CN100482548C

CN100482548C - Cartridge for the preparation of beverages and method of manufacturing a cartridge

Info

Publication number: CN100482548C
Application number: CNB2004800073577A
Authority: CN
Inventors: S·卡特; J·麦马洪; A·洛伊德; P·苏顿; S·帕内萨; A·哈利迪; H·马丁
Original assignee: Kraft Foods R&D Inc Deutschland
Current assignee: Koninklijke Douwe Egberts BV
Priority date: 2003-01-24
Filing date: 2004-01-23
Publication date: 2009-04-29
Anticipated expiration: 2024-01-23
Also published as: GB2397492A; GB0301679D0; DE602004000551T2; CN101496696A; HK1065764A1; GB2397492B; EP1440903B1; ATE321707T1; CN101496696B; LT2005078A; DK1440903T3; DE602004000551D1; EP1440903B8; EP1440903A1; CN1809500A; ES2262095T3

Abstract

The present invention provides a cartridge (1) containing one or more beverage ingredients (200) and being formed from substantially air- and water-impermeable materials, the cartridge comprising an inlet (121) for the introduction of an aqueous medium into the cartridge and an outlet (122) for discharge of a beverage produced from the one or more beverage ingredients, wherein the cartridge comprises an outer member (2) and an inner member (3) conjoined on assembly with the outer member, characterised by the inner member comprising a discharge spout (43) defining the outlet of the cartridge.

Description

Be used to prepare the storage box of beverage and the method for making the storage box

Technical field

The present invention relates to be used to prepare the storage box (cartridge) of beverage, relate in particular to sealing storage box, it is formed with material impervious to water by airtight basically, and comprises one or more compositions that are used to prepare beverage.

Background technology

Proposed the beverage preparation composition is sealed in the independent gas-impermeable packing before.For example, storage box or capsule known can be used for of containing instant ground coffee, be commonly referred in some coffee making machine of " espresso " machine.Adopting these draft machines to produce in the process of coffee, coffee storage box is placed in the beverage making cavity, makes hot water cross this storage box with higher pressure current, produces coffee beverage thereby extract fragrant coffee component from ground coffee.Usually, this class machine is surpassing 6 * 10 ⁵The pressure of Pa is work down.Up to the present the draft machine of the above-mentioned type is the comparison costliness, and this is can be high pressure resistant because the parts of machine such as water pump and sealing member are necessary.

Introduced a kind of storage box that is used to prepare beverage in WO01/58786, it can roughly be in 0.7-2.0 * 10 ⁵The work down of pressure in the Pa scope.Yet this storage box is designed in the beverage preparation machine at commerce or industrial market purposes, and is therefore relatively more expensive.Therefore, still need to be used to prepare the storage box of beverage, wherein store up box and beverage preparation machine and be particularly useful for the household application market aspect cost, the Performance And Reliability.

Also verified, owing to be formed at the narrow and tortuous path that stores up in the box main body, be difficult to the beverage storage box of the above-mentioned type is carried out disinfection.For example be exposed to the sterilization of carrying out in the steam perhaps be not very effective for zigzag channel by storing up box, and this is because the surface tension properties of storage box can stop steam to enter into zigzag channel, has therefore hindered whole parts surface and has been exposed in the steam.

Beverage storage box easily causes splash and the problem of splashing, wherein beverage from store up box, distribute during, beverage can spray or splash outside the boundary of reservoir vessel.This is especially true in the situation that beverage distributes under elevated pressures.Attempted alleviating this problem by the release probe is set on beverage preparation machine, this probe can be introduced beverage in the reservoir vessel.Yet this release probe trends towards being polluted by the beverage residue in time, and is difficult to cleaning.In addition, exist cross pollution between the dissimilar beverages.

In addition, in the storage box of WO01/58786, form beverage jet by making beverage cross the hole.Verified, be difficult to accurately be provided with this class hole size and position.The accurate dimension processing and the location in hole are very important, because it is extremely important to suitably carrying secretly of the bubble in the final beverage.Be in inside and be molded in the injection molded part that the other parts of part surround in the position in hole and form especially difficulty of aperture.The orthodox method that forms the hole is to adopt the molded thimble of using, and its size is corresponding to the required diameter in hole.Yet, molded usually can only be with the formed hole of thimble towards the opening of moulded parts (this opening allow molded during molded, enter into moulded parts) with thimble.In beverage storage box, this beverage that can cause being distributed flows out opening as quick as thought with the speed up to the 12-16 meter per second, and this is because it directly leads to outlet.

A factor relevant with the reliability of storage box is the ability of pressing in they bear.Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a kind of beverage storage box, it has the ability of pressing in the bearing of raising.

In order to reduce the cost of this storage box, need make this storage box with simple, failure-free mode.Particularly, need reduce the degree of artificial treatment storage box parts during manufacture, and the total number that reduces parts.

Summary of the invention

Therefore, the invention provides a kind of storage box, it comprises one or more beverage ingredients and is formed with material impervious to water by airtight basically, this storage box comprises the import that is used for aqueous medium is incorporated into the storage box, and for the outlet of discharging by the formed beverage of described one or more liquid beverage ingredients, wherein this storage box comprises exterior part and the inner component that combines with exterior part when assembling, it is characterized in that, inner component comprises the spout that defines the outlet of storage box.

Storage box of the present invention easily fit on major part is inner component and exterior part.By adopt parts independent but that combine when the assembling for inner component and exterior part, just can optimize the manufacturing of each parts.This needs therein that very the present invention of closed tolerance stores up in the box is particularly advantageous, and this is because limited by the interface between exterior part and the inner component through the beverage flow paths of storage box.In addition, the parts of inner component and exterior part can more easily carry out disinfection before assembling separately the time.In case these parts combine, just formed the zigzag channel that has many apertures, it can't adopt known method to sterilize effectively.The ability that parts are carried out disinfection is a particularly advantageous characteristics when the storage box is used to distribute milk based beverage.In addition, by the separate part that use combines, the storage box just needn't be inverted between erecting stage, and this is because inner component and the combination of optional filter, the filling of beverage ingredient and the combination of lid such as ply wood all can be carried out by exterior part in one direction.

Advantageously, inner component comprises spout.The beverage that spout is used for being discharged is incorporated into reservoir vessel such as cup.Spout has been avoided excessively splashing or splash of beverage, and is used in adjusting flow of beverage characteristic when being delivered to the reservoir vessel from storing up box beverage.For example, spout can be configured as and reduce the turbulence level that imposes on beverage, to avoid the unnecessary reduction of contained foam volume in the beverage.Also advantageously, storage box itself comprises spout, but not independent spout or probe is provided in beverage preparation machine.Therefore, distributing the risk that does not have dissimilar beverage cross pollutions between the circulation, this is because each spout only uses once, and the remaining part together with the storage box abandons then.Equally preferably, the beverage of discharging via spout can not contact with the exit mechanism of beverage preparation machine, has therefore avoided beverage preparation machine to be made dirty by residual drink.Spout preferably forms as one with inner component.Spout and inner component are preferably by the individual unit molded or formula that otherwise forms as one, and this has reduced the manufacturing cost of storage box, and have reduced the number of components that needs assembling.

In one embodiment, spout comprises tapering part.In an alternative, spout comprises cylindrical part.In another optional modification, spout comprises separator, and it extends along the length of spout at least in part.Separator reduced beverage when discharging splash and the amount of splashing.

Preferably provide fastener matching structure, so that exterior part and inner component are combined.Say that typically fastener matching structure comprises the configuration that matches (formation) that is positioned on inner component and the exterior part.Fastener matching structure provide with inner component and exterior part combine fast but the failure-free assembly method.Advantageously, fastener matching structure need not provide glue or other this class adhesives that is exposed in the beverage ingredient in storage box inside.

Preferably, exterior part comprises osed top first end and second end that opens wide, and wherein when inner component combined with exterior part, the outlet of spout was towards second end that opens wide.Equally preferably, import second end that opens wide of parts outward.Therefore, import and outlet are towards the same side of storage box.This just allows the storage box to can be used in the machine of low Profile, and wherein in use, the sting device that is used to form import and outlet is outstanding from the plane of beverage preparation machine.

Combine near the sealing first end place of the preferred parts outside of exterior part and inner component or its.Therefore, realizing combining of inner component and exterior part away from the open end of exterior part or the location point place of oral area.Advantageously, can be before beverage ingredient be filled in the storage box and before the open end of sealing storage box or oral area, carry out the step that combines.This has simplified assembly technology, because inner component and exterior part can at first combine to form the storage case module, the filling station that it is transported on the baling line then injects one or more beverage ingredients here.Then the storage box of having filled is sealed, for example by the heatsealing laminate on the open end of parts outside.This assembly technology has been avoided in the heatsealing operation exterior part, inner component and ply wood alignment and the difficult task that keeps this alignment.

Exterior part preferably include inwardly towards extendible portion, it is contained in the cardinal extremity of spout when parts and inner component combine outside.

In one embodiment, inner component comprises framework, and it has the filter of establishing thereon.Preferably, when inner component and exterior part combine, between sealing first end of framework and exterior part, define one or more passages.In addition, these one or more passages preferably limit by disc, and these disc extend upwardly to sealing first end of exterior part from framework.These one or more passages are preferably downward-sloping towards spout.

