Coffee and / or tea machine

Abstract

A coffee and / or tea machine (1), in particular a coffee and / or tea maker, for a coffee or tea beverage, in particular coffee or tea, involving the admixture of gas comprises a pump (2), also comprises a mixing device (3) having a first feed line (3a) for a basic drink and having a second feed line (3b) for a gas, and further comprises a throttle unit (8), wherein the pump (2) is connected, on the suction side, to the mixing device (3) and, on the discharge side, to the throttle unit (8). The throttle unit (8) has at least one throttle element. A method for making a coffee and / or tea drink, in particular coffee, involving the admixture of gas and using a coffee and / or tea machine (1) is provided.

Description

[0001] Coffee and / or tea vending machine

[0002] The invention relates to a coffee and / or tea beverage machine, in particular a coffee machine, for a coffee and / or tea beverage, in particular coffee or tea, with gas admixture according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a method for producing a coffee and / or tea beverage, in particular coffee, with gas admixture using a coffee and / or tea beverage machine.

[0003] The coffee and / or tea beverage machine discussed in this application does not use milk.

[0004] Coffee and / or tea vending machines or fully automatic machines are also designed to prepare cold coffee and / or tea beverages.

[0005] Such beverages, such as coffee drinks, are also called nitro coffee because they contain a gas, such as nitrogen or ambient air. This creates a coffee drink with a unique mouthfeel thanks to its foamy consistency.

[0006] The basis for this type of nitro coffee is usually a so-called cold brew coffee, a coffee extracted in cold water over a long period of time.

[0007] Of course, hot extracted coffee drinks or tea drinks can also serve as a basis.

[0008] The terms “coffee beverage” and “tea beverage” also include instant beverages.

[0009] Document EP 3 763 223 A1 describes a method for dispensing a gas-enriched coffee or tea beverage, in which the coffee or tea beverage is stored in liquid form as a ready-to-use beverage or concentrate in a storage container. The ready-to-use beverage is pumped from the storage container to a beverage outlet by means of an electric pump, with the gas being supplied to the sucked-in coffee or tea beverage on the suction side of the pump. The gas-enriched coffee or tea beverage is pumped to the beverage outlet via a counterpressure element arranged downstream of the pump in the conveying direction. These designs have proven themselves to be effective, but there is a constant need for improvements in the pursuit of cost savings in components, functional assemblies, assembly times, and maintenance.

[0010] Document EP 2 798 987 A1 relates to a method and device for producing milk products, in particular milk foam. The method comprises the following steps: a) conveying milk in a milk line by means of a milk pump, b) mixing milk and air in a first mixing chamber to produce an air-milk emulsion, c) optionally adding steam to the air-milk emulsion to heat the air-milk emulsion if a warm milk foam is to be produced, preferably after step b), wherein in step a., a milk pump whose speed is adjustable to vary the conveying and pumping quantity is preferably used to change the properties of the milk product, in particular the consistency of the milk foam, via the speed of the milk pump.

[0011] The document EP 3 042 592 A1 discloses a method for producing a coffee-milk mixed beverage using a hot beverage machine with a device for producing milk foam, the device comprising at least: a) a milk line through which milk flows, b) at least one device for producing a milk-air emulsion as cold milk foam - KMS - with a first temperature T1, c) a steam source for injecting hot steam into a milk-air emulsion of first temperature T1 to a hot temperature T3 > T1 to produce a hot milk foam - HMS - with the temperature T3, so that by means of steam injection the hot milk foam - HMS - can be heated to the temperature T3 between 55°C and 80°C, and d) a heat exchanger for heating a milk-air emulsion of first temperature T1 to a warm temperature T2 to produce a warm milk foam - WMS - with the temperature T2, where: T1 < T2 < T3;wherein the heat exchanger can heat the milk foam to a temperature T2, in particular between 40°C and 54°C, having a denaturing effect. At least one warm milk foam (WMS) and one hot milk foam (HMS) with different temperatures T2 and T3 are added to and poured into a coffee.

[0012] The invention therefore aims to provide an improved coffee and / or tea beverage machine, in particular a coffee and / or tea machine, for a coffee and / or tea beverage, in particular coffee or tea, with the addition of gas. A further aim is to create an improved method for producing a coffee and / or tea beverage, in particular coffee or tea, with the addition of gas, using a coffee and / or tea beverage machine.

[0013] The invention solves this problem by a coffee and / or tea beverage machine having the feature of claim 1 and by a method having the feature of claim 10.

