WO2019101600A1

WO2019101600A1 - Apparatus for preparing a beverage

Info

Publication number: WO2019101600A1
Application number: PCT/EP2018/081247
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mathilde Virginie Estelle BLONDEL; Matthieu Jean Daniel BRIERE
Original assignee: Unilever Plc; Unilever N.V.; Conopco, Inc., D/B/A Unilever
Priority date: 2017-11-22
Filing date: 2018-11-14
Publication date: 2019-05-31

Abstract

An apparatus for preparing a beverage from a capsule, the capsule comprising particulate beverage precursor material, the apparatus comprising: (1) a capsule reception location; (2) a beverage infusion chamber having a chamber inlet for receiving infusion liquid and a chamber outlet for delivering brewed beverage; (3) an infusion liquid flow path, connecting an infusion liquid supply to a chamber inlet of the infusion chamber; characterised in that: the capsule reception location is remote from the infusion liquid flow path, and a channel is provided that connects the capsule reception location to the beverage infusion chamber; there also being provided a device for cutting the capsule so as to induce an opening in the lowermost region of the capsule, thereby allowing the particulate beverage precursor material to exit the capsule along the channel and to the infusion chamber.

Description

APPARATUS FOR PREPARING A BEVERAGE

Technical Field The invention relates to an apparatus for preparing a beverage from a capsule comprising particulate beverage precursor material.

Background and Prior Art Many different designs of device for preparing and dispensing a prepared beverage, particularly a hot beverage, have been suggested. Some of these operate with the use of single-serve capsules, containing sufficient material to prepare a single beverage serving. In the majority of cases these capsules contain particulate beverage precursor infusion material which can produce a beverage when brought into contact with hot water, such as coffee, cocoa, tea.

In a common arrangement of apparatus, heated water is injected into the capsule so that infusion occurs within the capsule and a prepared beverage exits the capsule for dispensing to the user.

In another type of apparatus, contained particulate material leaves the capsule before preparing the beverage in a separate brewing chamber.

WO2015/068059 discloses a method of making Turkish coffee that involves depositing coffee grinds from a disposable capsule into a brew chamber, wherein the capsule comprises a slideable rupturing component. W02016/181290 discloses a method of making Turkish coffee that involves depositing coffee grinds from a disposable capsule into a brew chamber, wherein the capsule is made of two mutually rotating components. However, one problem with such arrangements is that the capsules are complex in their design and therefore expensive to manufacture.

It is also known to provide vending machines which are arranged to deliver the contents of a sachet into a cup positioned below. In some arrangements the sachets are sliced and their contents dispensed under gravity. The contents of the sachets are soluble and suitable for preparing an instant beverage. Examples of such

arrangements can be found in KR10-1167943, KR10-201 1-006932A and KR10-2004- 0105372.

However, vending machines are expensive to manufacture, bulky, and comprise a number of motorized and automated components.

It would be desirable to devise an apparatus for preparing a beverage from a capsule, wherein the capsule and the machine were simple in their construction and could therefore be used in the home.

Summary of Invention

The invention relates to an apparatus for preparing a beverage from a capsule, the capsule comprising particulate beverage precursor material, the apparatus comprising:

(1 ) a capsule reception location;

(2) a beverage infusion chamber having a chamber inlet for receiving infusion liquid and a chamber outlet for delivering brewed beverage;

(3) an infusion liquid flow path, connecting an infusion liquid supply to a

chamber inlet of the infusion chamber; characterised in that: the capsule reception location is remote from the infusion liquid flow path, and a channel is provided that connects the capsule reception location to the beverage infusion chamber; there also being provided a device for cutting the capsule so as to induce an opening in the lowermost region of the capsule, thereby allowing the particulate beverage precursor material to exit the capsule along the channel and to the infusion chamber. Thus, the apparatus is arranged to deliver the contents of the capsule to an infusion chamber by cutting the capsule and allowing the contained beverage precursor material to deposit into the infusion chamber. Additionally, following a brewing operation the capsule is substantially free of any contained particulate material and brewing liquid and is therefore in a more clean and convenient condition to be handled and recycled by the user.

The apparatus is therefore mechanically simplified as compared to prior art machines as it only needs to cut the capsule to deliver its contents. Additionally, as the capsule is intended merely to store the beverage particulate material and be penetrated by the apparatus, the capsule can also be of a simple design.

Typically the infusion liquid will be water, however other infusion liquids may be envisaged. Preferably the infusion liquid supply comprises a reservoir for supplying infusion liquid.

