controls the passage of fluid away from the processing surface, such as at least one of opening or closing the output line, the flow rate of fluid along the line, the volume of fluid along the output line, and the mass of fluid along the output line.

[0050] The control unit may be configured to control the rotation of the processing surface and / or other apparatus parts to mix on the processing surface at least two liquids supplied to the processing surface via separate fluid input lines.

[0051] The control unit may be configured to control the rotation of the treatment surface and / or other device parts to mix at least one liquid with a gas, such as a gas at ambient pressure or a compressed gas, on the treatment surface. The gas may be air or carbon dioxide. The liquid may be foamed with the gas. For example, the liquid may be milk, coffee, or chocolate (drinks) and the gas may be air. As described above, layered or continuous beverages, such as cappuccino or latte macchiato, may be prepared.

[0052] The control unit may be configured to control rotation of the processing surface and / or other apparatus parts to pump one or more liquids from fluid input lines to fluid output lines along the processing surface.

[0053] The control unit may be configured to control the rotation of the treatment surface and / or other device parts in order to rinse or clean the device with a rinsing or cleaning fluid, typically supplied by the or one or more of said fluid input lines and / or discharged by the or at least one of said fluid output lines. Accordingly, the fluid input lines may be temporarily or permanently connected to a source of rinsing or cleaning fluid.

[0054] The apparatus may form a beverage machine configured to prepare beverages and dispense such beverages into user containers such as cups or mugs or jugs.

[0055] The device can have one or more fluid sources, such as at least one of a fluid container and a connector to an external fluid source. The or each fluid line can be connected to the or one of the fluid sources. The or at least one fluid source can be connected to the fluid line via one or more components selected from a thermal regulator, e.g., a heater and / or cooler; a pump; a valve; and a fluid sensor, such as a flow meter, a heat sensor, a pressure sensor, etc.; and a device configured to extract ingredient capsules, e.g., of the type described above.

[0056] For example, the beverage machine may be a coffee, tea, chocolate, cocoa, milk or soup preparation machine, configured to prepare beverages in a beverage processing module including ingredient holders by passing hot or cold water or other liquid through ingredients held in the holders, such as flavor ingredients of the beverage to be prepared, such as ground coffee, tea, chocolate, cocoa or milk powder.

[0057] Such beverage preparation typically involves mixing multiple beverage ingredients, e.g., water and dairy powder, and / or infusing a beverage ingredient, such as ground coffee or tea, with water. The particulate ingredients may be contained in a capsule that is brewed by the machine. One or more of the ingredients may be provided in loose and / or agglomerated powder form and / or in liquid form, particularly concentrated form. A carrier or diluent, such as water, may be mixed with such ingredients to form a beverage. Typically, a predetermined amount of beverage, equivalent to a single serving (e.g., a single serving), is formed and dispensed upon user request. Such a serving size may range from 25 to 600 mL, e.g., 40 to 250 mL, or 15 to 1000 mL, depending on the type of beverage, e.g., filling a cup, mug, or pot. The beverage formed and dispensed may be selected from ristretto, espresso, lungo, cappuccino, caffè latte, Americano coffee, tea, and the like. For example, the coffee machine may be configured to brew an espresso in an adjustable amount, for example between 20 and 60 mL per serving, and / or to brew a lungo in an amount, for example in the range of 70 to 200 mL per serving, and / or to dispense an americano in an amount, for example in the range of 150 to 750 mL.

[0058] Typically, the machine includes one or more of the following components: a) a fluid system in fluid communication with the ingredients during beverage preparation; b) an in-line heater and / or cooler for thermally conditioning a liquid flow to be passed through the flavor ingredients, or a batch heater and / or cooler for passing a liquid thermally conditioned by the batch heater and / or cooler through the flavor ingredients; c) pumps for pumping liquids into the raw materials, in particular pressure pumps operating in the range of 1 to 25 bar, such as 10 to 20 bar or 1 to 5 bar, for example 1.5 to 3 bar; d) an electronic control unit, in particular comprising a printed circuit board (PCB), for receiving instructions from a user through an input user interface and for controlling heaters and / or coolers, pumps, motors and valves; and e) One or more sensors for sensing at least one characteristic selected from the characteristics of the fluid system, the heater and / or cooler, the pump, the liquid tank, the raw material collector, the flow of the liquid (e.g., via a flow meter), the pressure of the liquid, and the temperature of the liquid, and for communicating said characteristic to the control unit.

