A machine for heating and stirring liquid food substances, equipped with a stopping device.
The machine addresses the inefficiencies of existing milk frothing appliances by using a temperature-controlled stirrer and heating system to prevent overheating and protein adhesion, ensuring safe and easy cleaning of milk-based liquids.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- SOCIETE DES PRODUITS NESTLE SA
- Filing Date
- 2021-12-07
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-15
AI Technical Summary
Existing appliances for heating and frothing milk-based liquids are inefficient in preventing the adhesion of cooked proteins, difficult to clean, and require complex mechanisms that are prone to dirtiness, making them unsuitable for microbiologically vulnerable liquids like milk.
A machine with a tank, stirrer, and heating surface controlled by a temperature sensor and control unit that stops the agitator and heating surface upon completion to prevent overheating, using induction or resistance heating, and allows for adjustable stirring and heating profiles.
Effectively prevents overheating and adhesion of proteins, ensuring easy cleaning and safe processing of milk-based liquids by controlling the stirrer and heating surface based on temperature feedback.
Smart Images
Figure 0007860110000001
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0005]
[0001] The field of the present invention relates to a machine for treating liquid food substances such as milk or milk-based substances by heating and stirring the substances in a tank.
Background Art
[0002] Specialty beverages made at least in part from foamed or heated milk are becoming increasingly popular. The most well-known beverage of this type is the cappuccino-type coffee. It comprises a liquid portion of coffee covered by a layer of foamed milk that floats on the surface of the liquid due to its very low density. Generally, preparing such a cup requires time, skillful operation, and cleaning.
[0003] The most common method of adjusting milk-based foam is to pour a desired amount of milk into a container, dip the steam outlet pipe from a coffee machine into the container, and stir the milk up and down to introduce the air necessary to form foam.
[0004] There are also mechanical stirring appliances generally intended for household use for foaming more or less viscous food products such as eggs, ice cream, juice, etc. These appliances are generally not suitable for foaming microbiologically vulnerable liquids such as milk. It is necessary to assume regular cleaning of the tank of the appliance to remove solid food residues. Furthermore, when milk is heated, there is a tendency for cooked or charred proteins to deposit and adhere to the surface to an increasing extent. Existing appliances are in most cases not very suitable for reducing the adhesion of this solid residue and are difficult to clean. These appliances also have a stirring and drive mechanism that is fixed and penetrates into the tank, which gives rise to several drawbacks. That is, the removal / reattachment time is not short, it tends to get dirty more quickly, it requires additional costs as a result of having more components, and it is difficult to clean the stirring means.
[0005] U.S. Patent No. 6,318,247 relates to an apparatus for preparing hot beverages or foods, such as hot chocolate, by stirring. Other apparatuses for stirring food products are described in International Publication No. 2004 / 043213, German Patent Nos. 8915094, 19624648, U.S. Patent No. 2,932,493, 1131372, U.S. Patent Nos. 3,356,349, 4,537,332, and 6,712,497. Improved apparatuses for creating foam from milk-based liquids or milk are proposed in International Publications 2006 / 050900, 2008 / 142154, 2009 / 074555, 2010 / 023313, 2011 / 039222, 2011 / 039224, 2011 / 144647, PCT / EP20 / 069482, and PCT / EP20 / 069485. Such apparatuses typically include an internal tank for receiving the liquid to be frothed, in which a rotatable agitator is arranged; an external stand for holding the tank; drive and control means located in a cavity between the internal tank and the external stand and communicating with switches and electrical connections located on the outer surface of the stand; and agitation means for optimizing the circulation of the milk during frothing. Further apparatus for stirring food products such as milk-based products is disclosed in International Publication Nos. 2016 / 202814, 2016 / 202815, 2016 / 202816, 2016 / 202817, 2016 / 202818, 2018 / 108804, 2018 / 108807, 2018 / 108808, 2019 / 101764, 2019 / 101765, 2019 / 185782, 2019 / 185784, 2019 / 185785, and 2019 / 211213.
[0006] In order to prevent liquid food substances from coming into contact with and burning the heated surface inside the processing tank, it has been proposed in International Publication No. 2017 / 098037 to change the mixing operation in order to displace hot spots on the heated surface and avoid localized overheating. [Overview of the initiative]
[0007] A preferred object of the present invention is to provide a machine for heating liquid food substances, for example, heating and optionally frothing milk or a milk-based liquid, while preventing or suppressing the burning of the food substance.