Preferably the capsule reception location is remote from any liquid flow path.

Preferably the infusion liquid flow path comprises a heater to heat infusion liquid, e.g. water, as it travels to the infusion chamber.

Preferably, the device for cutting the capsule is arranged to provide a vertical cut through all, or substantially all, of the capsule. This allows the formation of two capsule portions created by the cutting action. Preferably the two capsule portions are capsule halves, i.e. of substantially similar dimensions to each other.

The apparatus also preferably comprises a device for separating the two cut capsule portions. This allows the two cut capsule portions to be moved relative to each other to create an opening for the particulate beverage precursor material to be deposited into the infusion chamber under gravity.

The device for cutting the capsule may be actuated manually or by the use of one or more motors. However preferably the device for cutting the capsule is actuated by a handle means arranged to be actuated by a human hand. This simplifies the apparatus and gives the end user a feeling of control over the process of cutting the capsule and initiating the brewing process.

When the apparatus comprises a handle means to actuate the device for cutting the capsule it is preferred that the handle means also actuates the separation of the two capsule portions, e.g. halves, preferably actuating both the device for cutting the capsule and the separation step preferably in one single movement of the handle means.

Thus, one movement of the handle means can cut the capsule and separate the two capsule portions, e.g. halves, thus allowing the contained particulate beverage material to be deposited into the infusion chamber.

The apparatus is intended to be used in combination with a capsule specifically designed for the apparatus, located in the capsule reception location. The capsule is preferably comprised of a body part comprising a base and a surrounding wall which together define a cavity, the surrounding wall being connected to a flange, and a lid which is attached to the flange; the apparatus being arranged such that when the capsule is introduced into the apparatus, the capsule is positioned with the base positioned lowermost and the lid positioned uppermost.

Such a capsule can be made from quite thin polymeric material in its base and walls if desirable, as their purpose is merely to contain the particulate beverage material and for the base to be penetrated by the apparatus. Thus, the capsule can be made relatively simply and cheaply as compared to prior art capsules.

Preferably the body part of the capsule is a single impermeable piece. This simplifies the construction of the capsule further.

As discussed above, in a preferred arrangement the cutting means provides a vertical cut. When the apparatus is combined with a capsule as described above, it is preferred that the cut occurs through the body part, cutting the base and walls but leaving the lid and flange intact. This creates two capsule portions, e.g. halves which are nevertheless attached to each other via the intact lid and flange. As discussed above, once a cut is formed in the capsule to produce the two capsule portions, some movement between the two portions is required to create the opening for the particulate beverage material to exit the capsule. In the embodiment wherein the base and walls are cut but the lid and flange are left intact, this movement is preferably a hinging action, so that the two halves hinge about a bend in the flange and the lid so that they pivot away from each other and expose a gap at the lowermost point, through which the particulate beverage material can fall under gravity.

The apparatus is primarily intended for use in the home of a user and so it is preferable if the machine is automated to produce a beverage quickly and conveniently. Thus, in a preferred embodiment the apparatus comprises a heater to heat the water from the reservoir as it travels to the infusion chamber.

The apparatus is preferably arranged so that it can dispense the formed beverage into a receptacle, such as a cup, once the beverage has been formed in the infusion chamber. Thus the beverage infusion chamber preferably comprises a filtered outlet for dispensing the prepared beverage.

As discussed above, the apparatus is primarily intended for delivery of a single portion of beverage. As such each capsule generally contains sufficient particulate material for form a single portion of beverage. Thus the internal volume of the capsule is preferably from 10 to 24 cm³.

Thus preferably the volume of infusion liquid, e.g. water, delivered to the infusion chamber in a single infusion is from 150 to 300 ml.

The particulate beverage precursor material may be any infusible or soluble material for preparing a beverage such as dried plant material such as tea particles, coffee particles, cocoa, milk powder and the like. However preferably the beverage precursor material is not completely soluble and is an extractable or infusible product comprising insoluble and soluble components. Preferably the beverage precursor material comprises dried plant material, preferably tea particles. The beverage precursor material preferably has a size (i.e. longest diameter) of from 2 to 10mm, preferably from 3 to 7mm. In particular, at least 75%, preferably at least 90% by weight of the beverage precursor material have a size of from 2 to 10mm, preferably from 3 to 7mm.

The invention will now be illustrated with reference to the following figures, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a capsule loading unit of an apparatus according to the present invention in a first configuration.