In another embodiment, inner component also comprises the sleeve round spout.Sleeve preferably includes extendible portion, and it contacts with sealing first end of storage box when assembling storage box.The upper rim of last extendible portion preferably engages with the configuration that matches of exterior part, so that be formed for inner component is combined in fastener matching structure on the exterior part.As a rule, exterior part match be configured as inwardly towards extendible portion.

The storage box is preferably dish type.As selection, the storage box also comprises the device that is used to produce beverage jet, and this device comprises in import and the hole in the beverage flow paths between exporting.In use form in the storage box before import and/or the outlet, this import and/or outlet are preferably covered with material impervious to water by airtight basically.For example, import and/or outlet are by airtight and fluid-tight ply wood covering basically.Ply wood can be polypropylene.Exterior part and/or inner component are for example formed by polypropylene.Perhaps, exterior part and/or inner component can be formed by Biodegradable polymeric.

Inner component has been preferably formed load member.

A plurality of storage boxes preferably also are provided, and each stores up box as mentioned above, is consistent by the output percentage that is included in the formed beverage of described one or more beverage ingredients in the storage box in 1.0 standard deviation wherein.

The present invention also provides a kind of storage box, it comprises one or more beverage ingredients and is formed with material impervious to water by airtight basically, described storage box comprises the import that is used for aqueous medium is incorporated into the storage box, and the outlet that is used for the beverage produced by described one or more beverage ingredients, wherein said storage box comprises exterior part, the device that is inserted into the inner component in the exterior part and is used to produce beverage jet, the wherein said device that is used for producing beverage jet comprises the hole that is positioned at the beverage flow paths that import is communicated with outlet, it is characterized in that this hole limits by the interface between inner component and the exterior part.

Storage box of the present invention has produced beverage jet, its can be used to change distribute the outward appearance and the characteristic of beverage, for example by entrained air is come a large amount of minute bubble of generation in the distribution beverage in beverage jet.Storage box of the present invention easily fit on major part is inner component and exterior part.By adopt parts independent but that combine when the assembling for inner component and exterior part, just can optimize the manufacturing of each parts and the assembling of storing up box.This is advantageous particularly in storage box of the present invention, wherein is used for the hole size of preparation of drinks jet and position and needs minimum tolerance through the remaining part of the beverage flow paths of storage box.In addition, the hole can be oriented to perpendicular to the entire flow path direction, makes beverage impact on the wall or surface of storage box, thereby allows slow-down before distributing.As mentioned above, this precision in hole is difficult the realization with being oriented in the injection molded part.According to the present invention, this difficulty overcomes by limiting hole, and the qualification in hole is by adopting the interface between inner component and the exterior part but not for example forming complete hole with thimble in parts and realize by molded.

Preferably, one in inner component or the exterior part comprises opening, and in inner component or the exterior part another comprises tamper, and wherein after being inserted into inner component in the exterior part, tamper has partly stopped up opening, thereby defines the hole.

Advantageously, can more easily form independent opening and tamper, they are limiting hole together.Preferably, opening comprises the elongate slot that can be located in the inner component.In this case, exterior part comprises tamper.Tamper preferably includes the extendible portion of exterior part, and its at least a portion reaches in the inner component.Elongate slot can be formed in the cylindrical wall of inner component.Elongate slot preferably extends to the upper limb of cylindrical wall.In one embodiment, the extendible portion of exterior part is cylindrical extendible portion, and its mode with bearing fit is contained in the cylindrical wall of inner component.The hole typically has the cross-sectional area of 0.4 to 0.7 square millimeter.

The storage box comprises also that preferably at least one is used for the import of air, and the device that is used to produce the differential pressure of beverage jet, therefore in use, is attached in the beverage as a plurality of minute bubbles from the air of at least one air intlet.This at least one air intlet preferably can be located in the inner component and be positioned at the downstream in hole.Inner component can comprise the spout that defines outlet.The beverage jet that comes from the hole preferably is introduced in the spout, and here it can flow out from the hole and leave on the surface that impinges upon spout between the outlet.This surface is preferably the recess of spout.This recess preferably is located on the opposite side relative with the hole of spout.The hole preferably guides beverage flow with the angle that is substantially perpendicular to the beverage flow that flows out outlet.Therefore, beverage leaves storage at it and must be deflected before box, and this causes beverage flow to slow down, and this be prevent in the reservoir vessel splash desirable.

The parts of inner component and exterior part can more easily carry out disinfection before assembling separately the time.In case these parts combine, just formed the zigzag channel that has many apertures, it can't adopt known method to sterilize effectively.The ability that parts are carried out disinfection is a particularly advantageous characteristics when the storage box is used to distribute milk based beverage.

Advantageously, spout and inner component form one.The beverage that spout is used for being discharged is incorporated into reservoir vessel such as cup.Spout has been avoided excessively splashing or splash of beverage, and is used in adjusting flow of beverage characteristic when being delivered to the reservoir vessel from storing up box beverage.For example, spout can be configured as and reduce the turbulence level that imposes on beverage, to avoid the unnecessary reduction of contained foam volume in the beverage.Also advantageously, storage box itself comprises spout, but not independent spout is provided in beverage preparation machine.Therefore, distributing the risk that does not have dissimilar beverage cross pollutions between the circulation, this is because each spout only uses once, and the remaining part together with the storage box abandons then.Equally preferably, the beverage of discharging via spout can not contact with the exit mechanism of beverage preparation machine, has therefore avoided beverage preparation machine to be made dirty.Spout and inner component are preferably by the individual unit molded or formula that otherwise forms as one, and this has reduced the manufacturing cost of storage box, and have reduced the number of components that needs assembling.

The storage box is preferably dish type.Exterior part and/or inner component are for example formed by polypropylene.The storage box can be made by Biodegradable polymeric.

The present invention also provides a kind of storage box, it contains one or more liquid beverage ingredients and is formed with material impervious to water by airtight basically, this storage box comprises the separate space that comprises described one or more liquid beverage ingredients, this separate space comprises a plurality of egress holes of the beverage that is used for that aqueous medium is incorporated into a plurality of inlet holes of separate space and is used for being produced by one or more beverage ingredients, wherein at least a portion inlet hole and egress hole are unjustified, in separate space, circulate before making at least a portion aqueous medium that enters into separate space via inlet hole be forced in to leave separate space via egress hole, it is characterized in that inlet hole is round the periphery setting of separate space.

Advantageously, storage box of the present invention comprises inlet hole and egress hole, and at least a portion in them is unjustified.This aqueous medium that has guaranteed to enter in the separate space that contains beverage ingredient can't directly arrive egress hole from inlet hole.On the contrary, aqueous medium was limited in circulating in the separate space before leaving via egress hole.This has increased the mixability of aqueous medium and beverage ingredient, and this is because the whole basically beverage ingredients in the separate space can pass through the aqueous medium flow path.

Inlet hole preferably can equally spaced be provided with round the separate space periphery.Egress hole preferably is arranged to respect to the center of inlet hole towards separate space.Egress hole can equally spaced be provided with around the center of separate space.Inlet hole and egress hole more uniform flow characteristic in the separate space uniformly-spaced is provided, this provides the more even mixing of beverage ingredient and aqueous medium.

The storage box preferably includes 3 to 10 inlet holes.4 inlet holes are provided in one embodiment.

The storage box preferably includes 3 to 10 egress holes.5 egress holes are provided in one embodiment.

The inlet hole and the egress hole of unequal number amount preferably are provided.

The quantity of inlet hole and egress hole preferably is given by the following formula:

Xo＝Xi+C

Wherein

The quantity of Xi=inlet hole

The quantity of Xo=egress hole

C=does not comprise 0 or one group of integer of nXi

Any integer of n=.

Advantageously, the quantity of inlet hole and egress hole is selected according to above formula.This is to be particularly advantageous when dish type and hole equally spaced are provided with around dish at the storage box, comprises the storage box parts of inlet hole and egress hole because needn't on purpose align between erecting stage.The duct member mutual orientation is not how, and at least a portion in inlet hole and the egress hole is unjustified.For example, be provided with when being equally spaced four inlet holes and five egress holes, the parts that no matter comprise inlet hole and egress hole all can not make more than one inlet hole align with egress hole as where aliging.This has caused quicker and simpler fitting process.Perhaps, the storage box can comprise the inlet hole and the egress hole of equal amount, but their interval can be arranged to guarantee that at least a portion in import and the outlet is unjustified.

Say that typically inlet hole is located in the exterior part of storage box, egress hole is located in the inner component of storage box.Inner component preferably includes the spout that communicates with egress hole.

In a preferred embodiment, the storage box is a dish type.Aqueous medium is radially inwardly guided to the preferred center towards the storage box of flowing in the separate space through inlet hole.

This storage box especially can be applicable in the beverage ingredient of viscous liquid or gel form.In an application, in storage box 1, include the liquid chocolate composition, its viscosity at room temperature is between 1700 to 3900mPa, be between 5000 to 10000mPa under 0 ℃, and the solid ratio of refraction is 67Brix ± 3.In another kind is used, in storage box 1, include liquid coffee, its viscosity at room temperature is between 70 to 2000mPa, is being between 80 to 5000mPa under 0 ℃, wherein coffee has the total solid level between 40 to 70%.

