Abstract:
The present disclosure provides a base station for a liquid dispensing apparatus. The base station includes a driver and a container support having a dispensing device, which includes a liquid duct leading from the container to an outlet. The device further includes a connector connected to the driver and detachably connectable to the dispensing device. In an embodiment, the container support is a holder, and the connector is movable towards the holder to connect to the dispensing device and away from the holder after disconnecting from the dispensing device.

Description:
The present invention relates to a device and system for dispensing a liquid. More particularly, the invention relates to the preparation and delivery of drinks, or other liquid food products, by metering a food liquid and optionally mixing this food liquid with a diluent. The invention finds an application in the delivery of drinks, with or without froth, hot or cold, from a liquid concentrate and water, hygienically, easily and quickly, even when the volumes delivered are large. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In conventional drinks dispensers, the drinks are reconstituted from a liquid concentrate or powder contained in reservoirs. The liquid concentrate or the powder is metered then mixed with a diluent, generally hot or cold water, inside the dispenser, passing through pipes, pumps and mixing bowls. Mixing is generally performed by a mechanical stirrer contained within a chamber. The conventional preparation of these drinks therefore requires a great deal of maintenance and cleaning in order to keep those parts that are in contact with the food product constantly clean and avoid the risks of contamination and bacterial growth. The machines also represent a significant investment on the part of the operators. Finally, these machines lack versatility in terms of the choice of drinks delivered, even though the current trend is to extend the choice of hot, cold, frothy or non-frothy drinks. 
     WO-A-2006/005401 describes a device for metering a base liquid and mixing this base liquid with a diluent to prepare a food product, the device being able to be connected to a container containing the liquid, and the device comprising a liquid pump configured to meter a quantity of liquid through a liquid metering duct, a diluent inlet with a diluent duct, and a mixing chamber for mixing the liquid with the diluent, wherein: the diluent duct is positioned relatively to the liquid metering duct so that the diluent stream intersects the liquid stream before or at the mixing chamber. In a preferred configuration, the metering device is in the form of a cap which is connected to the container by appropriate connecting means, and the device has coupling means which allow coupling into a docking panel of a base station having drive means and complementary coupling means. The device of WO-A-2006/005401 provides an improved solution for metering then correctly mixing a liquid with a diluent. Through the inherent speed of the diluent and the meeting of the ducts the shearing of the fluids and the mixing of the fluids in the mixing chamber are improved. 
     Although the device of WO-A-2006/005401 enables a compact drinks dispensing system which is simpler to keep hygienic compared to previous systems, it requires movement of the cap device attached to the container, which can be heavy, towards the base station so that it can be manually plugged into the docking panel. Larger liquid containers can be used in a system which minimizes movement of the container. 
     SUMMARY 
     The invention concerns a base docking station for a liquid dispensing apparatus, comprising drive means, means for supporting a container having a dispensing device which comprises a liquid duct leading from the container to an outlet and a liquid pump for effecting passage of liquid through the duct, and coupling means connected to drive means and detachably connectable to the dispensing device to actuate the liquid pump for effecting passage of liquid through duct, wherein the base docking station means for supporting the container having a dispensing device is a holder and wherein the coupling means are movable towards the holder to connect to dispensing device and away from the holder after disconnecting from dispensing device. 
     The coupling means of the base station can for example be supported by a drawer drivable by motorized or manual drive means which are able to move said drawer towards and away from the fixed holder. The drawer may be arranged to move between guide rails. The coupling means for the dispensing device are mounted on an extensible drive shaft connected to an electric motor, for example having a telescopic construction for driving a pump of the dispensing device in rotation. The drive shaft, passes through the drawer, but is not in a driving relationship with the drawer. The drawer can be joined to the motorized or manual drive means by a joint mechanism to allow movement towards and away from the pump drive means, for example a knee joint mechanism. Such a joint mechanism can comprise a drive shaft, driven by the drive means, perpendicular to the direction of movement of the drawer. The drawer can alternatively be driven by a piston connected to the drive means. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the dispensing device acts as a device for metering the liquid dispensed. Such a device may comprise a liquid pump which measures aliquots of liquid and acts as the means for effecting passage of liquid through the liquid duct. The pump may be any pump capable of transporting a liquid in a wide range of viscosities, particularly between 1 and 5000 centipoise. It may be a gear pump, a peristaltic pump or, alternatively, a piston pump. 