[0059] Where the ingredients are provided in a capsule, the capsule may have a body containing the ingredients and a peripherally projecting flange, for example a cup-shaped body and a lid covering and extending beyond the mouth of the cup to form a peripherally projecting flange.

[0060] The capsule can have a symmetrical or asymmetrical, conical, frustoconical, cylindrical, spherical, hemispherical, or frustospherical body containing an ingredient (e.g., ground coffee, tea, cocoa, or other beverage ingredient).

[0061] 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 semi-ellipsoidal body) with a flange to which a cover lid (or membrane) is attached, particularly 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 capsules may be of the type marketed by Nespresso under the trademarks "Vertuo Line", "Original Line" or "Professional Line".

[0062] The present invention also relates to a method for processing at least one beverage ingredient fluid in an apparatus as described above, the method comprising the steps of actuating a processing surface to rotate about a rotation axis using an actuator, delivering a beverage ingredient fluid to the processing surface through a delivery opening in a fluid input line to process the beverage ingredient fluid, and directing the fluid away from the processing surface through a receiving opening in a fluid output line. The processing surface has a central region at the rotation axis and a peripheral region remote from the rotation axis, extending between the central region and the peripheral region. The central region is located closer to the or each fluid delivery opening than the or each receiving opening. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0063] The invention will now be described with reference to schematic drawings. [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention; [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a side view of the device shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the device shown in FIG. [Figure 5] 1 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the device according to the present invention; [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the device shown in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] 10 is a partially exploded view of a further embodiment of a device according to the invention in operation; FIG. [Figure 8] 10 is a partially exploded view of yet another embodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention in operation. [Figure 9] 3 is a schematic diagram of a further embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention having a pair of fluid treatment surfaces arranged on opposite sides of a substantially wall-shaped rotatable member; FIG. [Figure 10] 3 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention having a plurality of substantially wall-shaped rotatable members, each member being provided with a fluid treatment surface; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0064] 1 to 10 show different exemplary embodiments of a device 1 according to the invention.

[0065] Generally speaking, such an apparatus 1 is configured to process at least one beverage ingredient fluid 21,22. The apparatus 1 includes a processing surface 10, 10A, 10B rotatable about a rotation axis 10′, an actuator 20, e.g., a motor such as an electric motor, configured to actuate the processing surface 10, 10A, 10B to rotate it about the rotation axis 10′, at least one fluid input line 30, 30A, 30B, 31, 32, 33 having a fluid delivery opening 30′, 30A′, 30B′ configured to deliver a beverage ingredient fluid 21, 22 to the processing surface 10, 10A, 10B, e.g., each of the fluid input lines 30, 30A, 30B, 31, 32, 33 having such a delivery opening, and at least one fluid output line 40, 40B having a receiving opening 40′, 40B′ configured to direct a fluid 41 (typically a processed beverage ingredient fluid) away from the processing surface 10, 10A, 10B.

[0066] Such an apparatus 1 may further comprise a thermal conditioner, such as a heater and / or cooler, configured to thermally condition the beverage ingredient fluids 21, 22 upon delivery by the delivery opening and before receipt by the receiving opening. The thermal conditioner may be an electrical device, for example a resistive or inductive heater, or a cooling pump, or a thermocouple, or a heating or cooling liquid or gas, such as glycol.

[0067] The fluids 21, 22 may be in liquid form, such as syrup, milk, tea, coffee, or in solid particle form, such as vegetables, milk, sugar, salt, or flavor powder, or in gaseous form, such as N2 or CO2, or any combination thereof, such as an emulsion or foam.