For solvable beverage ingredient such as viscous liquid or gel, the insufficient mixing of composition and aqueous medium especially can be brought problem.Especially, in containing the storage box of this product, formed the passage that the import that will store up box links to each other with outlet soon because of the local dissolution of composition.These passages have formed the flow path that has than slight drag then concerning remaining aqueous medium, it will tend to along channel flow, rather than flow through the remaining undissolved viscosity composition in the separate space.Storage box of the present invention has solved this problem largely by forcing aqueous medium to circulate in separate space, this circulating not only dissolved the more composition of high range, and in separate space, formed turbulent flow, it has strengthened the mixing of all the other compositions, and this can prevent the flow path than slight drag that forms or keep inlet hole is linked to each other with egress hole.

Exterior part and/or inner component can be formed by polypropylene, and can form by injection mo(u)lding.In one embodiment, exterior part and/or inner component are formed by Biodegradable polymeric.

The present invention also provides a kind of storage box, it comprises one or more beverage ingredients and is formed with material impervious to water by airtight basically, this storage box comprises exterior part and inner component, exterior part defines the storage chamber that wherein stores described one or more beverage ingredients, and inner component has the spout that has formed for the outlet of being flowed out by the formed beverage of one or more beverage ingredients, it is characterized in that inner component has formed load member.

Storage box of the present invention provides the robust mechanism that is used to distribute beverage.Particularly, inner component has formed load member, and it allows the storage box to bear higher clamp load during use.This just allows the storage box to be used for beverage preparation machine, wherein stores up box and afforded clamp load before beginning to distribute circulation.This has reduced the possibility that the storage box lost efficacy again when inner pressurized.In addition, on the storage box, apply clamp load and guaranteed that the parts that store up box are held in place securely and accurately.

The separate part that inner component and exterior part preferably can combine between the erecting stage of storage box.

The storage box preferably also comprises the filter that combines with inner component.

Inner component has been preferably formed the load member with enough rigidity, makes the storage box can bear the clamp load greater than 130N.More preferably, load member has enough rigidity, makes the storage box can bear the above pressure of 200N.Load member preferably has enough rigidity, makes load member can bear the above pressure of 130N.

In one embodiment, inner component is formed by polypropylene.Perhaps, exterior part and/or inner component are formed by Biodegradable polymeric.

Advantageously, inner component comprises spout.The beverage that spout is used for being discharged is incorporated into reservoir vessel such as cup.Spout has been avoided excessively splashing or splash of beverage, and is used in beverage and regulates the flow of beverage characteristic when being delivered to reservoir vessel from the storage box.For example, spout can be configured as and can reduce the turbulence level that imposes on beverage, to avoid the unnecessary reduction of contained foam volume in the beverage.

Inner component preferably forms as one with spout.

The present invention also provides a kind of storage box, it comprises one or more beverage ingredients and is formed with material impervious to water by airtight basically, this storage box comprises the shell of second end that has osed top first end and open wide, this shell defines the storage chamber that wherein stores one or more beverage ingredients, wherein second end that opens wide of shell is sealed by lid, it is characterized in that this storage box also comprises load member, it is cross-placed between sealing first end and lid of shell.

Load member preferably includes spout, and it has formed the outlet of flowing out for by the formed beverage of one or more beverage ingredients.

Load member preferably is located near the storage center of box or its.

Load member preferably has enough rigidity, makes the storage box can bear the above clamp load of 130N.More preferably, load member has enough rigidity, makes the storage box can bear the above pressure of 200N.Preferably, load member has enough rigidity, makes load member can bear the above pressure of 130N.

The present invention also provides a kind of storage box, it comprises one or more beverage ingredients and is formed with material impervious to water by airtight basically, this storage box comprises exterior part and inner component, and be located at filter between storage chamber and the spout, wherein exterior part defines the storage chamber that wherein stores described one or more beverage ingredients, and inner component has the spout that has formed the outlet of flowing out for the beverage that is formed by one or more beverage ingredients, it is characterized in that inner component is combined on the exterior part by weld seam at least in single job with filter.

Advantageously, storage box of the present invention can the failure-free mode assemble, and is minimum to the artificial treatment of parts simultaneously.In addition, exterior part, inner component and filter can at first be assembled into sub-component, can easily transport then and do not have the risk that filter comes off.This can assemble exterior part, inner component and filter at the position different with the sealing part with the filling of storing up box.

Exterior part preferably has the opening that leads to storage chamber, and wherein inner component and filter are combined on the exterior part at the base position away from opening.

Inner component, exterior part and filter preferably the annular.

Weld seam is preferably circular basically.

In one embodiment, inner component and exterior part are plastic material, and described at least one weld seam is the weld seam that super sonic forms.

In one example, inner component comprises framework, and described at least one weld seam is round the periphery of described framework and form.This weld seam has prevented that beverage from flowing out from storage chamber without filter.Framework preferably includes a plurality of disc, its from framework outward sealing first end of parts extend upward, thereby between sealing first end of framework and exterior part, define one or more passages, wherein weld seam is formed between sealing first end of disc and exterior part.

The present invention also provides a kind of method of making the storage box, this storage box comprises one or more beverage ingredients and is formed with material impervious to water by airtight basically, this storage box comprises exterior part and inner component and filter, wherein exterior part defines the storage chamber that wherein stores one or more beverage ingredients, and inner component has the spout that has formed the outlet of flowing out for the beverage that is formed by one or more beverage ingredients, it is characterized in that, this method comprises, in a step inner component and filter is combined on the exterior part by at least welding step.

Welding step preferably fetches by supersonic welding carries out.

This method preferably also comprises round the periphery of inner component and filter and forms first weld line.

This method forms second weld line round inner component and filter near preferably also being included in spout or its.

Be appreciated that term used herein " storage box " refers to any packing, container, sack or the reservoir vessel that includes one or more beverage ingredients in the above described manner.This storage box can for rigidity, semi-rigid or flexible.

Storage box of the present invention contains one or more liquid beverage ingredients that are suitable for forming beverage products.This beverage products for example can or comprise a kind of in the milk based beverage of milk for coffee, tea, chocolate.Beverage ingredient can for pulverous, grind, foliated or liquid.Beverage ingredient can be for insoluble or soluble.Example comprises roasting stir-fry and ground coffee, foliated lamellar tealeaves, Powdered chocolate and soup, liquid milk-based beverage and inspissated juice.

The present invention also provides a kind of storage box, it comprises one or more beverage ingredients and is formed with material impervious to water by airtight basically, this storage box comprises the import that is used for aqueous medium is incorporated into the storage box, and the outlet that supplies the formed beverage of one or more liquid beverage ingredients to discharge, it is characterized in that, the storage box comprises exterior part and the inner component that combines with exterior part when assembling, this inner component defines the outlet of storage box, fastener matching structure wherein is provided, and it can combine exterior part and inner component when assembling storage box.

Storage box of the present invention easily fit on major part is inner component and exterior part.By adopt parts independent but that combine by fastener matching structure when the assembling for inner component and exterior part, just can optimize the manufacturing of each parts and the assembling of storing up box.This needs therein that very the present invention of closed tolerance stores up in the box is particularly advantageous, and this is because limited by the interface between exterior part and the inner component through the beverage flow paths of storage box.In addition, the parts of inner component and exterior part can more easily carry out disinfection before assembling separately the time.In case these parts snap fit together, just formed the zigzag channel that has many apertures, it can't adopt known method to sterilize effectively.The ability that parts are carried out disinfection is a particularly advantageous characteristics when the storage box is used to distribute milk based beverage.Fastener matching structure provide with inner component and exterior part combine fast but the failure-free assembly method.Advantageously, fastener matching structure need not provide glue or other this class adhesives that is exposed in the beverage ingredient in storage box inside.

Fastener matching structure typically comprises the configuration that matches that is positioned on inner component and the exterior part.Second end that exterior part preferably includes osed top first end and opens wide, wherein when inner component snapped fit onto on the exterior part, the outlet of inner component was towards second end that opens wide.Equally preferably, import outward parts open wide second end.Therefore, import and outlet are towards the same side of storage box.This just allows the storage box to can be used in the machine of low Profile, and wherein in use, the sting device that is used to form import and outlet is outstanding from the plane of beverage preparation machine.

The sealing first end place of the preferred parts outside of exterior part and inner component or near its snap engagement.Therefore, realizing combining of inner component and exterior part away from the open end of exterior part or the location point place of oral area.Advantageously, can be before beverage ingredient be filled in the storage box and before the open end of sealing storage box or oral area, carry out the buckle matching step.This has simplified assembly technology, because inner component and exterior part can at first snap fit together to form the storage case module, is transported to the filling station on the baling line then, injects one or more beverage ingredients here.Then the storage box of having filled is sealed, for example by the heatsealing laminate on the open end of parts outside.This assembly technology has been avoided during the heatsealing operation exterior part, inner component and ply wood alignment and the difficult task that keeps this alignment.

Advantageously, the bayonet fitting between inner component and the exterior part has formed fluid-tight sealing.

In one embodiment, inner component also comprises round the sleeve of outlet, sleeve comprises the last extendible portion with upper rim, and it engages with the configuration that matches of exterior part when assembling storage box, so that be formed for fastener matching structure that inner component is combined with exterior part.The configuration that matches of exterior part typically be inwardly towards extendible portion.