Figure 2 is a side sectional view through the apparatus shown in figure 1.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a capsule loading unit shown in figure 1 in a second configuration.

Figure 4 is a side sectional view through the apparatus shown in figure 3.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a capsule loading unit shown in figure 1 in a third configuration.

Turning to the figures, figures 1 and 2 show a capsule loading unit 10 for use in a beverage preparation device. The unit 10 comprises a main frame 12 in which is slidably mounted a drawer 14 which provides for a capsule reception location 18. Attached to the main frame 12 is a handle means 20 via hinge 22.

Also mounted on the main frame 12 is a blade 28, a pair of support wings 30, 32 and a pair of lifting arms 34, the action of which will be described below.

The handle means 20 is also moveably attached to a first linking arm 24 which is in turn hingedly attached to second linking arm 26. Second linking arm 26 is hingedly attached to drawer 14.

In the arrangement shown in figure 1 the drawer is in its fully extended position and a user has placed a capsule 16 in the capsule reception location 18. The capsule comprises a single unitary body piece providing the base and walls of the capsule 16. The uppermost surface of the capsule is comprised of a flange covered by a foil lid 35. The capsule comprises tea particulate material.

After placing the capsule 16 in the capsule reception location 18 the user presses down on the handle means 20 until the loading unit is in the position shown in figures 3 and 4.

As shown in figures 3 and 4, as the handle means 20 is pressed down first and second linkage arms 24, 26 move in response and act to retract the drawer 14 into the loading unit. As the drawer moves into the loading unit, the capsule is brought into contact with the blade 28. The positioning is such that the blade 28 is positioned centrally with respect to the capsule and just below the flange 35 and foil lid. As such the blade 28 cuts completely through the body piece of the capsule, forming two halves attached to each other via the flange and foil lid 32.

As the user continues to press down on the handle means 20 the loading unit 10 adopts the orientation shown in figure 5 and the drawer 14 adopts its fully retracted position as shown in figure 5 As it does so the drawer bears on a cam surface (not shown) which has the effect of lifting the lifting arms 34. One half 15 of the capsule 16 formed after the cutting operation described above can be seen. The flange 17 that remains intact after cutting can also be seen.

As the lifting arms 34 lift upwards they catch on the flange 35 and act to form a bend in the flange 35 so that two halves of the flange hinge relative to each other until the two flange halves push against the surface of the wings 30, 32.

As the two halves of the capsule are hinged in this way, an opening forms between them and the contained tea particulate material is tipped out of the capsule to descend into an infusion chamber (not shown) located below. Heated water can then be supplied from a water tank via a heater and introduced into the infusion chamber to prepare a tea beverage for dispensing therefrom.

Claims

1. An apparatus for preparing a beverage from a capsule, the capsule comprising particulate beverage precursor material, the apparatus comprising:

(1 ) a capsule reception location;

(3) an infusion liquid flow path, connecting an infusion liquid supply to a

chamber inlet of the infusion chamber; characterised in that: the capsule reception location is remote from the infusion liquid flow path, and a channel is provided that connects the capsule reception location to the beverage infusion chamber; there also being provided a device for cutting the capsule so as to induce an opening in the lowermost region of the capsule, thereby allowing the particulate beverage precursor material to exit the capsule along the channel and to the infusion chamber.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the device for cutting the capsule is arranged to provide a vertical cut through all, or substantially all, of the capsule, to provide two cut capsule portions.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the two capsule portions are two capsule halves.

4. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, which comprises a device for separating the two cut capsule portions.

5. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device for cutting the capsule is actuated by a handle means arranged to be actuated by a human hand.

6. An apparatus according to claim 4 and 5, wherein the handle means also

actuates the device for separating the two cut capsule portions, preferably in one single movement.

7. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in combination with a capsule located at the capsule reception location, the capsule comprised of a body part comprising a base and a surrounding wall which together define a cavity, the surrounding wall being connected to a flange, and a lid which is attached to the flange; the apparatus being arranged such that when the capsule is introduced into the apparatus, the capsule is positioned with the base positioned lowermost and the lid positioned uppermost.

8. An apparatus and capsule according to claim 7, wherein the body part is a single impermeable piece.

9. An apparatus according to claim 2 and claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the

arrangement is such that the cut occurs through the body part, cutting the base and walls but leaving the lid and flange intact.

10. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the two cut capsule portions are separated by the device by hinging the two halves relative to each other via a bend in the flange and lid acting as the hinge.