[0068] The beverage ingredient fluids 21, 22 delivered from the delivery openings 30', 30A', 30B' may be delivered as a single ingredient, for example coffee, or as a combination of ingredients such as milk and gas (for example air) or coffee and syrup.

[0069] The treatment surfaces 10, 10A, 10B may extend continuously or may be provided with one or more discontinuities such as protrusions or recesses, for example through holes 101 and / or blind holes 102.

[0070] The actuator 20 may be coupled to the processing surface 10, 10A, 10B via mechanical and / or magnetic coupling. Mechanical coupling may be achieved by a shaft extending from the actuator 20 to the processing surface 10, 10A, 10B, with or without a transmission, e.g., a gear. Magnetic coupling, e.g., to avoid leakage issues, may be achieved by using magnets between the processing surface 10, 10A, 10B and the actuator 20B, with or without a mechanical coupling between the magnetic coupling and the actuator 20.

[0071] The actuator 20 may be configured to actuate the treatment surface 10, 10A, 10B to rotate the treatment surface 10, 10A, 10B about the axis of rotation 10′ at a speed in the range of 500-25000 RPM, such as 1000-20000 RPM, such as 2000-18000 RPM, such as 3000-16000 RPM.

[0072] The treatment surfaces 10, 10A, 10B may extend continuously or may be provided with one or more discontinuities such as protrusions or recesses, for example through holes 101 and / or blind holes 102.

[0073] The treatment surface 10, 10A, 10B has a central region 11, 11A, 11B at the axis of rotation 10′ and a peripheral region 12, 12A, 12B distal from the axis of rotation 10′, extending between the central region 11, 11A, 11B and the peripheral region 12, 12A, 12B. The central region 11, 11A, 11B is located closer to the or each fluid delivery opening 30′ than the or each receiving opening 40′, 40B′.

[0074] The fluid delivery openings 30', 30A', 30B', or at least one or all of them may be configured to face the treatment surface 10, 10A, 10B.

[0075] The treatment surface 10, 10A, 10B may extend from the central region 11, 11A, 11B to the peripheral region 11, 11A, 11B in a substantially planar, conical, spherical, or ellipsoidal shape. The treatment surface 10, 10A, 10B may have substantially the shape of a flat disk, or the shape of a conical surface with an obtuse opening angle, or the shape of a spherical or ellipsoidal cap. Such an obtuse opening angle may be at least 120°, such as at least 135°, for example at least 150°, for example at least 165°.

[0076] The apparatus 1 may include multiple separate processing surfaces 10, 10A, 10B, e.g., a pair of processing surfaces. Each processing surface 10, 10A, 10B may be formed by a fluid processing surface as described above. Each of the two separate processing surfaces 10, 10A, 10B may have a corresponding central region 11, 11A, 11B at the axis of rotation 10′ and a corresponding peripheral region 12, 12A, 12B away from the axis of rotation 10′, extending between the central region 11, 11A, 11B and the peripheral region 12, 12A, 12B. Each of two such separate processing surfaces 10, 10A, 10B may be associated with at least one corresponding fluid input line 30, 30A, 30B having a fluid delivery opening 30′, 30A′, 30B′ configured to deliver a beverage ingredient fluid 21, 22 to the corresponding processing surface 10, 10A, 10B, e.g., each of the fluid input lines 30, 30A, 30B has a corresponding delivery opening 30′, 30A′, 30B′. The central region 11, 11A, 11B may be located closer to the or each fluid delivery opening 30, 30A′, 30B′ than to the or each receiving opening 40′, 40B′.

[0077] Two such separate treatment surfaces 10, 10A may be formed by a common substantially wall-shaped member 100, for example, the member extending in a substantially planar, conical, spherical or ellipsoidal shape, such as a substantially coin-like shape. The separate treatment surfaces 10, 10A may be formed by opposing faces of the member 100. For example, the member 100 has one or more through holes 101 extending from one 10A to the other 10A of these two separate treatment surfaces 10, 10A, fluidly connecting them through the member 100.