Advantageously, inner component comprises spout.The beverage that spout is used for being discharged is incorporated into reservoir vessel such as cup.Spout has been avoided excessively splashing or splash of beverage, and is used in adjusting flow of beverage characteristic when being delivered to the reservoir vessel from storing up box beverage.For example, spout can be configured as and reduce the turbulence level that imposes on beverage, to avoid the unnecessary reduction of contained foam volume in the beverage.Also advantageously, storage box itself comprises spout, but not independent spout is provided in beverage preparation machine.Therefore, distributing the risk that does not have dissimilar beverage cross pollutions between the circulation, this is because each spout only uses once, and the remaining part together with the storage box abandons then.Equally preferably, the beverage of discharging via spout can not contact with the exit mechanism of beverage preparation machine, has therefore avoided beverage preparation machine to be made dirty.Spout and inner component are preferably formed one.Advantageously, spout and inner component are by the individual unit molded or formula that otherwise forms as one, and this has reduced the manufacturing cost of storage box, and has reduced the number of components that needs assembling.

In one embodiment, spout comprises tapering part.In an alternative, spout comprises cylindrical part.In the optional modification of another kind, spout comprises separator, and it extends along the length of spout at least in part.Separator reduced beverage when discharging splash and the amount of splashing.

The storage box is preferably dish type.As selection, the storage box also comprises the device that is used to produce beverage jet, and this device comprises in import and the hole in the beverage flow paths between exporting.Exterior part and/or inner component are for example formed by polypropylene.

In following introduction, will adopt term " on " and D score and equivalent term the relative positioning of feature of the present invention is described.Term " on " and D score and equivalent term be interpreted as referring to be in the storage box (or other parts) to be used for being inserted into beverage preparation machine and distributing subsequently in its normal orientation, for example as shown in Figure 4.Particularly, " on " and D score respectively finger is near or away from the relative position of the end face 11 of storage box.In addition, will adopt term " interior " and " outward " and equivalent term to describe the relative positioning of feature of the present invention.It is near or away from the relative position of the storage box (or other parts) of the center of storage box 1 (or other parts) or spindle axis X that term " interior " and " outward " and equivalent term are interpreted as finger respectively.

Description of drawings

To only also introduce embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings below by example, in the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is the cutaway view according to the exterior part among first and second embodiment of storage box of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is the cutaway view of the details of exterior part shown in Figure 1, inwardly shown towards cylindrical extendible portion;

Fig. 3 is the cutaway view of the details of exterior part shown in Figure 1, has shown notch;

Fig. 4 is the transparent view of looking from the top of exterior part shown in Figure 1;

Fig. 5 is in the transparent view of looking from the top of being inverted the exterior part shown in Figure 1 in the orientation;

Fig. 6 is the planar view of looking from the top of exterior part shown in Figure 1;

Fig. 7 is the cutaway view of inner component of first embodiment of storage box;

Fig. 8 is the transparent view of looking from the top of inner component shown in Figure 7;

Fig. 9 is in the transparent view of looking from the top of being inverted the inner component shown in Figure 7 in the orientation;

Figure 10 is the planar view of looking from the top of inner component shown in Figure 7;

Figure 11 is in the cutaway view of first embodiment of the storage box of confined state;

Figure 12 is the cutaway view of inner component of second embodiment of storage box;

Figure 13 is the cutaway view of the details of inner component shown in Figure 12, has shown the hole;

Figure 14 is the transparent view of looking from the top of inner component shown in Figure 12;

Figure 15 is in the transparent view of looking from the top of being inverted the inner component shown in Figure 12 in the orientation;

Figure 16 is another cutaway view of inner component shown in Figure 12;

Figure 17 is the cutaway view of another details of inner component shown in Figure 12, has shown air intlet;

Figure 18 is the cutaway view that is in second embodiment of the storage box under the confined state;

Figure 19 is the cutaway view according to the exterior part of third and fourth embodiment of storage box of the present invention;

Figure 20 is the cutaway view of the details of exterior part shown in Figure 19, inwardly shown towards cylindrical extendible portion;

Figure 21 is the planar view of looking from the top of exterior part shown in Figure 19;

Figure 22 is the transparent view of looking from the top of exterior part shown in Figure 19;

Figure 23 is in the transparent view of looking from the top of being inverted the exterior part shown in Figure 19 in the orientation;

Figure 24 is the cutaway view of inner component of the 3rd embodiment of storage box;

Figure 25 is the planar view of looking from the top of inner component shown in Figure 24;

Figure 26 is the cutaway view of the details of inner component shown in Figure 24, has shown the upper rim that turns over inwardly;

Figure 27 is the transparent view of looking from the top of inner component shown in Figure 24;

Figure 28 is in the transparent view of looking from the top of being inverted the inner component shown in Figure 24 in the orientation;

Figure 29 is in the cutaway view of the 3rd embodiment of the storage box of confined state;

Figure 30 is the cutaway view according to the inner component of the 4th embodiment of storage box of the present invention;

Figure 31 is the planar view of looking from the top of inner component shown in Figure 30;

Figure 32 is the transparent view of looking from the top of inner component shown in Figure 30;

Figure 33 is in the transparent view of looking from the top of being inverted the inner component shown in Figure 30 in the orientation;

Figure 34 is in the cutaway view of the 4th embodiment of the storage box of confined state;

Figure 35 a is the diagram of curves of concentration with respect to the operation cycle time;

Figure 35 b is the diagram of curves of foamability with respect to the operation cycle time; With

Figure 35 c is the diagram of curves of temperature with respect to the operation cycle time.

The specific embodiment

As shown in figure 11, storage box 1 of the present invention roughly comprises exterior part 2, inner component 3 and ply wood 5.Exterior part 2, inner component 3 and ply wood 5 are assembled together to form storage box 1, it has the inside 120 that is used to hold one or more beverage ingredients, import 121, outlet 122, and with import 121 and outlet 122 links to each other and through the beverage flow paths of inside 120.Import 121 and outlet 122 are sealed by ply wood 5 at first, and in use open by piercing through or cut ply wood 5.Beverage flow paths limits by the space interrelation between exterior part 2, inner component 3 and the ply wood 5, and is as described below.Optionally include other parts in storage box 1, for example filter 4, as hereinafter further introducing.

Shown the storage box 1 that to introduce at first pattern of the described purposes of background technology at Fig. 1 to 11.First pattern of storage box 1 is designed for distributing filter back product especially, for example bakes stir-fry and ground coffee or tealeaves.Yet the storage box 1 of this pattern and other pattern as described below can be used for other products, for example chocolate, coffee, tea, sweetener, sweet wine, spices, alcoholic beverage, flavouring milk, fruit juice, band pulp and juice, dip and sweets.

As can be seen from Fig. 5, the global shape of storage box 1 is circular or dish type, and the diameter that wherein stores up box 1 is much larger than its height.Spindle axis X is through the center of exterior part, as shown in Figure 1.As a rule, the integral diameter of exterior part 2 is 74.5 millimeters ± 6 millimeters, and whole height is 16 millimeters ± 3 millimeters.The volume of the storage box 1 that assembles is generally 30.2 milliliters ± 20%.

Exterior part 2 generally comprises bowl-shaped shell 10, and it has crooked annular wall 13, closure tip 11 and open bottom 12.The diameter at exterior part 2 11 places at the top is less than the diameter at 12 places in the bottom, causes annular wall 13 to be opened extending to open bottom 12 from closure tip 11.Annular wall 13 and closure tip 11 define the reservoir vessel with inside 34 together.

In closure tip 11 with spindle axis X be the center be provided with inwardly towards hollow cylindrical extendible portion 18.Clearly illustrate more that as Fig. 2 cylindrical extendible portion 18 comprises step-like profile, it has first 19, second portion 20 and third part 21.First 19 is straight cylindrical.Second portion 20 is the shape of frustum, and inwardly diminishes.Third part 21 is that another is straight cylindrical, and is sealed by bottom surface 31.Diminish to the diameter incremental of first 19, second portion 20 and third part 21, make the diameter of cylindrical extendible portion 18 in that the 11 sealing bottom surfaces 31 that extend to cylindrical extendible portion 18 diminish from the top.Formed the shoulder 32 of approximate horizontal at the second portion 20 on the cylindrical extendible portion 18 and the joint between the third part 21.

Formed towards the bottom 12 outward extending shoulder 33 outside in the parts 2.Outward extending shoulder 33 formed with coaxial second wall 15 of annular wall 13 so that limit circular orbit, it has formed collecting pipe 16 between second wall 15 and annular wall 13.Collecting pipe 16 extends round the periphery of exterior part 2.A series of notches 17 are located in the annular wall 13 and are concordant with collecting pipe 16, so that provide gas and fluid connection between the inside 34 of collecting pipe 16 and exterior part 2.As shown in Figure 3, notch 17 has constituted the vertical slits in the annular wall 13.Be provided with the notch between 20 to 40.In the embodiment shown, 37 notches 17 are roughly equally spacedly around the periphery setting of collecting pipe 16.Notch 17 preferably has the length between 1.4 to 1.8 millimeters.The typical length of each notch is 1.6 millimeters, its be exterior part 2 whole height 10%.The width of each notch is between 0.25 to 0.35 millimeter.Usually, the width of each notch is 0.3 millimeter.The width of notch 17 should be enough narrow, with prevent between the storage life or in use beverage ingredient therefrom through and enter in the collecting pipe 16.

Exterior part in the parts 22 periphery places have formed snout cavity 26 outside.Clearly illustrate that as Fig. 5 be provided with cylindrical wall 27, it defines snout cavity 26 therein, and the snout cavity 26 and the inside 34 of exterior part 2 are separated.Cylindrical wall 27 has the sealing end face 28 that is formed on perpendicular on the plane of spindle axis X, and with the unlimited lower end 29 of bottom 12 coplanes of exterior part 2.Snout cavity 26 is connected with collecting pipe 16 via two notches 30, as shown in Figure 1.Perhaps, can adopt one to four notch to come to form between collecting pipe 16 and snout cavity 26 is communicated with.