[0008] Therefore, the present invention is A tank for containing and processing liquid food substances such as milk or milk-based substances, For example, a stirrer located inside the tank to exert a mechanical action on the liquid food substance inside the tank, A heating surface configured to come into contact with and heat liquid food material in a tank, for example, a heating surface housed in or defining the boundary of a tank, and / or a heating surface defining the boundary of a stirrer, wherein the heating surface is optionally associated with a heat generating device configured to supply heat to the heating surface, such as an induction heating device and / or a resistance heating device, for example, a resistance thick film or discrete resistor. The present invention relates to a machine having a temperature sensor for directly or indirectly detecting the temperature of a heating surface and / or the temperature of liquid food material in a tank, the temperature sensor being, for example, at least one of NTC, PTC and thermocouple.
[0009] The machine includes a control unit configured to control the operation of a stirrer connected to a temperature sensor, which exerts a mechanical action on the liquid food substance in the tank, and the operation of a heating surface for heating the liquid food substance in the tank.
[0010] The control unit may include a controller and a memory device containing programs and data for controlling the components described herein.
[0011] The control unit is configured to stop the agitator and the heating surface when the processing of liquid food material is complete, for example, when a temperature sensor detects the completion temperature.
[0012] To stop the agitator and heating surface, the control unit is configured to stop the heating surface, and then, after the heating surface has stopped operating, to stop the agitator at the end of the run-off time determined by the control unit based on the run-off temperature detected by the temperature sensor and acquired by the control unit.
[0013] For example, the decay time begins when the heating surface stops operating, or when the decay temperature is acquired (if the temperature is acquired only once by the control unit), or when one of the decay temperatures is acquired (if the temperature is acquired multiple times by the control unit).
[0014] Therefore, after the heating of the heating surface has stopped, the agitator continues to stir at the end of processing the liquid food substance. The temperature is measured via a temperature sensor after the heating surface has stopped, and optionally, temperatures already measured before the heating surface has stopped may also be taken into consideration. For example, to avoid even overheating or burning of the liquid food substance in contact with the heating surface caused by insufficient movement of the liquid food substance on the heating surface, the agitator is stopped if the measured temperature indicates that it is ready to stop. Thus, the agitator can be kept running for a short time at the end of processing (and adjusted to suit each liquid food processing) while reducing or suppressing the risk of undesirable overheating (or burning) of the liquid on the heating surface (which is still too hot). Such a short period may be on the order of a few seconds, as will be discussed below. This period will vary depending on the properties and quantity of the liquid food substance in the tank, as well as the heating of the heating surface during processing, and in some cases, also depending on the stirring of the liquid food substance in the tank (and the presence or absence of bubbles resulting from this stirring, which affects the thermal conductivity of the liquid food substance).
[0015] The machine may be a standalone machine, for example, which can be directly connected to a mains power source via an electrical cord, or it may be integrated into a food processor configured to process other foods or perform different food preparation methods, where the food processor itself can generally be connected to a mains power source via an electrical cord, while the machine is a subpart of the food processor. Such a processor may be a beverage maker, such as a coffee maker, or a beverage maker configured to prepare a beverage (such as coffee) from raw material capsules.
[0016] Related technologies for standalone and integrated milk processing equipment and coffee makers are disclosed, for example, in International Publication Nos. 2006 / 050900, 2008 / 142154, 2009 / 074555, 2010 / 023312, and 2010 / 023313.
[0017] Typically, during processing (and before the aforementioned shutdown), heating of the heating surface, operation of the agitator, and flow disturbance (if any) can generally be performed simultaneously.
[0018] The heating surface may be configured to receive heat from a heat generating device that incorporates any of the features of a device for stirring food, such as a device for frothing milk, as disclosed in the above-mentioned references to the existing technology.
[0019] The temperature sensor may be configured to detect the temperature of a part that is thermally in communication with the liquid food substance inside the tank, for example, the tank, and / or a stirrer, and / or a heating surface, and / or a part of a heat generating device associated with the heating surface.
[0020] The temperature sensor may be fixed to a heat generating device having a support and a resistance heating track (e.g., a PCB) supported by the support. The sensor may be supported by a support spaced apart from the heating track.