[0078] Two such separate processing surfaces 10, 10B may be formed by separate wall-shaped members 100, 100B, for example each member 100, 100B extending in a substantially planar or conical or spherical or ellipsoidal shape, such as a substantially coin-like shape. For example, the wall-shaped members 100, 100B may be arranged in separate processing cavities 50', 50B' and be rotatable.

[0079] In either configuration (including one or more wall-shaped members 100, 100B), the actuator 20 can actuate two or more of the processing surfaces 10, 10A, 10B to rotate about the rotation axis 10', for example, the processing surfaces 10, 10A, 10B rotating at the same speed or at different speeds (e.g., by being connected to different wall-shaped members 100, 100B via a motion conversion transmission device).

[0080] The processing surfaces 10, 10A, 10B may face a confinement wall 51, for example a confinement wall 51 that extends above and substantially parallel to the processing surfaces 10, 10A, 10B to define a fluid processing chamber 10a therebetween. The processing surfaces 10, 10A, 10B typically rotate relative to the confinement wall 51 about a rotation axis 10'.

[0081] The containment wall 51 may form or be part of a casing 50 that includes the containment wall 51 .

[0082] The confinement wall 51 may be spaced apart from the treatment surface 10, 10A, 10B, for example in the direction of the axis 10', by a distance in the range of 0.1 to 3 mm, such as 0.2 to 2.5 mm, for example less than 2 mm, for example in the range of 0.5 to 1.5 mm. For example, such a distance may be small enough to generate a Couette flow of the beverage ingredient fluids 21, 22 between the treatment surface 10, 10A, 10B and the confinement wall 51 during their relative rotation about the axis 10'.

[0083] The or one of the fluid input lines 30, 30A, 30B, 31, 32, 33 may be fluidly connected to a gas source configured to supply gas at ambient pressure or compressed gas to the treatment surface 10, 10A, 10B. For example, the gas source may be a source of air or carbon dioxide.

[0084] The or one of the fluid input lines 30, 30A, 30B, 31, 32, 33 may be fluidly connected to a source of liquid milk or milk-based liquid.

[0085] The or one of the fluid input lines 30, 30A, 30B, 31, 32, 33 may be fluidly connected to a source of liquid coffee or tea or chocolate.

[0086] The or one of the fluid input lines 30, 30A, 30B, 31, 32, 33 may be fluidly connected to a source of syrup.

[0087] The or at least one of the fluid input lines 30, 30A, 30B, 31, 32, 33 may be fluidly connected to a valve configured to control flow along such line 30, 30A, 30B, 31, 32, 33 to the treatment surface 10, 10A, 10B. For example, each of the fluid input lines 30, 30A, 30B, 31, 32, 33 may be fluidly connected to such a valve.

[0088] The or at least one output line 40, 40B may be fluidly connected to a valve configured to control flow along such line 40, 40B from the processing surface 10, 10A, 10B. For example, each of the fluid output lines 40, 40B may be fluidly connected to such a valve.

[0089] The receiving openings 40', 40B, or at least one thereof, may face the processing surface 10, 10A, 10B (Figures 1-7, 9 and 10) and / or may face the adjacent peripheral region 12, 12A, 12B (Figures 1-10).

[0090] The output lines 40, 40B can extend from the receiving openings 40', 40B' in a direction that is non-orthogonal to the rotation axis 10', for example parallel to the rotation axis 10', or at an angle in the range of 0 to 60 degrees, for example 15 to 45 degrees, relative to the rotation axis 10' (Figures 7, 9 and 10).

[0091] The output line 40 may extend from the receiving opening 40′ in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation 10′ or non-parallel to the axis of rotation 10′, such as at an angle in the range of 0 to 60 degrees, e.g., 15 to 45 degrees, relative to the axis of rotation 10′ (FIG. 8).