The lower end of outward extending shoulder 33 is provided with outward extending flange 35, and it extends perpendicular to spindle axis X.Representative type flange 35 has the width between 2 to 4 millimeters.The part of flange 35 extends, to form the handle 24 that can hold exterior part 2 by it.Handle 24 is provided with the rim of upwards digging 25, so that promote grasping.

Exterior part 2 is by high density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene, polystyrene, the formed single integral piece part of polyester, perhaps is two or more ply woodes made in these materials.Suitable polypropylene comprises the poly-mer in the certain limit that can obtain from DSM Britain Co., Ltd (Britain Redditch area).Exterior part can be opaque, transparent or semi-translucent.Manufacturing process can be injection mo(u)lding.

Inner component 3 shown in Fig. 7 to 10 comprises annular frame 41 and the cylindrical funnel 40 that extends downwards.Spindle axis X is through the center of inner component 3, as shown in Figure 7.

Illustrate best as Fig. 8, annular frame 41 comprises exterior rim 51 and the interior hub 52 that links to each other by ten equally spaced radial spokes 53.Interior hub 52 forms one with cylindrical funnel 40 and therefrom extends.Formed filtering holes 55 between the radial spoke 53 in annular frame 41.Filter 4 is located on the annular frame 41, so that cover filtering holes 55.Filter is preferably made by having than the material of high wet strength such as the nonwoven material of polyester.Spendable other material comprises fluid-tight cellulosic material, for example contains the cellulosic material of weaving the paper fiber.Weaving the paper fiber can be blended together with polypropylene, polyvinylchloride and/or poly fiber.These plastic material are combined in the cellulosic material, make cellulosic material to be heat-sealed.Filter 4 also can utilize and can be handled or apply by the material of heat and/or pressure activated, makes it to be sealed in like this on the annular frame 41.

Shown in the cross-sectional profiles of Fig. 7, interior hub 52 is located at the position lower than exterior rim 51, thereby makes annular frame 41 have bevelled below profile.

The upper surface of each spoke 53 is provided with upright disc 54, and it is divided into a plurality of passages 57 with the void space of annular frame more than 41.Each passage 57 is limited by disc 54 on both sides, is limited by filter 4 on the bottom surface.Passage 57 extends downwards from exterior rim 51, and is passed in the cylindrical funnel 40 at the opening that the inner limited 56 places by disc 54.

Cylindrical funnel 40 comprises outer tube 42, and it has surrounded interior spout 43.Outer tube 42 has formed the outside of cylindrical funnel 40.Spout 43 is connected on the outer tube 42 by the upper end of annular lip 47 at spout 43.Spout 43 comprises the import 45 that is positioned at the upper end that is communicated with the opening 56 of passage 57, and the outlet 44 that is positioned at lower end, and prepared beverage can be drained in cup or other reservoir vessel by exporting 44.Spout 43 comprises the cone frustum shaped portion 48 of upper end and the cylindrical part 58 of lower end.Cylindrical part 58 can have taper slightly, makes it narrow down towards outlet 44.Cone frustum shaped portion 48 helps to guide beverage into outlet 44 downwards from passage 57, and can not cause the beverage turbulent flow.The upper surface of cone frustum shaped portion 48 is provided with four supporting disc 49, and it is equally spacedly round the periphery of cylindrical funnel 40.Supporting disc 49 defines passage 50 between them.The upper limb of supporting disc 49 is concordant each other, and perpendicular to spindle axis X.

Inner component 3 can form the single integral piece part by the injection mo(u)lding identical with exterior part 2 by polypropylene or above-mentioned materials similar.

Perhaps, inner component 3 and/or exterior part 2 can be made by Biodegradable polymeric.Degradable polyethylene (for example SPITEK that is provided by the Symphony Environmental company of Britain Borehamwood), biodegradable polyesteramide (for example BAK1095 that is provided by Symphony Environmental company), poly(lactic acid) (PLA that is provided by the Cargil company of Minn.), starch-based polymer, cellulose derivative and polypeptide are provided the example of suitable material.

Ply wood 5 is formed by two-layer, i.e. ground floor aluminium and second layer casting mold polypropylene.The thickness of aluminium lamination is between 0.02 to 0.07 millimeter.Casting mold uses the thickness of polypropylene layer between 0.025 to 0.065 millimeter.In one embodiment, aluminium lamination is 0.06 millimeters thick, and polypropylene layer is 0.025 millimeters thick.This ply wood is particularly advantageous, because it has very strong coiling-resistant ability in fitting process.As a result, ply wood 5 can cut into exact dimension and shape in advance, and be sent to the assembly station on the manufacturing line subsequently and can not occur the distortion.Therefore, ply wood 5 is particularly suitable for welding.Other available laminate sheet material comprises PET/ aluminium/PP, PE/EVOH/PP, PET/ metal layer/PP and aluminium/PP ply wood.Available layers pressing plate coiled material replaces die-cut getting the raw materials ready.

Storage box 1 can be by rigidity or semi-rigid lid but not the flexible layer pressing plate seal.

The assembling of storage box 1 relates to following steps:

A) inner component 3 is inserted in the exterior part 2;

B) with filter 4 cutting formings and be placed on the inner component 3, so that be accommodated on the cylindrical funnel 40 and lean against on the annular frame 41;

C) by ultrasonic welding inner component 3, exterior part 2 and filter 4 are combined;

D) fill storage box 1 with one or more beverage ingredients;

E) ply wood 5 is fixed on the exterior part 2.

These steps will be described in further detail.

Exterior part 2 is oriented such that open bottom 12 upwards.Then inner component 3 is inserted in the exterior part 2, wherein exterior rim 51 is contained at 11 places, top of storage box 1 with the form of easy fit and extends axially in the part 14.The cylindrical extendible portion 18 of exterior part 2 is contained in the top of cylindrical funnel 40 of inner component 3 simultaneously.The third part 21 of cylindrical extendible portion 18 is placed in the cylindrical funnel 40, and the sealing bottom surface 31 of wherein cylindrical extendible portion 18 leans against on the supporting disc 49 of inner component 3.Then filter 4 is placed on the inner component 3, makes filter material contact with annular rim 51.Adopt ultrasonic welding process that filter 4 is combined on the inner component 3 then, in same processing step, inner component 3 is combined on the exterior part 2 simultaneously.Inner component 3 and filter 4 be welded on exterior rim 51 around.Inner component 3 and exterior part 2 combine by the weld line around the upper limb that is centered around exterior rim 51 and disc 54.

As being clearly shown that in Figure 11, exterior part 2 and inner component 3 are defining void space 130 under the annular lip 41 He outside the cylindrical funnel 40 in inner 120 when combining, and it has formed filter chamber.Filter chamber 130 and the annular frame passage 57 more than 41 is separated by filter paper 4.

Filter chamber 130 comprises one or more beverage ingredients 200.Described one or more beverage ingredients are encased in the filter chamber 130.For the beverage that filters style, this composition is generally roasting stir-fry and ground coffee or tealeaves.The loading density of beverage ingredient in filter chamber 130 can change as required.Usually, for the coffee product that filters, in thickness was generally 5 to 14 millimeters filter bed, filter chamber comprised roasting stir-fry and the ground coffee between 5.0 to 10.2 grams.As selection, inner 120 can comprise the object of one or more for example balls, and it can freely move in inner 120, so that promote to mix with the deposition of destroying beverage ingredient by causing turbulent flow at the deenergized period of beverage.

Periphery formation weld seam 126 by surrounding layer pressing plate 5 is combined in ply wood 5 on the bottom surface of the flange 35 that stretches out then, thereby ply wood 5 is fixed on the exterior part 2.Weld seam 126 extends then, so that ply wood 5 is sealed on the lower edge of cylindrical wall 27 of snout cavity 26.In addition, between the lower edge of the outer tube 42 of ply wood 5 and cylindrical funnel 40, form weld seam 125, made inner component 3 be cross-placed between exterior part 2 and the ply wood 5.Ply wood 5 has formed the lower wall of filter chamber 130, and has sealed snout cavity 26 and cylindrical funnel 40.Yet, before distributing, between the lower edge of ply wood 5 and spout 43, have little gap 123.Can adopt multiple welding method such as heatsealing and ultrasonic welding, this depends on the material behavior of ply wood 5.

Advantageously, inner component 3 is cross-placed between exterior part 2 and the ply wood 5.Inner component 3 is by relatively the material such as the polypropylene of rigidity form.Like this, inner component 3 has formed load member, and it is used for making ply wood 5 and exterior part 2 keep spaced apart when storage box 1 pressurized.Storage box 1 preferably in use affords the clamp load between 130 to 280N, and this load is applied by the beverage preparation machine that the storage box is inserted into wherein.Yet, store up in being provided with of boxes and machine at some, also may use low-force greater than 50N.This pressure is used to prevent to store up box and lost efficacy when inner pressurized, and can be used for inner component 3 and exterior part 2 are pressed together.This has guaranteed that the path in the storage box 1 and the internal dimensions in hole fix, and can not change during the pressurized of storage box 1.