[0014] A coffee and / or tea beverage dispenser according to the invention, in particular a coffee and / or tea machine, for a coffee and / or tea beverage, in particular coffee or tea, with a gas admixture comprises a pump, a mixing device with a first supply line for a base beverage and a second supply line for a gas, and a throttle unit. The pump is connected to the mixing device on the suction side and to the throttle unit on the pressure side. The throttle unit has at least one throttle element.

[0015] One advantage is that the throttle element can be designed simply. A particularly advantageous feature is that this allows a uniform structure of the foam produced.

[0016] A method according to the invention for producing a coffee or tea beverage, in particular coffee or tea, with gas admixture using a coffee or / and tea beverage machine which has a pump, a mixing device with a first supply line for a base beverage and with a second supply line for a gas, and a throttle unit, wherein the pump is connected on the suction side to the mixing device and on the pressure side to the throttle unit, comprises the method steps VS 1 sucking in the base beverage from a base beverage source by means of the pump and conveying the base beverage through the mixing device by means of the pump; VS 2 mixing in an amount of air / gas from a gas source into the sucked-in beverage in the mixing device; and VS 3 conveying the beverage thus prepared by means of the pump through a throttle unit, wherein foam formation in the beverage is carried out by throttling the conveyed volumetric amount with at least one throttle element of the throttle unit.

[0017] A particular advantage here is that it allows for a fine atomization of the gas / air / coffee mixture from the pressure line. Tests have surprisingly shown that using this throttle element can achieve significantly good results for a fine atomization of the gas / air / coffee mixture from the pressure line.

[0018] Advantageous embodiments are described in the subclaims.

[0019] One embodiment provides that the throttle unit has at least two throttle elements arranged one behind the other in the flow direction.

[0020] The throttle elements finely atomize the gas-base beverage mixture in an associated line, which can also be designed as a hose.

[0021] The beverage foam produced in this way advantageously shows a very fine, uniform structure.

[0022] In a further embodiment, the at least one throttle element is designed as an orifice plate with a through-hole. These components are advantageously easy to manufacture and / or are available cost-effectively and in high quality as standard parts.

[0023] Another design provides for the aperture opening to be conical or cylindrical. This is advantageous because these shapes are easy to manufacture.

[0024] An advantage of a compact design results in another embodiment in which the orifice or several orifices are each arranged in a housing section of the throttle unit, wherein in the case of several orifices the housing sections are arranged one behind the other in the direction of flow.

[0025] A further embodiment provides for the second gas supply line to have at least one valve that is electrically and / or manually adjustable. This advantageously allows for easy regulation of the amount of air / gas added from the gas source.

[0026] In one embodiment, the base beverage is a cold or hot coffee or tea beverage, in particular coffee or tea.

[0027] In yet another version, the base beverage is cold coffee, known as cold brew coffee. This base beverage has a unique flavor profile. One version provides for the gas to be nitrogen, air, or the like. The advantage here is that these gases are inexpensive.

[0028] In one embodiment of the method, in process step VS2, mixing, the gas is mixed into the drawn-in beverage at a reduced pressure using a pressure reducer. This allows for advantageously simple dosing of the gas.

[0029] A further embodiment of the method provides that, in the mixing step VS2, the amount of air / gas mixed in from the gas source is regulated by means of at least one valve. This advantageously allows the mixing process to be further simplified and made more precise.

[0030] In yet another embodiment of the process, in process step VS3, conveying, the foam formation in the beverage is achieved by throttling the conveyed volume with at least two throttling elements, which are two orifices arranged one behind the other in the direction of flow. This advantageously not only achieves a compact design but also enables particularly good foam quality.

[0031] Another embodiment of the method provides that in the method step VS3 conveying, the finished beverage is dispensed after the beverage has been homogenized in a homogenizer.

[0032] The invention is described in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment with reference to the drawings. The figures serve only to explain the invention in more detail and are not limiting. Individual features described can also be applied to further embodiments within the scope of general technical knowledge. They show:

[0033] Figure 1: a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a coffee and / or tea beverage machine according to the invention; and

[0034] Figure 2: a schematic sectional view of a throttle unit of the coffee and / or tea beverage machine according to the invention according to Figure 1; and

[0035] Figure 3: a schematic flow diagram of a method according to the invention. Figure 1 shows a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a coffee and / or tea beverage dispenser 1 according to the invention.