[0092] The or at least one output line 40 may extend from the receiving opening 40' along the direction of rotation 10'' of the processing surface 10 or at an acute angle thereto (Figure 8) to facilitate the output of the fluid 41 away from the processing surface 10.

[0093] The or at least one output line 40 may extend from the receiving opening 40' in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation 10'' of the processing surface 10 or at an acute angle thereto in order to slow down the output of the fluid 41 away from the processing surface 10.

[0094] The or at least one output line 40, 40B may extend from the receiving opening 40' substantially parallel to the rotation axis 10' (FIGS. 5-7 and 9-10).

[0095] The device 1 may include a control unit 60 .

[0096] The control unit 60 is connected to the actuator 20 and is capable of controlling the output of the actuator 20 to the processing surface 10, 10A, 10B, such as at least one of speed, direction, torque and power.

[0097] The control unit 60 is connected to one or more fluid input lines 30, 30A, 30B, 31, 32, 33 and can control the supply of fluid along them to the treatment surfaces 10, 10A, 10B. The control unit 60 may control at least one of opening and closing of the input lines 30, 30A, 30B, 31, 32, 33, the flow rate of fluid along the input lines 30, 30A, 30B, 31, 32, 33, the volume of fluid along the input lines 30, 30A, 30B, 31, 32, 33, and the mass of fluid along the input lines 30, 30A, 30B, 31, 32, 33.

[0098] The control unit 60 is connected to at least one fluid output line 40, 40B and can control the passage of fluid away from the treatment surface 10, 10A, 10B, such as at least one of opening and closing the output line 40, 40B, the flow rate of fluid along the line 40, 40B, the volume of fluid along the output line 40, 40B, and the mass of fluid along the output line 40, 40B.

[0099] The control unit 60 may be configured to control the rotation of the processing surfaces 10, 10A, 10B and / or other parts of the apparatus in order to mix on the processing surfaces 10, 10A, 10B at least two liquids supplied to the surfaces 10, 10A, 10B via separate fluid input lines 30, 30A, 30B, 31, 32, 33.

[0100] The control unit 60 can be configured to control the rotation of the processing surface 10, 10A, 10B and / or other device parts to mix at least one liquid with a gas, such as a gas at ambient pressure or a compressed gas, on the processing surface 10, 10A, 10B. The gas can be air or carbon dioxide. For example, the liquid is bubbled with the gas.

[0101] The control unit 60 may be configured to control the rotation of the processing surfaces 10, 10A, 10B and / or other apparatus parts to pump one or more liquids from fluid input lines 30, 30A, 30B, 31, 32, 33 to fluid output lines 40, 40B along the processing surfaces 10, 10A, 10B.

[0102] The apparatus 1 may have one or more fluid sources, such as at least one of a fluid container and a connector to an external fluid source, and the or each fluid line 30, 30A, 30B, 31, 32, 33 is connected to the or each fluid source 30, 30A, 30B, 31, 32, 33. The or at least one fluid source may be connected to the fluid lines 30, 30A, 30B, 31, 32, 33 via one or more components selected from thermal regulators, e.g., heaters and / or coolers, pumps, valves, and fluid sensors, such as flow meters, heat sensors, pressure sensors, and devices configured to perform extraction on the ingredient capsules.

[0103] During operation of the device 1, the following steps are performed: An actuator 20 actuates the treatment surface 10, 10A, 10B to rotate about the axis of rotation 10'; The beverage ingredient fluids 21, 22 are delivered to the processing surfaces 10, 10A, 10B via the delivery openings 30′, 30A′, 30B′ of the fluid input lines 30, 30A, 30B, 31, 32, 33, so as to process the beverage ingredient fluids; and A fluid 41 (typically a processed beverage ingredient fluid) is directed away from the processing surfaces 10, 10A, 10B via receiving openings 40', 40B' in the fluid output lines 40, 40B.