     The dispensing device is intended to be controlled by means of the base station of the invention. Coupling means are provided and configured in such a way as to connect the dispensing device to the base station, which provides the drive means for actuating the liquid pump. Dissociating the dispensing device from the function of driving the pump has the advantage that the dispensing device can be interchanged as often as necessary, for example it may be replaced by a new device which is assembled with a new container. Such replacement makes it possible to avoid, or at the very least considerably reduce, the need for maintenance and cleaning of the metering and mixing device. That also allows greater flexibility in the operation of a drinks dispensing machine, by interchanging the dispensing devices while at the same time keeping a common base station. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the pump is a pump of the gear type. Such a pump comprises a chamber in which a series of rotary elements which collaborate in the manner of gearing is housed. The pump comprises an inlet passage for letting the liquid into the pump chamber and a liquid outlet passage connecting the pump chamber to the liquid metering duct, the liquid inlet and outlet passages being more or less in alignment with the gearing formed by the series of rotary elements. A gear pump in the context of the invention provides a more uniform flow of metered liquid, better precision on the amount of liquid metered and a more compact construction involving a relatively limited number of moving parts. The rotary elements are thus preferably two in number, although the number of pairs of elements is not a limitation in itself. For preference, a first rotary element is extended by a coupling means intended to be connected to a complementary coupling means associated with drive means belonging to the base station. As is known per se, the rotary element comprising the coupling means is usually termed the “master” element while the other rotary element is usually termed the “slave” element. 
     The dispensing device is preferably capable of mixing the liquid from the container with a diluent to provide a food or drink product. The dispensing device preferably comprises a diluent inlet with a diluent duct, and a mixing chamber for mixing the liquid with the diluent as described in WO-A-2006/005401. The diluent duct is positioned relatively to the liquid metering duct so that the diluent stream intersects the liquid stream before or at the mixing chamber. 
     In one possible mode, a non-return valve is positioned in the liquid duct to prevent any potential dripping from the pump at the intersection and in the mixing chamber. Indeed, although a gear pump provides a seal function, it is not possible to assure a total liquid tightness with the pump only during the rest period of the device, especially, when low viscosity concentrates are used. 
     As one of the objects of the invention is to limit any possible interaction between the product and part of the machine, the dispensing device comprises its own outlet duct for delivering the flow of food liquid, optionally diluted and mixed, directly downstream of the mixing chamber into a receptacle. A receptacle is to be understood as meaning, for example, a glass, a bowl or a mug or any other receptacle to serve to the consumer. 
     In a preferred configuration, the dispensing device of the invention is in the form of a cap which is connected to the container by appropriate connecting means. In particular, the dispensing device can comprise two half-shells assembled along a parting line passing through the pump and the outlet duct. The construction in the form of a cap with two half-shells offers the advantage of requiring fewer assembly-parts and also of being more compact by comparison with the known constructions that usually incorporate pumping and mixing means. 
     The dispensing device, in this configuration as two half-shells is preferably made of plastic, such as an injected or moulded plastic. The device may thus be used for a limited number of dispensing, metering and mixing operations then disposed of or recycled. 
     The container together with the dispensing device forms a package that may be disposable or recyclable. The container may be a non-collapsible or a collapsible member. It may be, for instance, a bottle, a brick, a pouch, a sachet or the like. It may be made of plastic, cardboard, paper, aluminum or a mixture and/or laminate of these materials. The container and the device may be connected by permanent or detachable means. Permanent means may be designed to be sealing, welding, bonding, non-reversible clipping means, etc means. Detachable means may mean an assembly formed of a threaded portion or equivalent complementary mechanical engagement means on the cap forming the metering device which collaborates with a threaded portion or complementary mechanical engagement means belonging to the container. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the device includes a cutter for piercing a tamper resistant foil positioned across the outlet of the container and that means for actuating the cutter are operable from outside the device so that when the device is connected to the base station perforation can be effected by drive means which form part of the base station. The device can be assembled on the container of liquid without breaking the tamper resistant foil protecting the liquid. The foil need not be breached until the container and dispensing device, now firmly connected to each other, are connected to the base station. 
     The cutter can for example comprise a blade and the actuating means can comprise a push pin urging the blade through the foil. It may be preferred that the blade and actuating means are non-retractable so that when the blade has perforated the foil it remains protruding through the foil. To avoid the possibility of cross-contamination of liquids, it may be preferred that the dispensing device, once attached as a cap to the container, remains on the same container until it is discarded when the container is empty. If the cap is connected to the container by screw thread, a ratchet system between the container neck and the cap thread may inhibit the removal of the cap from the container. 
     When piercing the foil, it is preferred to have a tear line which is as short as possible to avoid any problem from loose foil becoming detached and contaminating the liquid dispensed or blocking the liquid duct. However, it is also preferred that the cutter has a shape allowing maximum throughput of liquid. We have found that these conflicting objectives can best be achieved by a blade having a V-shaped cutting edge so as to form a V-shaped perforation in the foil. The cutter blade can for example be substantially planar with a peak portion including the V-shaped cutting edge being raised upwards from the flat portion of the blade. To maximize throughput of liquid and to allow air to enter the liquid container, the cutter blade may have an aperture or cutaway portion behind the cutting edge. For example, the rear portion of the blade may have a V-shaped cutaway portion substantially parallel to the V-shaped cutting edge. 