[0036] The coffee and / or tea beverage machine 1 comprises a pump 2, a mixing device 3, a base beverage source 4, a gas source 5, a throttle unit 8 and a homogenizer 9.

[0037] The coffee and / or tea vending machine does not dispense milk.

[0038] The pump 2 is connected to the mixing device 3 on the inlet side via a suction line 2a. The mixing device 3 has a first inlet with a first supply line 3a and a second inlet with a second supply line 3b.

[0039] The first supply line 3a is connected to the base beverage source 4, while the second supply line 3b is connected to an outlet of a valve 7. The first supply line 3a forms a coffee path.

[0040] The second supply line 3a can also be designed in a simple version without the valve 7 and have a fixed cross-section.

[0041] The base beverage source 4 can, for example, be a line to a container containing a base beverage. It is, of course, also possible for the base beverage source 4 to be a container. In this embodiment, the base beverage is cold coffee, called cold brew coffee, which has previously been extracted in cold water over a long period of time.

[0042] The base drink can also be tea, for example. Furthermore, the base drink can be both cold and hot. The base drink can also be tempered so that it has different temperatures.

[0043] The base drink is not milk, nor is milk added.

[0044] The valve 7 is connected on the inlet side to a pressure reducer 6 via a connecting line 6a. The pressure reducer 6, in turn, is connected to the gas source 5 via a gas line 5a. The gas source 5 can be designed in various ways. For example, it is a pressure reservoir for a gas, e.g., nitrogen, air, or the like. The gas source 5 can also be an exchangeable gas container. It is also conceivable for the gas source 5 to be a line connected to a special gas container.

[0045] The pressure of the gas source 5 is reduced by means of the pressure reducer 6. However, the gas source 5 can also have its own pressure reducer. The pressure reducer 6 is a fixed throttle configuration here and will not be explained further.

[0046] The valve 7 can be electrically and / or manually adjustable and serves to regulate the amount of air / gas added from the gas source 5.

[0047] The second supply line 3b, the valve 7, the connecting line 6a, the pressure reducer 6 and the gas line 5a form a gas or air path.

[0048] During operation of the coffee and / or tea beverage machine 1, the pump 2 sucks the base beverage, e.g. the cold coffee, from the base beverage source 4 via a suction line 2a, the mixing device 3 and the first supply line 3a.

[0049] In this example, the mixing device 3 has an annular jet nozzle. By means of the annular jet nozzle, gas from the gas path, ie, from the second supply line 3b, is added to the base beverage, e.g., coffee, which is drawn in from the first supply line 3a.

[0050] In another embodiment, not shown, the mixing device 3 can have an injector.

[0051] Pump 2 conveys the mixed beverage from the mixing device 3 via a pressure line 2b through the throttle device 8 and the homogenizer into the outlet line 10. Pump 2 generates a specific system pressure in the pressure line 2b and the downstream functional groups. Pump 2 can be controlled so that both the volume flow it delivers and its pressure can be adjusted within certain limits.

[0052] On the pressure side, the pump 2 is connected via the pressure line 2b in the direction of flow to an inlet 8_E of a throttle unit 8. An outlet 8-A of the throttle unit 8 is connected to a homogenizer 9 via a connection 8a. The throttle unit 8 is described in more detail below.

[0053] In one variant, the throttle unit 8 can also be arranged in an additional separate path, e.g. in an extra path.

[0054] For the throttle unit 8, a milk path existing in the vending machine can also be used, although this does not carry milk, since this is excluded in the present case.

[0055] The homogenizer 9 has an outlet line 10 for the finished beverage.

[0056] The throttle unit 8 comprises at least one throttle element or several.

[0057] In this text, the term “throttle element” refers to both throttles and orifices.

[0058] Throttling the flow rate of pressure line 2b is crucial for achieving the foam quality of the finished beverage. Throttling the pressure in a flow rate can be achieved using either a throttle or an orifice plate.

[0059] However, a throttle cannot generate a constant pressure. In contrast, a clearly defined pressure is created behind the opening of an orifice plate in the direction of flow, which remains constant even as the system pressure increases. This is caused by turbulence that develops behind the orifice plate in the direction of flow.

[0060] In a minimal design, the throttle unit 8 has at least one throttle element. This minimal design is not shown here, but is easily understood.

[0061] Such a throttle element is here an orifice 14, 15 and is arranged in a housing 8b which has an inlet 8-E, to which the pressure line 2b is connected, and an outlet 8-A which is connected to the homogenizer.