[0021] Therefore, temperature changes in the heating surface or heat generator can be detected by the sensor with a delay. The end of temperature rise or fall or flattening of the heating surface can be detected by the sensor with a delay, for example, due to thermal inertia. This can be due to various reasons, such as the sensor being located far from the heating surface or from the uneven temperature of the heating surface (e.g., showing a hot spot), and the low thermal conductivity of the material between the temperature sensor and the heating surface, selected from materials such as ceramic materials, polymer materials, semiconductors, air, and combinations thereof.
[0022] The support for the heat generator can be made from a non-thermal-conducting material (e.g., a non-conductive polymer or ceramic), and / or the support may be fixed to the tank adjacent to the heating surface, or may form the heating surface.
[0023] The control unit is By the detected decay temperature itself, and / or by the change in the detected decay temperature corresponding to a threshold, or by a loop control mechanism linked to the control of a stirrer, for example, a proportional and / or differential and / or integral type, that responds to the detected decay temperature; and / or The system may be configured to determine the decrease time by further considering temperature fluctuations detected by a temperature sensor before the heating surface is shut down.
[0024] The control unit may be configured to continuously or intermittently acquire the decreasing temperature detected by the temperature sensor after the heating surface has stopped operating, at time intervals of any choice ranging from 0.001 to 1 second, for example, 0.05 to 0.8 seconds, for example, 0.15 to 0.6 seconds, for example, 0.2 to 0.4 seconds.
[0025] The control unit determines that the acquired decreasing temperature is When the temperature changes over time at a rate below the threshold, for example, less than 0.5°C / second, for example less than 0.2°C / second, for example less than 0.1°C / second, or optionally less than 0°C / second, and / or A threshold equal to the temperature detected by the sensor when the heating surface stops operating, or a threshold at least 0.1 °C lower, for example at least 0.2 °C lower, than the temperature detected by the sensor when the heating surface stops operating. When the threshold is reached, for example when the threshold is exceeded, and / or For example, after reaching the maximum temperature detected by the sensor when the heating surface stops operating or after the heating surface stops operating, if the temperature drops by at least 0.1 °C, for example at least 0.4 °C, for example at least 0.9 °C, it can be configured to stop the stirrer.
[0026] The control unit may be configured to obtain the decreasing temperature detected by the temperature sensor within a predetermined period after the heating surface stops operating, for example within a predetermined period in the range of 0.2 to 3 seconds, for example 0.5 to 2 seconds, for example 0.75 to 1.5 seconds, and then calculate the decreasing time based on the obtained decreasing temperature. After a predetermined period after the heating surface stops operating, the control unit may obtain a plurality of, for example, within the range of 2 to 5, for example 3 or 4, decreasing temperatures at different time points, for example at time intervals within the range of 0.1 to 1 second, for example 0.2 to 0.7 second, for example 0.3 to 0.6 second, and calculate the decreasing time based on the decreasing temperatures obtained in this way.
[0027] The control unit may be configured to stop the heating surface, and then stop the stirrer when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor and obtained by the control unit reaches a predetermined processing threshold within the range of, for example, 50 to 85 °C, for example 55 to 70 °C, for example 60 to 65 °C, after the heating surface has been operated.
[0028] The control unit may be configured to stop the heating surface and then stop the stirrer after a predetermined period after the control unit has operated the heating surface and / or the stirrer. The predetermined period may depend on the level and / or profile of the operation of the stirrer and / or the heating surface.
[0029] The control unit may have a safety mode, and in the safety mode, After the heating surface has stopped operating, when the cool-off safety time has been reached, for example, within the range of 5-60 seconds, 7-45 seconds, or 10-30 seconds, the stirrer shall be stopped, and / or The system is configured to stop operating the agitator and / or heating surface when a processing safety time, for example, within the range of 120-240 seconds, 140-180 seconds, or 150-160 seconds, is reached after the agitator and / or heating surface has been activated.
[0030] The typically pre-set safety time or decay time for a particular process usually depends on the minimum expected volume of liquid food material being processed in the tank, as well as the tank's geometric shape and thermal properties, and optionally, the position of the agitator. Typically, the smaller the volume of liquid food material in the tank, the slower the heat dissipation through the material, resulting in a longer decay time and, consequently, a longer safety time.
[0031] For example, the control unit is configured to stop the heating surface after a processing safety time, and then, as described above, to stop the agitator at the end of a reduction time determined by the control unit based on the reduction temperature detected by the temperature sensor and acquired by the control unit after the heating surface has stopped operating.