[0104] The treatment surface 10, 10A, 10B has a central region 11, 11A, 11B at the axis of rotation 10′ and a peripheral region 12, 12A, 12B distal to the axis of rotation 10′, extending between the central region 11, 11A, 11B and the peripheral region 12, 12A, 12B. The central region 11, 11A, 11B is located closer to the or each fluid delivery opening 30′, 30A′, 30B′ than the or each receiving opening 40′, 40B′.

Claims

1. An apparatus (1) for processing at least one beverage raw material fluid (21, 22), said apparatus comprising: a fluid treatment surface (10, 10A, 10B) rotatable about an axis of rotation (10'), optionally extending continuously or provided with one or more discontinuities such as protrusions or recesses, e.g. through holes (101) and / or blind holes (102); an actuator (20) configured to actuate said treatment surface (10, 10A, 10B) to rotate about said axis of rotation (10'), for example via a mechanical and / or magnetic coupling, e.g. a motor, such as an electric motor, optionally configured to actuate said treatment surface (10, 10A, 10B) to rotate said treatment surface (10, 10A, 10B) about said axis of rotation (10') at a speed in the range of 500 to 25000 RPM, for example 1000 to 20000 RPM, for example 2000 to 18000 RPM, for example 3000 to 16000 RPM; at least one fluid input line (30, 30A, 30B, 31, 32, 33) having fluid delivery openings (30', 30A', 30B') configured to deliver said beverage ingredient fluid (21, 22) to said processing surface (10), optionally each of said fluid input lines (30, 30A, 30B, 31, 32, 33) having such a delivery opening (30', 30A', 30B'), e.g., through which said beverage ingredient fluid (21, 22) is delivered as a single ingredient or as a combination of ingredients; at least one fluid output line (40, 40B) having a receiving opening (40', 40B') configured to direct a fluid (41) away from said treatment surface (10, 10A, 10B); Equipped with Optionally, such an apparatus (1) further comprises a thermal conditioner, such as a heater and / or a cooler, configured to thermally condition said beverage ingredient fluids (21, 22) upon delivery by said delivery openings and before receipt by said receiving openings (40′, 40B′), the treated surface (10, 10A, 10B) has a central region (11, 11A, 11B) at the axis of rotation (10') and peripheral regions (12, 12A, 12B) remote from the axis of rotation (10'), extending between the central region (11, 11A, 11B) and the peripheral region (12, 12A, 12B), the central region (11, 11A, 11B) being arranged closer to the or each fluid delivery opening (30', 30A', 30B') than the or each receiving opening (40', 40B'), and optionally the or at least one or all of the fluid delivery openings (30', 30A', 30B') facing the treated surface (10, 10A, 10B), Device (1).

2. said treatment surface (10, 10A, 10B) extends from said central region (11, 11A, 11B) to said peripheral region (12, 12A, 12B) in a substantially planar or conical or spherical or ellipsoidal manner, optionally said treatment surface (10, 10A, 10B) having substantially the shape of a flat disk, a spherical or ellipsoidal cap or a conical surface with an obtuse opening angle, for example an obtuse angle of at least 120°, for example at least 135°, such as at least 150°, for example at least 165°; 10. The apparatus of claim 1.