In order to use storage box 1, at first it is inserted in the beverage preparation machine, and opens import 121 and outlet 122 by the puncture component of beverage preparation machine, this puncture component is bored a hole ply wood 5 and is folded up.The aqueous medium that is generally water enters storage box 1 by import 121 under pressure, enter snout cavity 26 under the pressure between the 0.1-2.0 crust.Flow through from being directed here notch 30 and flow of water around collecting pipe 16, and enter the filter chamber 130 of storage box 1 through a plurality of notches 17.Water is forced to radially inwardly flow through filter chamber 130, and mixes with the beverage ingredient 200 that is wherein comprised.Water is forced upwardly through beverage ingredient simultaneously.Enter into the passage 57 of annular frame 41 tops via filter 4 and filtering holes 55 by the beverage that water is formed through beverage ingredient.Filter 4 on spoke 53 sealing and the welding of rim 51 and exterior part 2 guaranteed not exist shortcut, all beverages all must be through filter 4.

Beverage is flowed through opening 56 downwards and is entered in the cylindrical funnel 40 along being formed at radial passage 57 between the disc 54 then.Beverage arrives outlet 44 through spout 43 downwards along the passage 50 between the supporting disc 47, and here beverage is drained in reservoir vessel such as the cup.

Beverage preparation machine preferably includes the air purge instrument, wherein forces pressurized air by storing up box 1, so that wash away the beverage that remains in the reservoir vessel when operation cycle finishes.

To introduce the storage box 1 of second pattern referring to Figure 12 to 18 below.The storage box 1 of second pattern is designed for distributing the product of espresso style to fry and ground coffee as roasting especially, wherein needs to produce the beverage of the band micro-bubble that is called crema.Therefore identical in many features of the storage box 1 of second pattern and first pattern adopt similar label to come feature like the representation class.To discuss the difference between first and second patterns in the following description.The common trait that works in the same manner will can not introduced in detail.

Exterior part 2 has storage box 1 identical construction with first pattern, and shown in Fig. 1 to 6.

Identical in the annular frame 41 of inner component 3 and first pattern.Equally, filter 4 is located on the annular frame 41 so that cover filtering holes 55.The outer tube 42 of cylindrical funnel 40 is also with foregoing identical.Yet, to compare with first pattern, the structure of the inner component 2 of second pattern has many differences.As shown in figure 16, spout 43 is provided with separator 65, and it has extended a segment distance from exporting 44 towards the top of spout 43.Separator 65 helps to prevent that spraying and/or splash from appearring in beverage when leaving spout 43.The profile of spout 43 also is different, and comprises the step-like profile that has obvious bending section 66 near the upper end of pipe 43.

Rim 67 erectly is provided with from outer tube 42 being combined on the annular lip 47 on the spout 43.Rim 67 is round the import 45 of leading to spout 43, and defines torus section 69 between the top of rim 67 and outer tube 42.Rim 67 be provided with inwardly towards shoulder 68.Some place around the periphery of rim 67 is provided with the hole 70 of notch form, and its upper limb from rim 67 extends to certain point below the level height of shoulder 68, clearly illustrates as Figure 12 and 13.Notch has 0.64 millimeter width.

Air intlet 71 is located in the annular lip 47, and upwards aims in week with hole 70, shown in Figure 16 and 17.Air intlet 71 comprises the hole of passing flange 47, so as between outer tube 42 and the spout 43 flange more than 47 point and the void space of flange below 47 between connection is provided.Preferably as shown in the figure, air intlet 71 comprises cone frustum shaped portion 73 and following cylindrical part 72.Air intlet 71 forms by mould such as thimble usually.The tapered profiles of air intlet 71 allows that mould is easier to be taken out from moulding part.Near the walls air intlet 71 of being positioned at of outer tube 42 are configured as and can form skewed slot 75, import 45 that it leads to spout 43 from air intlet 71.As shown in figure 17, between air intlet 71 and skewed slot 75, formed corner cut shoulder 74, with can not make dirty immediately flange 47 upper surfaces of next-door neighbour's air intlet 71 of the beverage jet that guarantees to come from notch 70.

As first embodiment, inner component 3 is as load member.

The assembling process of the storage box 1 of second pattern is similar to the assembling of first pattern.Yet, have some differences.As shown in figure 18, the third part 21 of cylindrical extendible portion 18 is placed in the supporting rim 67 but not is placed on the supporting disc.The shoulder 32 of the cylindrical extendible portion 18 between second portion 20 and the third part 21 leans against on the upper limb of supporting rim 67 of inner component 3.Therefore, formed boundary zone 124 between inner component 3 and exterior part 2, it comprises the face sealing between cylindrical extendible portion 18 and supporting rim 67 that extends along the almost whole periphery of storage box 1.Although because the notch 70 of supporting in the rim 67 extends through supporting rim 67 and extend downward below the shoulder 68 any location point place, cylindrical extendible portion 18 and the sealing of supporting between the rim 67 are not fluid-tight.Therefore, cylindrical extendible portion 18 and the interface fit of supporting between the rim 67 make notch 70 distortion pore-formings 128, clearly illustrate as Figure 18, thereby the connection of gas and liquid is provided between torus section 69 and spout 43.The hole is generally 0.64 mm wide, 0.69 millimeters long.

The class of operation of the storage box 1 distribution beverage of second pattern is similar to the operation in first pattern, but has certain difference.Beverage in the radial passage 57 flows downward along the passage 57 that is formed between the disc 54, and enters into the torus section 69 of cylindrical funnel 40 through opening 56.By being gathered in the back pressure of the beverage in filter chamber 130 and the passage 57, beverage is forced to from torus section 69 through via hole 128 under pressure.Therefore, beverage is forced through hole 128 as jet and enters by the formed expansion chamber in the upper end of spout 43.As shown in figure 18, beverage jet is directly crossed air intlet 71.When beverage entered spout 43, the pressure of beverage jet reduced.As a result, when air was upwards taken out through air intlet 71, air was entrained in the beverage flow with the form of a large amount of minute bubbles.The beverage jet that comes from hole 128 flows to outlet 44 downwards with the same form of funnel, and here beverage is discharged in reservoir vessel such as the cup, and wherein bubble has formed required crema.Therefore, hole 128 and air intlet 71 have formed together and have been used for the injection structure of entrained air at beverage.Beverage enters the mobile held stationary as far as possible of injection structure to reduce loss of pressure.Advantageously, the wall of injection structure should be made into recessed, so that reduce the loss that causes because of " wall attachment effect " friction.The dimension limit in hole 128 is less.Hole dimension is preferably fixed value and adds and subtracts 0.02 square millimeter.Can be in the outlet of injection structure or that hair, microfilament or other surface imperfection structure are set is long-pending to increase the effective cross section in the exit, have been found that this means can strengthen the degree of entrained air.

The storage box 1 that in Figure 19 to 29, has shown the 3rd pattern.The storage box 1 of the 3rd pattern is designed for distributing soluble products especially, and it can be Powdered, liquid, pulpous state, gel or similar type.In use, soluble products is dissolved by aqueous medium during through storage box 1 or forms suspending fluid at aqueous medium such as water.But the example of beverage comprises chocolate, coffee, milk, tea, soup or other rehydration or can water-soluble product.Therefore identical in many features of the storage box 1 of the 3rd pattern and the above-mentioned pattern adopt like numerals will to represent similar characteristics.To discuss the difference between the 3rd pattern and the above-mentioned pattern in the following description.The common trait that works in the same manner will can not introduced in detail.

Compare with the exterior part 2 of above-mentioned pattern, the exterior part 2 of the 3rd pattern inwardly towards hollow cylindrical extendible portion 18 have bigger overall diameter, as shown in figure 20.Particularly, compare with 13.2 millimeters of the exterior part 2 that is used for above-mentioned pattern, the diameter of first 19 is usually between 16 to 18 millimeters.In addition, first 19 is provided with the outside face 19a or the projection of protrusion, is clearly shown that as Figure 20, and its function is as described below.Yet the diameter of third part 21 of storage box 1 is identical, causes the area of the shoulder 32 in the storage box 1 of the 3rd pattern bigger.The typical volumes of having assembled storage box 1 is 32.5 milliliters ± 20%.

The quantity of the notch of annular wall 13 lower ends also is different with the location.Be provided with 3 to 5 notches.In the embodiment shown in Figure 23, four notches 36 are equally spacedly around the periphery setting of collecting pipe 16.Notch 36 slightly wide than in the above-mentioned pattern storage box 1 is between 0.35 to 0.45 millimeter, is preferably 0.4 mm wide.

The exterior part 2 of storage box 1 is identical in others.

Identical in the structure of the cylindrical funnel 40 of inner component 3 and first pattern storage box 1 is provided with outer tube 42, spout 45, annular lip 47 and supporting disc 49.Unique difference is that spout 45 is configured as frustro-conical segment 92 and following cylindrical segment 93.

Compare with above-mentioned pattern, shown in Figure 24 to 28, annular frame 41 is replaced by sleeve part 80, sleeve part 80 round cylindrical funnel 40 and by 8 radially strut 87 connect thereon, strut 87 joins with cylindrical funnel 40 near annular lip 47 places or its.The cylindrical extendible portion 81 of sleeve part 80 extends upward from strut 87, defines the chamber 90 that has open top face.The upper rim 91 of cylindrical extendible portion 81 has the profile that turns over inwardly, as shown in figure 26.The annular wall 82 of sleeve part 80 is extended downwards from strut 87, defines torus section 86 between sleeve part 80 and outer tube 42.