[0032] The control unit may be configured to operate the stirrer and / or heating surface to reach different levels and / or follow different operating profiles during processing, for example, to follow different stirrer speeds and / or temperature profiles or levels depending on the characteristics of the liquid food substance at the time of processing, as requested, for example, by the user. For example, the user may be given the opportunity to select from different temperatures and / or mixing and / or frothing characteristics of the liquid food substance at the time of processing.
[0033] Examples of processes having different levels and / or profiles of temperature / rate are disclosed, for example, in PCT / EP20 / 069482.
[0034] The machine may have a powered chamber.
[0035] The powered chamber may include a control unit. The control unit may be associated with a user interface such as one or more push buttons, touch buttons, and touchscreens. The control unit may be associated with a data communication device such as a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth® communication device for communication with a remote interface such as a smartphone or tablet.
[0036] The powered chamber may include the heat generator described above or a single heat generator. The heat generator may be adjacent to the heating surface. The heat generator may be configured to transfer heat and / or electromagnetic energy to the heating surface to operate it. A control unit typically controls the power supply to the heat generator.
[0037] The powered chamber may include a motor for driving the agitator, such as an electric motor, which has an output shaft and a magnetic coupling for magnetically driving the agitator. A control unit typically controls the power supply to the motor.
[0038] The power supply chamber may include power input devices such as connectors to an external power source. Such connectors may be fixed to the power supply chamber and connected to a corresponding connector fixed to a power base having an electrical cord for connecting to, for example, a household power outlet, or they may be fixed to the power supply chamber for connection to the corresponding connector. The connectors may be STRIX type connectors.
[0039] The power supply chamber may be located adjacent to the tank.
[0040] The powered chamber may be defined by a housing.
[0041] Such housing may extend to at least a portion of the tank, and optionally cover at least a portion of the tank.
[0042] The tank can be fixed to the housing or integrated with the housing.
[0043] The tank may be separable from the housing by the user, for example, to dispense liquid food substances at the time of processing.
[0044] The agitator has mobility within the tank during operation, such as rotational capability within the tank, for example, rotational capability about an axis that is parallel, oblique, or at a certain angle to the central axis of the processing cavity in the tank, and the processing cavity is mobile, containing the liquid food substance during processing. The tank axis is typically upright during the processing of the liquid food substance.
[0045] The agitator may include one or more impeller members configured to come into contact with the liquid food substance and exert a mechanical action upon it. For example, such impeller members are radially extending baffle members and / or annularly extending toroidal members formed by helical springs, such as toroidal members attached to one or more baffle members.
[0046] The agitator may be equipped with a mechanical connector that is movably connected to the corresponding connector on the tank.
[0047] The agitator may include one or more magnetic and ferromagnetic elements for the magnetic coupling to the motor described above, or for one magnetic coupling to one motor.
[0048] The agitator may have a configuration that exerts a mechanical effect on the liquid food substance in the tank by rotating within the tank at a rotational speed in the range of 300 to 10000 RPM, for example, 500 to 7500 RPM, for example, 900 to 5000 RPM, or for example, 1250 to 4250 RPM.
[0049] The agitator may have a configuration that substantially continuously exerts a mechanical action on the liquid food substance in the tank when the heating surface heats the liquid food substance in the tank.
[0050] The agitator may be configured to act on the liquid food substance in the tank for a period of 3 to 15 seconds, for example, 5 to 10 seconds, before activating the heating surface.
[0051] The tank may include a movable or removable lid for closing the mouth of the tank through which liquid food substances are supplied into and / or dispensed from the tank. For example, the mouth may include a dispensing spout that may be located at the mouth.
[0052] The tank may have at least one obstruction that interferes with the flow of liquid food material inside the tank during processing.
[0053] Examples of such configurations (cavities with obstacles and / or off-axis agitator action) are disclosed, for example, in International Publication No. 2006 / 050900.
[0054] The tank may have the aforementioned central axis or one central axis that forms the central axis of the processing cavity or one processing cavity. The processing cavity typically contains liquid food material during processing. The cavity may have a substantially cylindrical, parallelepiped, truncated cone, or truncated pyramidal shape extending along the central axis. This shape may be substantially uniform along the central axis or may be a combination of parts of the different shapes described above.
[0055] The present invention also relates to a method for preventing or suppressing the burning of liquid food substances, such as milk or milk-based substances, at the end of processing in the tank of the machine as described above. a) A step of stopping the heating surface from operating, and thereafter, b) The control unit acquires the decreasing temperature detected by the sensor after the heating surface has stopped operating, and the control unit determines the end of the decreasing time based on the decreasing temperature. c) The control unit stops the agitator at the end of the decrease time, including the step of stopping the agitator operation.