[0062] Figure 2 shows a schematic sectional view of the throttle unit 8 of the coffee and / or tea beverage dispenser 1 according to the invention shown in Figure 1, with two throttle elements as an example. In this exemplary embodiment, the throttle unit 8 comprises a housing 8b divided into two housing sections 12, 13. The first housing section 12 is connected to the pressure line 2b via an inlet 8-E. A connection 8a connects an outlet 8-A of the second housing section 13 to the homogenizer 9.

[0063] An interior space 12a of the first housing section 12 and an interior space 13a of the second housing section 13 communicate with each other, being arranged one behind the other in the flow direction.

[0064] The two interior spaces 12a, 13a merge directly into one another. Of course, it is also possible that this transition, symbolically indicated by a dashed line in Figure 2, may have a special flow-related shape, e.g., a nozzle-like shape.

[0065] Each housing section 12, 13 has a throttle element in the form of an orifice 14, 15 with a respective passage opening 14b, 15b.

[0066] The passage openings 14a, 15a are both designed with the same dimensions and the same shape. Here, the passage openings 14a, 15a are conical, with the larger opening diameters facing the inlet 8-E. Other designs are also possible, of course, such as cylindrical passage openings. In this case, the inlet and outlet edges also play a corresponding role in influencing the flow.

[0067] An abrupt interruption of the volume flow from the pressure line 2b in the flow direction produces, from a certain pressure value behind a respective passage opening 14a, 15a, cavitations, ie formation and sudden collapse of bubbles filled with steam, in the volume flow.

[0068] Tests have surprisingly shown that using at least one throttle element as orifice plate 14, 15 achieves significantly good results for fine atomization of the gas / air-coffee mixture in the associated line (connection 8a, outlet line 9). The coffee foam produced in this way exhibits a very fine, uniform structure.

[0069] Even with two throttle elements arranged close together or at a short distance from each other as orifices 14, 15, significantly good results for fine atomization of the gas / air base beverage mixture are achieved. The distance between orifices 14, 15 can, for example, be in a range of 0 to 10 cm, preferably 2 to 10 cm.

[0070] Before dispensing the foamed base beverage, coffee or tea, the mixture is passed through the homogenizer 9. Such a known component, with its internal honeycomb structure, leads to the dissolution of larger bubbles.

[0071] A control device, not shown but easily imaginable, controls the pump 2 and the valve 7. This control device can be constructed separately or integrated into a control system of the coffee and / or tea beverage machine 1.

[0072] Figure 3 shows a schematic flow diagram of a method according to the invention for producing a coffee and / or tea beverage, in particular coffee or tea, with gas admixture using a coffee and / or tea beverage machine 1.

[0073] In a first process step, a base beverage is sucked from a base beverage source 4 by the pump 2 and conveyed through a mixing device 3. Milk is used neither as the base beverage nor as an additional medium.

[0074] Then, in a second process step VS2, a quantity of air / gas from a gas source 5 is mixed into the aspirated beverage in the mixing device 3. The gas can be mixed into the aspirated beverage at a reduced pressure using a pressure reducer 6.

[0075] In a third process step VS3, the thus prepared beverage is pumped through a throttling unit 8, whereby foam formation in the beverage is achieved by throttling the pumped volume with at least one throttling element. The at least one throttling element is an orifice plate.

[0076] The finished beverage can be dispensed afterwards or after homogenization of the beverage in a homogenizer 9.

[0077] The gas is passed through the second supply line 3b. In a minimal design, the second supply line 3b has a fixed cross-section. In the illustrated embodiment, the amount of air / gas mixed in from the gas source 5 is regulated by means of at least one valve 7.

[0078] It is conceivable, for example, that the valve 7 is designed as a valve unit with two or more, even different, valves, whereby these valves can differ, for example, in their flow rate.

[0079] The valve 7 can also be part of the mixing device 3.

[0080] More than one pump 2 may be provided.

[0081] There may also be two or more mixing devices 3.

[0082] It is also conceivable that an additional pump is arranged in the gas path.

[0083] The throttle unit 8 may also have throttle elements arranged in parallel or parallel and one behind the other.

[0084] The throttle unit 8 can also be arranged in a separate throttle path. This throttle path is not shown, but is easily conceivable. The throttle path can be switched on or off, for example, via an additional valve.

[0085] It is also possible for an existing milk path to be used as a throttling path. Such a milk path may be present in a basic version of the coffee and / or tea beverage machine, but this milk path is not used for milk, since milk is excluded from the coffee and / or tea beverage machine 1.