Annular wall 82 comprises outward flange 83 in the lower end, it is arranged perpendicular to spindle axis X.Rim 84 dangles downwards from the bottom surface of flange 83, and comprises five holes 85 that circumferentially are provided with equally spacedly around rim 84.Therefore, rim 84 is provided with the bottom profiled of castellated.

Between strut 87, be provided with hole 89, thereby allow the connection between chamber 90 and the torus section 86.

As first embodiment, inner component 3 is as load member.

The assembling process that is used for the 3rd pattern storage box 1 is similar to the assembling of first pattern, but has certain difference.Exterior part 2 and inner component 3 DF Drive Fit as shown in figure 29 are in the same place, and fix but not weld together by fastener matching structure.In the process of these two parts combinations, inwardly towards cylindrical extendible portion 18 is contained in the last cylindrical extendible portion 81 of sleeve part 80.The friction-type that turns over rim 91 in the protrusion outside face 19a of the first 19 by cylindrical extendible portion 18 and the last cylindrical extendible portion 81 is bonded with each other, and just inner component 3 can be fixed in the exterior part 2.By inner component 3 is located in the exterior part 2, just formed hybrid chamber 134 in the outside that is positioned at sleeve part 80.Hybrid chamber 134 included beverage ingredient 200 before distributing.It should be noted that upwards staggered each other in week in four imports 36 and five holes 85.The relative position of these two parts needn't be for that determine or fixing between erecting stage, this be because the use in four imports 36 and five holes 85 has guaranteed the relatively rotation place between these parts how, always out-of-alignment between import and hole.Other quantity of inlet hole and egress hole can be provided by following formula:

Xo＝Xi+C

Wherein

The quantity of Xi=inlet hole

The quantity of Xo=egress hole

C=does not comprise 0 or one group of integer of nXi

Any integer of n=.

Perhaps, can not line up so that guarantee import and outlet round the inlet hole and the egress hole of equal number are set with storing up the box unequal interval.

One or more beverage ingredients are seated in the hybrid chamber 134 of storage box.The loading density of beverage ingredient in hybrid chamber 134 can change as required.

Then with ply wood 5 with above pattern in above-mentioned same way as be fixed on exterior part 2 and the inner component 3.

In use, water with above pattern storage box in identical mode enter hybrid chamber 134 via four notches 36.Water is forced to radially inwardly pass through hybrid chamber, and mixes with the beverage ingredient that is included in wherein.Product is dissolved in the water or mixes with it, and has formed beverage in hybrid chamber 134, and the back pressure by beverage in the hybrid chamber 134 and water is driven through the hole 85 and enters into torus section 86 then.Circumferentially staggering of four import notches 36 and five holes 85 guaranteed that water jet must at first circulate at hybrid chamber 134, could radially lead to hole 85 from import notch 36 then.The degree and the conformability of the dissolving or the mixing of product have so just been improved significantly.Beverage is forced upwardly in torus section 86 through the hole 89 between the strut 87 and enters into chamber 90.Beverage enters spout 43 through the import 45 between the supporting disc 49 from chamber 90, and flows to outlet 44, and here beverage is drained in reservoir vessel such as the cup.This storage box especially can be applicable to the beverage ingredient of viscous liquid or gel form.In one application, include the liquid chocolate composition in storage box 1, its viscosity at room temperature is between 1700 to 3900mPa, be between 5000 to 10000mPa under 0 ℃, and the solid ratio of refraction is 67Brix ± 3.In another kind is used, in storage box 1, include liquid coffee, its viscosity at room temperature is between 70 to 2000mPa, is being between 80 to 5000mPa under 0 ℃, wherein coffee has the total solid level between 40 to 70%.The liquid coffee composition can contain the sodium bicarbonate between 0.1 to 2.0% weight, preferably between 0.5 to 1.0% weight.Sodium bicarbonate is used for the pH value level of coffee is maintained 4.8 or lower, thus make the storage box that is filled with coffee shelf-life reach 12 months.

The storage box 1 that in Figure 30 to 34, has shown the 4th pattern.The storage box 1 of the 4th pattern is designed to can be used for dispense liquid product such as condensed liquid milk especially.Therefore identical in many features of the storage box 1 of the 4th pattern and the above-mentioned pattern adopt like numerals will to come feature like the representation class.To discuss the difference between the 4th pattern and the above pattern in the following description.The common trait that works in the same manner will can not introduced in detail.

Identical in the storage box 1 of exterior part 2 and the 3rd pattern, and shown in Figure 19 to 23.

The cylindrical funnel 40 of inner component 3 be similar in second pattern storage box 1 shown in, but have certain difference.As shown in figure 30, spout 43 is configured as and has frustro-conical segment 106 and following cylindrical segment 107.On the inside face of spout 43, be provided with three axial fins 105,, and prevent that the beverage of being discharged from circling round downwards in spout so that the beverage that is distributed is guided towards outlet 44.Therefore, fin 105 is as partition.Store up in the box 1 as second pattern, air intlet 71 is arranged to pass annular lip 47.Yet, longer in skewed slot 75 to the second patterns of air intlet 71 belows.

Sleeve part 80 be arranged to be similar in above-mentioned the 3rd pattern storage box 1 shown in.In rim 84, be provided with 5 to 12 holes 85.Be typically provided with 10 holes, but not as 5 holes in the storage box 1 of the 3rd pattern.

Annular bowl 100 is arranged to from the sleeve part 80 flange 83 and is extended out and form one with it.Annular bowl 100 comprises open main body 101, and it has towards last unlimited upper oral part 104.Four feeding holes 103 are located in the main body 101 shown in Figure 30 and 31, and are positioned at or near the lower end of bowl 100, here it combines with sleeve part 80.Preferably, the feeding hole is provided with equally spacedly around the periphery of bowl 100.

As first embodiment, inner component 3 is as load member.

Ply wood 5 is the type described in the foregoing description.

Identical in the assembling process of the 4th pattern storage box 1 and the 3rd pattern.

The class of operation of the 4th pattern storage box is similar to the operation of the 3rd pattern.Water enters storage box 1 and hybrid chamber 134 with foregoing same way as.Water mixes with liquid product and with its dilution there, and it is forced in then under the bowl 100 and flows out, and flows to outlet 44 through via hole 85, as mentioned above.Being included in the water that part of liquid products in the annular bowl shown in Figure 34 100 are not entered hybrid chamber 134 at first dilutes immediately.On the contrary, the diluted liquid product in hybrid chamber 134 bottoms will tend to through the hole 85 and leave, and enter in the annular bowl 100 but not be forced upwardly via upper oral part 104.Therefore, compare with the product in hybrid chamber 134 bottoms, the liquid product in the annular bowl 100 remains more concentrated at the initial stage of operation cycle.Liquid product by gravity in the annular bowl 100 drops onto via hole 85 via feeding hole 103 and leaves in the product stream of hybrid chamber 134 below bowl 100.Annular bowl 100 is used to make the concentration uniformization of the diluted liquid product that enters cylindrical funnel 40, this is by keeping a part of concentrated liquid product, and in whole batch operation circulation, it stably is discharged into to leave and realizes in the flow of liquid flow path, shown in Figure 35 a, wherein shown the milk concentration of the existing total solid percentum of conduct measured during about 15 seconds operation cycle.Line a has shown the concentration curve that has bowl 100, and line b has shown the concentration curve that does not have the storage of bowl 100 box.Can see, the concentration curve that has cup 100 is more steady during operation cycle, does not have the initially bigger decline that resembles with not occurring concentration the bowl 100.As a rule, the initial concentration of milk is 30-35%SS, is 10%SS when loop ends.This has caused dilution ratio is about 3 to 1, yet the dilution ratio between 1 to 1 to 6 to 1 also can be used for the present invention.For other liquid beverage ingredients, this concentration can change.For example for liquid chocolate, initial concentration is about 67%SS, is 12-15%SS when loop ends.This causes the dilution ratio ratio of aqueous medium and beverage ingredient in the beverage (distribute) for about 5 to 1, yet the dilution ratio between 2 to 1 to 10 to 1 also can be used for the present invention.For liquid coffee, initial concentration is between 40-67%, and distributing the concentration when finishing is 1-2%SS, or the like.This causes dilution ratio between 20 to 1 to 70 to 1, yet the dilution ratio between 10 to 1 to 100 to 1 also can be used for the present invention.

By being gathered in the back pressure of the beverage in filter chamber 134 and the chamber 90, beverage is forced to the hole 128 of flowing through from torus section 86 under pressure.Therefore, beverage is forced through hole 128 as jet, and enters in the expansion chamber that the upper end by spout 43 forms.As shown in figure 34, beverage jet is directly crossed air intlet 71.When beverage enters spout 43, the pressure decay of beverage jet.As a result, when air was upwards taken out through air intlet 71, air was entrained in the beverage flow with the form of a large amount of minute bubbles.The beverage jet that comes from the hole 128 flows to outlet 44 downwards with the form of funnel, and here beverage is discharged in reservoir vessel such as the cup, and wherein bubble has formed required spumescence outward appearance.

Advantageously, inner component 3, exterior part 2, ply wood 5 and filter 4 all can easily carry out disinfection, and this is because these parts are discerptible, and does not all comprise zigzag channel or narrow gap individually.On the contrary, only the sterilization after after these parts combine together, just can form necessity path.This is even more important under the situation of beverage ingredient for milk base product such as liquid milk enrichedmaterial therein.