[0056] Once this is complete, the processed liquid food substance may be ready to be dispensed from the tank for immediate consumption or for combination with other beverage ingredients (e.g., coffee, chocolate, or cocoa). [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0057] The present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. [Figure 1] This is a perspective cross-sectional view of the machine according to the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0058] Figure 1 shows a non-limiting embodiment of machine 1 according to the present invention.
[0059] Machine 1 has a tank 21 for containing and processing liquid food substances such as milk or milk-based substances.
[0060] Machine 1 includes a stirrer 4, located, for example, inside the tank 21, for exerting a mechanical action on the liquid food substance in the tank 21.
[0061] Machine 1 includes heating surfaces 6 configured to come into contact with and heat liquid food material in tank 21, for example, heating surfaces 6 housed within tank 21 or defining the boundaries of tank 21, and / or heating surfaces 6 defining the boundaries of stirrer 4.
[0062] For example, the heating surface 6 is associated with a heat generating device 6' configured to supply heat to the heating surface 6. The heat generating device 6' may be an induction heating device and / or a resistance heating device, such as a thick-film resistor or a discrete resistor.
[0063] Machine 1 has a temperature sensor 81 for directly or indirectly detecting the temperature of the heating surface 6 and / or the liquid food substance in the tank.
[0064] Machine 1 includes a control unit 8 connected to a temperature sensor 81 and configured to control the operation of a stirrer 4 for applying mechanical action to the liquid food substance in the tank 21 and a heating surface 6 for heating the liquid food substance in the tank 21.
[0065] The control unit 8 is configured to stop the agitator 4 and the heating surface 6, for example, by stopping the heat generating device 6' associated with the heating surface 6 or one of the heat generating devices 6', when the processing of liquid food material is completed, for example, when the temperature sensor 81 detects the completion temperature.
[0066] In order to stop the operation of the agitator 4 and the heating surface 6, the control unit 8 is configured to stop the operation of the heating surface 6, and then, after the heating surface 6 has stopped operating, to stop the operation of the agitator 4 at the end of the reduction time determined by the control unit 8 based on the reduction temperature detected by the temperature sensor 81 and acquired by the control unit 8.
[0067] The temperature sensor 81 may be configured to detect the temperature of parts 4, 6, 6', 21 that are thermally in communication with the liquid food substance in the tank 21, for example, the tank 21 and / or the stirrer 4 and / or the heating surface 6 and / or the aforementioned heat generator 6' or a part of one heat generator 6' associated with the heating surface 6.
[0068] The temperature sensor 81 may be fixed to a heat generator 6' having a support and a resistance heating track supported by the support (e.g., a PCB), wherein the sensor 81 is supported by a support spaced apart from the heating track. The support may be made of a non-thermally conductive material. The support may be fixed to the tank 21 adjacent to the heating surface 6. The support may form the heating surface 6.
[0069] The control unit 8 controls the reduction time, By the detected decay temperature itself, and / or by the change in the detected decay temperature corresponding to a threshold, or by a loop control mechanism linked to the control of a stirrer, for example, a proportional and / or differential and / or integral type, that responds to the detected decay temperature; and / or The system may be configured to make the determination by further considering temperature fluctuations detected by the temperature sensor 81 before the heating surface is shut down.
[0070] The control unit 8 may be configured to continuously or intermittently acquire the decreasing temperature detected by the temperature sensor 81 after the heating surface 6 has stopped operating, at time intervals within the range of 0.001 to 1 second, for example 0.05 to 0.8 seconds, for example 0.15 to 0.6 seconds, for example 0.2 to 0.4 seconds.
[0071] The control unit 8 determines that the acquired decreasing temperature is When the temperature changes over time at a rate below the threshold, for example, less than 0.5°C / second, for example less than 0.2°C / second, for example less than 0.1°C / second, or optionally less than 0°C / second, and / or When the temperature reaches a threshold equal to the temperature detected by the sensor 81 when the heating surface 6 is stopped operating, or a threshold at least 0.1°C, for example at least 0.2°C lower than the temperature detected by the sensor 81 when the heating surface 6 is stopped operating, for example when the temperature falls below the threshold, and / or For example, if the temperature drops by at least 0.1°C, for example at least 0.4°C, or for example at least 0.9°C, after the heating surface 6 has stopped operating or after it has stopped operating and reached the maximum temperature detected by the sensor 81, The stirrer 4 may be configured to stop operating.