3. The apparatus comprises a plurality of separate treatment surfaces (10, 10A, 10B), each formed of the fluid treatment surface, and each of the two separate treatment surfaces (10, 10A, 10B) has a corresponding central region (11, 11A, 11B) at the rotation axis (10') and a corresponding peripheral region (12, 12A, 12B) spaced apart from the rotation axis (10'), extending between the central region (11, 11A, 11B) and the peripheral region (12, 12A, 12B), and each of the two separate treatment surfaces (10, 10A, 10B) is configured to apply beverage ingredients to the corresponding treatment surface (10, 10A, 10B). associated with at least one corresponding fluid input line (30, 30A, 30B) having a fluid delivery opening (30', 30A', 30B') configured to deliver a fluid (21, 22), e.g., each of said fluid input lines (30, 30A, 30B) having a corresponding delivery opening (30', 30A', 30B'), said central region (11, 11A, 11B) being located closer to said or each fluid delivery opening (30, 30A', 30B') than to said or each receiving opening (40', 40B'), and said two separate treatment surfaces (10, 10A, 10B) being, e.g., a common substantially wall-shaped member (100), e.g. a substantially planar or conical or spherical or ellipsoidal elongated member, such as a substantially coin-shaped member, wherein the separate treatment surfaces (10, 10A) are formed by opposite faces of the member (100), e.g. the member (100) comprises one or more through holes (101) extending from one (10) of the two separate treatment surfaces (10, 10A) to the other (10A) of the two such separate treatment surfaces (10, 10A) and fluidly connecting them through the member (100); or formed by separate wall-shaped members (100, 100B), e.g., each member (100, 100B) being substantially coin-shaped and extending substantially planar, conical, spherical or ellipsoidal, e.g., said wall-shaped members (100, 100B) being arranged and rotatable within separate processing cavities (50′, 50B′); Optionally, said actuator (20) actuates two or more of said treatment surfaces (10, 10A, 10B) to rotate about said axis of rotation (10'), e.g., said treatment surfaces (10, 10A, 10B) rotate at the same speed or at different speeds.

3. The device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The processing surface (10, 10A, 10B) faces a containment wall (51), for example a containment wall (51) extending substantially parallel to and above the processing surface (10, 10A, 10B), to define a fluid processing chamber (10a) between the processing surface and the containment wall, and the processing surface (10, 10A, 10B) rotates relative to the containment wall (51) about the rotation axis (10'), for example the containment wall (51) is forming or being part of a casing (50) containing said containment wall (51); and / or for example, spaced axially (10') from said treatment surface (10, 10A, 10B) by a distance in the range of 0.1 to 3 mm, such as 0.2 to 2.5 mm, for example less than 2 mm, for example in the range of 0.5 to 1.5 mm, optionally said distance being sufficiently small to generate a Couette flow of said beverage ingredient fluid (21, 22) between said treatment surface (10, 10A, 10B) and said confinement wall (51) during their relative rotation about said rotation axis (10'); An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. 5. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the or one of the fluid input lines (30, 30A, 30B, 31, 32, 33) is fluidly connected to a gas source configured to supply gas at ambient pressure or compressed gas to the treatment surface (10, 10A, 10B), optionally the gas source being a source of air or carbon dioxide.

6. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the or one of the fluid input lines (30, 30A, 30B, 31, 32, 33) is fluidly connected to a source of liquid milk or a milk-based liquid.

7. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the or one of the fluid input lines (30, 30A, 30B, 31, 32, 33) is fluidly connected to a source of liquid coffee or tea or chocolate.

8. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the or one of the fluid input lines (30, 30A, 30B, 31, 32, 33) is fluidly connected to a source of syrup.

9. 9. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the or at least one of the fluid input lines (30, 30A, 30B, 31, 32, 33) is fluidly connected to a valve configured to control flow along the line (30, 30A, 30B, 31, 32, 33) to the treatment surface (10A, 10, 10B), and optionally each line of the fluid input lines (30, 30A, 30B, 31, 32, 33) is fluidly connected to a valve.

10. 10. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the or at least one output line (40, 40B) is fluidly connected to a valve configured to control flow along the line (40, 40B) from the treatment surface (10, 10A, 10B), and optionally each line of the fluid output lines (40, 40B) is fluidly connected to a valve.