The 4th embodiment of beverage storage box can be particularly advantageous for distributing concentrated milk-based fluid product, for example liquid milk.Before, powdered dairy formula provides with the form that becomes bag, is used for adding to preprepared beverage.Yet, for the beverage of the neat promise style of Kapp, milk is bubbled.This realized through liquid milk product by making steam in the past.Yet this just must provide the steam supply source, thereby has increased the cost and the complexity of the machine that is used to distribute beverage.Use steam also to increase in the injured danger of operating period of storing up box.Therefore, the invention provides the beverage storage box that has concentrated milk-based fluid product therein.Have been found that for the milk of designated volume, concentrate, can produce the more foam of suckling than new fresh milk or UHT by making dairy products.This has reduced the required size of milk storage box.Half fresh defatted milk contains have an appointment 1.6% fat and 10% total solid.Concentrated liquid dairy products of the present invention contains fat between 0.1 and 12% and 25 to 40% total solid.In a typical case, goods contain 4% fat and 30% total solid.This enriched milk prods is suitable for adopting the low pressure draft machine as described below processing of bubbling.Particularly, the foaming of milk realizes under the pressure under 2 Palestine and Israels, is preferably about 1.5 crust when adopting the storage box of above-mentioned the 4th embodiment.

Concentrated milk's foaming is particularly advantageous for the beverage of neat promise of for example Kapp and milk shake.Milk is through via hole 128 and cross air intlet 71 and the best of bowl 100 uses the foaming level preferably can make milk greater than 40%, is preferably greater than 70%.For liquid chocolate, can realize foaming level greater than 70%.For liquid coffee, can realize foaming level greater than 70%.The foamability level is recently measured with foam volume that is produced and the liquid beverage ingredients volume that is distributed.For example, when the beverage that distributes 138.3 milliliters, if wherein 58.3 milliliters are foam, then foamability just is calculated as [58.3/ (138.3-58.3)] * 100=72.9%.The foamability of milk (with other liquid component) can be strengthened by bowl 100 is set, shown in Figure 35 b.(line is a) greater than the foamability (line b) of the milk that does not utilize bowl 100 to distribute to utilize the foamability of the milk that bowl 100 distributes.This is because of the foamability of milk and the concentration positive correlation of milk, and shown in Figure 35 a, bowl 100 makes to suckle in the operation cycle of big part and keeps higher concentration.Know that also the temperature positive correlation of the foamability of milk and aqueous medium is shown in Figure 35 c.Therefore, bowl 100 is favourable, because more milk remains in the storage box, up to finishing near operation cycle, this moment, aqueous medium was the warmmest.This has strengthened foamability again.

The storage box of the 4th embodiment also can be advantageously used in the dispense liquid coffee product.

Have been found that with the storage box of prior art and compare, the embodiment of beverage of the present invention storage box advantageously provided distribute the enhancing conformability of beverage.See table 1, wherein shown contain that roasting is fried and 20 duplicate samples separately of the storage box A of ground coffee and B brew output capacity.Storage box A is the beverage storage box according to first embodiment of the invention.Storage box B is the beverage storage box of the prior art described in the applicant's document WO 01/58786.The ratio of refraction of soaking beverage is that unit records with Brix, and adopts master mete and formula to convert soluble solids percentum (%SS) to.In following example:

%SS=0.7774 * (Brix value)+0.0569

% output capacity=(%SS * brew volume (g))/(100 * coffee weight (g))

Table 1

Storage box A

Storage box B

Above data are carried out the analysis of t inspection statistics, draw following result:

Table 2

The t check: two samples, adopt mean square error

The analysis showed that the present invention stores up the storage box (under 95% confidence level) that conformability that being converted into of box brew the % output capacity of concentration significantly is better than prior art, and compare that its standard deviation is 0.88% with 2.24% standard deviation of prior art storage box.This means that the beverage that utilizes storage box of the present invention to be distributed has more repeatability and has more uniform concentration.This is for liking its beverage to have equal flavour repeatedly and not wishing that drinking for the customer who occurs random variation on the concentration be preferred.

Although by the agency of the storage box of first and second patterns assemble by welding operation, yet according to the present invention, they can assemble by fastener matching structure equally.For example, exterior part 2 can be provided with the periphery of annular frame 41 and match to form the configuration of bayonet fitting.

The material of above-mentioned storage box can be provided with barrier coatings, to improve its resistivity to oxygen and/or moisture and/or other containment ingression.Barrier coatings also can strengthen the resistivity that prevents that beverage ingredient from spilling in the box from storage, but and/or the degree that leaches from storage box material of reduction meeting extractive that beverage ingredient is had a negative impact.The material of barrier coatings can be selected from PET, polyamide, EVOH, PVDC or metallization material.Barrier coatings can apply by many kinds of mechanism, includes but not limited to paste in the vapor deposition, vacuum moulding machine, plasma coating, co-extrusion, mould be coated with and two-stage/multistage molded.

Claims

1. one kind is stored up box (1), it contains one or more beverage ingredients (200) and is formed with material impervious to water by airtight basically, described storage box comprises the import (121) that is used for aqueous medium is incorporated into described storage box, and be used for the outlet (122) of discharging for the beverage of producing by described one or more beverage ingredients, wherein said storage box comprises exterior part (2) and the inner component (3) that combines with described exterior part when assembling, it is characterized in that, described inner component comprises spout (43), and it defines the outlet of described storage box.

2. storage box according to claim 1 (1) is characterized in that, described spout (43) forms as one with described inner component (3).

3. storage box according to claim 1 and 2 (1) is characterized in that, described spout (43) comprises tapering part (48; 92).

4. storage box according to claim 1 and 2 (1) is characterized in that, described spout (43) comprises cylindrical part (58; 93).

5. storage box according to claim 1 and 2 (1) is characterized in that, described spout (43) comprises separator (65), and it extends along the length of described spout at least in part.

6. storage box according to claim 1 and 2 (1) is characterized in that, the fastener matching structure that described exterior part and inner component can be combined is provided.

7. storage box according to claim 6 (1) is characterized in that, described fastener matching structure comprises the configuration that matches (19,91) that is positioned on described inner component and the exterior part.

8. storage box according to claim 6 (1), it is characterized in that described exterior part (2) comprises osed top first end (11) and second end (12) that opens wide, wherein, when described inner component combined with described exterior part, the outlet of described spout (44) was towards the described second unlimited end.

9. storage box according to claim 8 (1) is characterized in that, described import (121) is towards second end that opens wide of described exterior part.

10. storage box according to claim 8 (1) is characterized in that, described exterior part and inner component sealing first end (11) of described exterior part locate or its near combine.

11. storage box according to claim 6 (1) is characterized in that, described exterior part comprise inwardly towards extendible portion (18), it is contained in the cardinal extremity of described spout when described exterior part and described inner component combine.

12. storage box according to claim 6 (1) is characterized in that, described inner component (3) comprises framework (41), and it has the filter of establishing thereon (4).

13. storage box according to claim 12 (1) is characterized in that, when described exterior part and described inner component combine, defines one or more passages (57) between sealing first end (11) of described framework (41) and described exterior part.

14. storage box according to claim 13 (1) is characterized in that, described one or more passages (57) are limited by disc (54), and described disc (54) extends upwardly to sealing first end of described exterior part from described framework.

15., it is characterized in that described one or more passages (57) are downward-sloping towards described spout (43) according to claim 13 or 14 described storage boxes (1).

16. storage box according to claim 6 (1) is characterized in that, described inner component (3) also comprises the sleeve (80) round described spout.

17. storage box according to claim 16 (1) is characterized in that, described sleeve (80) comprises extendible portion (81), and it contacts with sealing first end (11) of described storage box when the described storage box of assembling.

18. storage box according to claim 17 (1), it is characterized in that, the described upper rim (91) of going up extendible portion (81) engages with the configuration that matches of described exterior part, so that be formed for described inner component is combined in fastener matching structure on the described exterior part.

19. storage box according to claim 18 (1) is characterized in that, the matching of described exterior part inwardly be configured as towards extendible portion (18).

20. storage box according to claim 1 and 2 (1) is characterized in that, described storage box is a dish type.

21. storage box according to claim 1 and 2 (1) is characterized in that, described storage box (1) also comprises the device that is used to produce beverage jet, and described device comprises the hole (70) in the beverage flow paths that is between described import (121) and the outlet (122).

22. storage box according to claim 1 and 2 (1) is characterized in that, described import (121) and/or outlet (122) in use are formation import and/or the outlet airtight basically and material impervious to water covering of quilt before in the described storage box.

23. storage box according to claim 1 and 2 (1) is characterized in that, described import (121) and/or outlet (122) are by airtight and fluid-tight ply wood (5) covering basically.

24. storage box according to claim 23 (1) is characterized in that, described ply wood

Be polypropylene.

25. storage box according to claim 1 and 2 (1) is characterized in that described exterior part and/or inner component are formed by polypropylene.

26. storage box according to claim 1 and 2 (1) is characterized in that described exterior part and/or inner component are formed by Biodegradable polymeric.

27. storage box according to claim 1 and 2 (1) is characterized in that described exterior part and/or inner component form by injection mo(u)lding.

28. storage box according to claim 1 and 2 (1) is characterized in that described inner component has formed load member.

29. many storage boxes (1), each stores up box for according to each described storage box in the aforesaid right requirement, wherein, is consistent by the output percentage that is included in the formed beverage of one or more beverage ingredients in the described storage box in 1.0 standard deviation.