[0072] Control unit 8 is, During a predetermined period after the heating surface 6 has stopped operating, for example, within the range of 0.2 to 3 seconds, 0.5 to 2 seconds, or 0.75 to 1.5 seconds, the decreasing temperature detected by the temperature sensor 81 is acquired. The system may be configured to calculate the decay time based on the acquired decay temperature.
[0073] The control unit 8 may be configured to acquire multiple, for example, 2 to 5, for example, 3 or 4, decreasing temperatures at different time intervals, for example, within the range of 0.1 to 1 second, for example 0.2 to 0.7 seconds, or for example 0.3 to 0.6 seconds, after a predetermined period after the heating surface has stopped operating, and to calculate the decreasing time based on the decreasing temperatures thus acquired.
[0074] The control unit 8 may be configured to stop the operation of the heating surface 6, and then stop the operation of the stirrer 4 when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 81 and acquired by the control unit 8 reaches a predetermined processing threshold after the heating surface 6 has been activated, for example, within the range of 50 to 85°C, 55 to 70°C, or 60 to 65°C.
[0075] The control unit 8 can be configured to deactivate the heating surface 6 and / or the stirrer 4 after a predetermined period of time following the activation of the heating surface 6 and / or the stirrer 4. The predetermined period may depend on the level and / or profile 41, 42 of the operation of the stirrer 4 and / or the heating surface 6. For example, after startup, when liquid food material is being processed in the tank 21, the stirrer 4 may move at different speeds 41, 42.
[0076] The control unit 8 may have a safety mode, and in the safety mode, the unit 8 After the heating surface 6 has stopped operating, when the cool-off safety time, which is within the range of 5 to 60 seconds, 7 to 45 seconds, or 10 to 30 seconds, is reached, the stirrer 4 is stopped, and / or The system is configured to stop operating the agitator 4 and / or heating surface 6 when a processing safety time, for example, within the range of 120 to 240 seconds, 140 to 180 seconds, or 150 to 160 seconds, is reached after the agitator 4 and / or heating surface 6 have been activated. Optionally, the control unit 8 is configured to stop operating the heating surface 6 after the processing safety time, and then to stop operating the agitator 4 at the end of a reduction time determined by the control unit 8 based on the reduction temperature detected by the temperature sensor 81 and acquired by the control unit 8 after the heating surface 6 has stopped operating.
[0077] The control unit 8 may be configured to operate the stirrer 4 and / or heating surface 6 to reach different levels and / or follow different operating profiles 41, 42 during processing, for example, to follow different stirrer speeds and / or temperature profiles or levels 41, 42 according to the characteristics of the liquid food substance at the time of processing, such as different temperatures and / or mixing and / or foaming characteristics, as requested, for example, by the user.
[0078] Machine 1 may have a power supply chamber 5.
[0079] Chamber 5 may house a control unit 8. Such a control unit 8 may be associated with a user interface 80, such as one or more push buttons, touch buttons, and touchscreens, and / or a data communication device, such as a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth communication device, for communication with a remote interface, such as a smartphone or tablet.
[0080] Chamber 5 may house the heat generator 6' described above or one heat generator 6'. For example, the heat generator 6' is adjacent to the heating surface 6. The heat generator 6' may be configured to transfer heat and / or electromagnetic energy to the heating surface 6 to operate it, and the control unit 8 typically controls the power supply to the heat generator 6'.
[0081] Chamber 5 may house a motor 52, such as an electric motor, for driving the agitator 4. The motor 52 may have an output shaft 51 and a magnetic coupling 50 for magnetically driving the agitator 4. The control unit 8 typically controls the power supply to the motor 52.
[0082] Chamber 5 may house a power input device 9, such as a connector to an external power supply. The connector may be fixed to the power supply chamber 5 and connected to a corresponding connector 11 fixed to a power supply base 10 having an electrical cord 12 for connecting to a household power outlet, for example, or it may be fixed to the power supply chamber 5 for connection to the corresponding connector 11.
[0083] The power supply chamber 5 may be adjacent to the tank 21.
[0084] The powered chamber 5 may be bounded by a housing 20. The housing 20 may extend to at least a portion of the tank 21 and optionally cover at least a portion of the tank 21. The tank 21 may be fixed to or integrated with the housing 20, or the tank 21 may be separated from the housing 20 by the user, for example, to dispense liquid food material at the time of processing.