11. The or at least one of the receiving openings (40', 40B') faces the processing surface (10, 10A, 10B) and / or is adjacent to the peripheral region (12, 12A, 12B), and the output lines (40, 40B) extend from the receiving openings (40'): non-orthogonal to the axis of rotation (10'), for example parallel to the axis of rotation (10'), or at an angle in the range of 0 to 60°, for example 15 to 45°, to the axis of rotation (10'); or non-parallel to the rotation axis (10'), for example perpendicular to the rotation axis (10'), or at an angle in the range of 0 to 60°, for example 15 to 45°, to the rotation axis (10') It extends in the direction An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. The or at least one output line (40, 40B) extends from the receiving opening (40', 40B') along or at an acute angle to the direction of rotation (10'') of the treatment surface (10, 10A, 10B) to facilitate the exit of the fluid (41) away from the treatment surface (10, 10A, 10B), or extending opposite to or at an acute angle to the direction of rotation (10'') of the treatment surface (10, 10A, 10B) to slow down the output of the fluid (41) leaving the treatment surface (10, 10A, 10B); An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. A control unit (60) is provided, the control unit (60) the actuator (20) for controlling the output of the actuator (20) to the treatment surface (10, 10A, 10B), such as at least one of speed, direction, torque, and power; the one or more fluid input lines (30, 30A, 30B, 31, 32, 33) for controlling the supply of the fluid to the treatment surface (10, 10A, 10B), such as at least one of opening and closing the input lines (30, 30A, 30B, 31, 32, 33), the flow rate of the fluid along the input lines (30, 30A, 30B, 31, 32, 33), the volume of the fluid along the input lines (30, 30A, 30B, 31, 32, 33), and the mass of the fluid along the input lines (30, 30A, 30B, 31, 32, 33); and the at least one fluid output line (40, 40B) for controlling the passage of fluid away from the treatment surface (10, 10A, 10B), such as at least one of opening and closing the output line (40, 40B), the flow rate of fluid along the line (40, 40B), the volume of fluid along the output line (40, 40B), and the mass of fluid along the output line (40, 40B); connected to one or more of Optionally, said control unit (60) is mixing on said treatment surface (10, 10A, 10B) at least two liquids supplied to said treatment surface (10, 10A, 10B) via separate fluid input lines (30, 30A, 30B, 31, 32, 33); mixing, on said treatment surface (10, 10A, 10B), at least one liquid with one gas, such as a gas at ambient pressure or a compressed gas, for example air or carbon dioxide, optionally bubbling said liquid with said gas; pumping one or more liquids from said fluid input lines (30, 30A, 30B, 31, 32, 33) to said fluid output lines (40, 40B) along said treatment surface (10, 10A, 10B); configured to control the rotation of the treatment surface (10, 10A, 10B) and / or other device parts to achieve at least one of An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. having one or more fluid sources, such as at least one of a fluid container and a connector to an external fluid source, the or each fluid line (30, 30A, 30B, 31, 32, 33) being connected to the or one of the fluid sources, and optionally the or at least one fluid source being connected to its fluid line (30, 30A, 30B, 31, 32, 33) via one or more components selected from: a thermal regulator, e.g. a heater and / or cooler, a pump, a valve, and fluid sensors, such as a flow meter, a heat sensor, a pressure sensor, a device configured to extract ingredient capsules; An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. A method for treating at least one beverage ingredient fluid (21, 22) in an apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 14, comprising: actuating said treatment surface (10, 10A, 10B) using said actuator (20) to rotate about said axis of rotation (10'); delivering the beverage ingredient fluid (21, 22) to the processing surface (10, 10A, 10B) through the delivery openings (30', 30A', 30B') of the fluid input lines (30, 30A, 30B, 31, 32, 33) to process the beverage ingredient fluid; directing the fluid (41) away from the treatment surface (10, 10A, 10B) through the receiving opening (40', 40B') of the fluid output line (40, 40B); Including, the treatment surface (10, 10A, 10B) has a central region (11, 11A, 11B) at the axis of rotation (10') and a peripheral region (12, 12A, 12B) remote from the axis of rotation (10'), extending between the central region (11, 11A, 11B) and the peripheral region (12, 12A, 12B), the central region (11, 11A, 11B) being located closer to the or each fluid delivery opening (30', 30A', 30B') than the or each receiving opening (40', 40B'); method.

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