[0086] It is also conceivable, for example, that at least one of the through openings 14a, 15a of the panels 14, 15 has an oval and / or square cross-section.

[0087] For example, it is also conceivable that juices are added as individual components in the foamed beverages. These juices can have different flavors. The juices can be present, for example, in appropriate concentrates or dilutions.

[0088] It is also conceivable, for example, that these juices could be frothed. The invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, but can be modified within the scope of the claims.

[0089] List of reference symbols

[0090] 1 coffee and / or tea vending machine

[0091] 2 pumps

[0092] 2a intake line

[0093] 2b pressure line

[0094] 3 Mixing device

[0095] 3a, 3b supply line

[0096] 4 Basic beverage source

[0097] 5 Gas source

[0098] 5a Gas line

[0099] 6 pressure reducers

[0100] 6a connecting line

[0101] 7 Valve

[0102] 8 Throttle unit

[0103] 8a connection

[0104] 8b Housing

[0105] 8-A outlet

[0106] 8-E inlet

[0107] 9 Homogenizer

[0108] 10 Outlet line

[0109] 11 vessel

[0110] 12, 13 Housing section

[0111] 12a, 13a interior

[0112] 14, 15 aperture

[0113] 14a, 15a passage opening

[0114] VS1, VS2, VS3 process step

Claims

Claims 1. Coffee and / or tea beverage machine (1), in particular a coffee and / or tea machine, for a coffee and / or tea beverage, in particular coffee or tea, with gas admixture, comprising a pump (2), a mixing device (3) with a first supply line (3a) of a base beverage and with a second supply line (3b) of a gas, and a throttle unit (8), wherein the pump (2) is connected on the suction side to the mixing device (3) and on the pressure side to the throttle unit (8), characterized in that the throttle unit (8) has at least one throttle element.

2. Coffee and / or tea beverage machine (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the throttle unit (8) has at least two throttle elements which are arranged one behind the other in the flow direction.

3. Coffee and / or tea beverage machine (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one throttle element is designed as a diaphragm (14, 15) with a through opening (14a, 15a).

4. Coffee and / or tea beverage machine (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the through opening of the panel (14, 15) is conical or cylindrical.

5. Coffee and / or tea beverage machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover (14, 15) is arranged in a housing section (12, 13) of the throttle unit (8).

6. Coffee and / or tea beverage machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second supply line (3b) of the gas has at least one valve (7) which is designed to be electrically and / or manually adjustable.

7. Coffee and / or tea beverage machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base beverage is a cold or hot coffee and / or tea beverage, in particular coffee or tea.

8. Coffee and / or tea beverage machine (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the base beverage is cold coffee, which is referred to as cold brew coffee.

9. Coffee and / or tea beverage machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gas is nitrogen, air or the like.

10. Coffee and / or tea beverage machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the throttle unit (8) is arranged in a separate path which branches off from the pressure line (2b) and / or is a milk path of the coffee and / or tea beverage machine (1), wherein no milk is used for the milk path.

11. Method for producing a coffee or / and tea beverage, in particular coffee or tea, with gas admixture with a coffee or / and tea beverage machine (1 ) which has a pump (2), a mixing device (3) with a first supply line (3a) of a base beverage and with a second supply line (3b) of a gas, and a throttle unit (8), wherein the pump (2) is connected on the suction side to the mixing device (3) and on the pressure side to the throttle unit (8), characterized by the method steps (VS1 ) Sucking the base beverage from a base beverage source (4) by means of the pump (2) and conveying the base beverage through the mixing device (3) by means of the pump (2); (VS2) mixing a quantity of air / gas from a gas source (5) into the sucked-in beverage in the mixing device (3); and (VS3) conveying the beverage thus prepared by means of the pump (2) through a throttling unit (8), wherein foam formation in the beverage is carried out by throttling the conveyed volume quantity with at least one throttling element of the throttling unit (8), and dispensing the finished beverage after homogenising the beverage in a homogeniser (9).

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that in the method step (VS2) mixing, the gas is mixed into the sucked-in beverage at a reduced pressure by means of a pressure reducer (6).

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that in the mixing step (VS2), the amount of air / gas mixed in from the gas source (5) is regulated by means of at least one valve (7).

14. The method according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that in the conveying step (VS3), the foam formation in the beverage is achieved by throttling the conveyed volume with at least two throttling elements, which are two orifices (14, 15) arranged one behind the other in the flow direction.

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