[0085] The agitator 4 is movable within the tank 21 during operation, and its rotatability within the tank 21 is such that it can rotate about an axis 3 which is at least one of being parallel, oblique, or at a certain angle to the central axis 2 of the processing cavity 21a of the tank 21, and the processing cavity 21a is movable and contains liquid food material during processing. The tank axis 2 can be upright during processing of liquid food material.
[0086] The agitator 4 may include one or more impeller members 4', 4'' configured to come into contact with the liquid food substance and exert a mechanical action upon it, such as a radially extending baffle member 4 and / or an annularly extending toroidal member 4'' attached to one or more baffle members 4'.
[0087] The agitator 4 may have a mechanical connector 4''' that is movably connected to the corresponding connector 22 of the tank 21.
[0088] The agitator 4 may be equipped with one or more magnetic and ferromagnetic elements for the magnetic coupling 50 to the motor 52 described above, or for one magnetic coupling 50 to one motor 52.
[0089] The agitator 4 may have a configuration that exerts a mechanical effect on the liquid food substance in the tank 21 by rotating in the tank 21 at rotational speeds 41 and 42 in the range of 300 to 10000 RPM, for example 500 to 7500 RPM, for example 900 to 5000 RPM, or for example 1250 to 4250 RPM.
[0090] The agitator 4 may have a configuration that substantially continuously exerts a mechanical action on the liquid food substance in the tank 21 when the heating surface 6 heats the liquid food substance in the tank 21.
[0091] The stirrer 4 may have a configuration that applies a mechanical action to the liquid food substance in the tank 21 for a period of 3 to 15 seconds, for example, 5 to 10 seconds, before activating the heating surface 6.
[0092] The tank 21 may include a movable or removable lid for closing the mouth 21'' of the tank 21 through which liquid food material is supplied into and / or dispensed from the tank 21. The mouth 21'' may be provided with a dispensing spout located, for example, at the mouth 21''.
[0093] Tank 21 may incorporate at least one obstacle that interferes with the flow of liquid food material inside Tank 21 during processing.
[0094] The tank 21 may have the aforementioned central axis 2 or one central axis 2 that forms the central axis of the processing cavity 21a or one processing cavity 21a, and the processing cavity 21a contains liquid food material during processing. The cavity 21a may have a substantially cylindrical, parallelepiped, truncated cone, or truncated pyramidal shape extending along the central axis 2.
[0095] The present invention also relates to a method for preventing or suppressing the burning of liquid food substances, such as milk or milk-based substances, at the end of processing in the tank of the machine as described above. The process includes the steps of: stopping the heating surface 6 at the end of processing the liquid food substance in tank 21; then, after the heating surface has stopped, the decreasing temperature is detected by sensor 81, the detected decreasing temperature is acquired by control unit 8, and the decreasing time is determined based on the decreasing temperature; and then, control unit 8 stops the agitator 4. Once this is complete, the processed liquid food substance may be ready to be dispensed from tank 21 for consumption as is or for combination with other beverage ingredients (e.g., coffee, chocolate, or cocoa).
Claims
1. A tank (21) for containing and processing liquid food substances, A stirrer (4) for applying a mechanical action to the liquid food substance in the tank (21), A heating surface (6) configured to come into contact with the liquid food substance in the tank (21) and heat the liquid food substance, A temperature sensor (81) for directly or indirectly detecting the temperature of the heating surface (6) and / or the temperature of the liquid food substance in the tank (21), A control unit (8) connected to the temperature sensor (81), The operation of the stirrer (4) to exert the mechanical action on the liquid food substance in the tank (21), and A control unit (8) is configured to control the operation of the heating surface (6) for heating the liquid food substance in the tank (21), A machine (1) equipped with, In a machine, the control unit (8) is configured to stop the operation of the stirrer (4) and the heating surface (6), The machine (1) is characterized in that, in order to stop the operation of the stirrer (4) and the heating surface (6), the control unit (8) is configured to stop the operation of the heating surface (6), and then, after the heating surface (6) has stopped operating, to stop the operation of the stirrer (4) at the end of the reduction time determined by the control unit (8) based on the reduction temperature detected by the temperature sensor (81) and acquired by the control unit (8).
2. The machine according to claim 1, wherein the temperature sensor (81) is configured to detect the temperature of a portion (4, 6, 6', 21) that is thermally in communication with the liquid food substance in the tank (21).
3. The control unit (8) is By the detected decrease temperature itself, and / or by the change in the detected decrease temperature corresponding to the threshold, or by a loop control mechanism corresponding to the detected decrease temperature; and / or, By further considering the temperature fluctuations detected by the temperature sensor (81) before stopping the operation of the heating surface, The machine according to claim 1 or 2, configured to determine the aforementioned reduction time.
4. The machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit (8) is configured to continuously or intermittently acquire the decreasing temperature detected by the temperature sensor (81) after the heating surface (6) has stopped operating.
5. The control unit (8) determines that the acquired decreasing temperature is If the rate of change with respect to time falls below a threshold, and / or, If the threshold is reached, If it decreases, The machine according to claim 4, further configured to stop the operation of the agitator (4).
6. The control unit (8) is During a predetermined period after the heating surface (6) has stopped operating, the decreasing temperature detected by the temperature sensor (81) is acquired. The machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, configured to calculate the decay time based on the acquired decay temperature.
7. The machine according to claim 6, wherein the control unit (8) is configured to acquire a plurality of decreasing temperatures at different points in time after a predetermined period following the shutdown of the heating surface, and to calculate the decreasing time based on the decreasing temperatures thus acquired.
8. The machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the control unit (8) is configured to stop the operation of the heating surface (6), and then, when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor (81) and acquired by the control unit (8) reaches a predetermined processing threshold after the heating surface (6) has been activated, the stirrer (4) is stopped.
9. The machine according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the control unit (8) is configured to stop operating the heating surface (6) and / or the stirrer (4) after a predetermined period of time following the operation of the heating surface (6) and / or the stirrer (4).
10. The control unit (8) has a safety mode, and in the safety mode, the control unit (8) When the cool-off safety time is reached after the heating surface (6) has stopped operating, the stirrer (4) is stopped operating, and / or, The machine according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the machine is configured to stop operating the agitator (4) and / or the heating surface (6) when a processing safety time is reached after the agitator (4) and / or the heating surface (6) have been operated.
11. The machine according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the control unit (8) is configured to operate the stirrer (4) and / or the heating surface (6) to reach different levels and / or to follow different operating profiles (41, 42) during processing.
12. It is equipped with a power supply chamber (5), and the power supply chamber (5) is The control unit (8) is equipped with a user interface (80), Heat generating device (6'), A motor (52) for driving the stirrer (4), Power input device (9), A machine according to any one of claims 1 to 11, which accommodates at least one of the following.
13. The stirrer (4) is Mobility within the tank (21) during operation, One or more impeller members (4', 4'') A mechanical connector (4''') is movably connected to the corresponding connector (22) of the tank (21), One or more of a magnetic element and a ferromagnetic element for a magnetic coupling (50) to a motor (52), The configuration involves rotating within the tank (21) at a rotational speed (41, 42) within the range of 300 to 10000 RPM to exert the mechanical action on the liquid food substance inside the tank (21), The heating surface (6) is configured to substantially continuously exert the mechanical action on the liquid food substance in the tank (21) when heating the liquid food substance in the tank (21), The configuration involves applying the mechanical action to the liquid food substance in the tank (21) before activating the heating surface (6), A machine according to any one of claims 1 to 12, having at least one of the following.
14. The aforementioned tank (21) is A movable or removable lid (21') for closing the opening (21'') of the tank (21), the movable or removable lid (21') through which the liquid food substance is supplied into and / or dispensed from the tank (21), At least one obstacle that interferes with the flow of the liquid food substance in the tank (21) during processing, The central axis (2) of the processing cavity (21a) of the tank (21), or the central axis (2) of the processing cavity (21a), wherein the processing cavity (21a) contains the liquid food substance during processing, and the processing cavity (21a) has a substantially cylindrical, parallelepiped, truncated cone, or truncated pyramidal shape extending along the central axis (2), A machine according to any one of claims 1 to 13, having at least one of the following.
15. A method for preventing or suppressing charring of a liquid food substance at the end of processing in a tank (21) of a machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the method is: The steps include stopping the operation of the heating surface (6), and thereafter, The control unit (8) acquires the decreasing temperature detected by the temperature sensor (81) after the heating surface (6) has stopped operating, and the control unit (8) determines the end of the decreasing time based on the decreasing temperature; and thereafter, A method comprising the step of using the control unit (8) to stop the operation of the stirrer (4) at the end of the decrease time.