     In a preferred form of device, the cutter is mounted to rotate about an axis and comprises a lever portion integral with the blade and on the other side of the axis from the cutting edge so that the actuating means, for example a push pin, can act against the lever portion of the blade by a lever mechanism to urge the cutting edge of the blade through the foil. The cutter is preferably made of hard plastics material, although metal is an alternative. 
     The liquid duct leads, optionally via a mixing chamber, from the container to an outlet which may for example be in the form of a dispensing nozzle. The dispensing device preferably comprises an outer cover closing the outlet of the liquid duct. The cover is arranged to be openable so that the outlet is opened when the device is connected to the base station, and reclosable so that the outer cover can close the outlet when the dispensing device is disconnected from the base station. In use, the container with the dispensing device attached to it, can be changed for dispensing different flavours. The outer cover protects the dispensing nozzle or other outlet of the device from dirt, insects etc. when the device is not in use in the machine. 
     The outer cover is preferably arranged so that when the cover is opened to open the liquid outlet, the cover remains attached to the device. The cover can for example comprise a fixed portion and a movable portion joined by a hinge. The fixed portion is attached to the device. The movable portion is movable between a position which closes the outlet and a position which opens the outlet. 
     If the dispensing device comprises two half-shells assembled along a parting line, the fixed portion of the cover is preferably attached to one of the half-shells. The half-shells may be arranged so that they define, along their parting line, the liquid outlet duct. The fixed portion of the cover can for example have hooks which fit in holes in the shell of the dispensing device, specifically in holes in one half-shell of the device. Alternatively the device can have hooks which fit in holes in the fixed portion of the outer cover. In another alternative, the fixed portion of the outer cover can advantageously be welded to one shell of the dispensing device. The outer cover is preferably made of hard plastics material, and conveniently is injection molded from the same plastics material as is used to mould the half-shells of the dispensing device. The hinge between the fixed and movable portions of the cover can be a linear section of plastics material thinner than the fixed portion and movable portion. 
     The fixed portion of the outer cover can in one embodiment comprise a body portion attached to the dispensing device at the upper end nearer the liquid container and remote from the liquid outlet, and side portions positioned below the hinge and to either side of the movable portion. In this embodiment the hinge extends only part way across the cover, and the side portions of the fixed part of the cover are separated by vertically extending slits from a central portion of the movable part of the cover adjacent the hinge. This central portion of the movable part of the cover can be attached to side pieces arranged below the side portions of the fixed part of the cover. The side pieces of the movable portion of the cover can thereby be adapted to be engaged by opening means operated by drive means of the base station, so that the cover can be opened by the base station when it is correctly positioned in the base station. 
     The movable portion of the outer cover can be a snap fit on the lower portion of the dispensing device in a position which closes the liquid outlet. The movable portion of the cover may have a raised section on its inner surface which forms a support on which the edge of the dispensing nozzle or other liquid outlet duct can rest when the outer cover is closed. 
     In an advantageous variant, the fixed portion and movable portion of the outer cover can be attached by a tamper evident seal before the dispensing device has been used. Such a seal, which can be a breakable bridge of material arranged between the movable portion of the outer cover and the fixed portion of the outer cover is adapted to be broken when the device is connected to the base station. 
     In another variant, a transportation cap fitted onto the dispensing device on top of the outer cover can also be provided. The transportation cap is preferably sealed, for example via a tamper evident neck bander or the like, onto the dispensing device in order to provide visible evidence of seal disruption before the first use. The transportation cap improves, handling, and stackability of containers fitted with the dispensing device. The transportation cap also further improves the protection of the dispensing device from dirt, insects etc. when the container fitted with the dispensing device has been removed temporarily from the machine while not being empty. 
     The base station of the invention usually comprises diluent supply means and may contain means for actuating the cutter of the dispensing device. The base station also comprises diluent coupling means and control means for controlling the supply of diluent. The diluent coupling means and the means for actuating the cutter can be carried by the drawer in the same manner as the means for coupling the drive to the pump. 
     More precisely, the diluent supply means comprise a water supply duct connected to a water pump and to a system for controlling the temperature of the water. The temperature control system may be a heating system such as a thermobloc, a heater cartridge, a boiler or any other equivalent means. The control system may also be a refrigeration system able to produce refrigerated drinks or desserts. The drive means may comprise an electric motor and a drive shaft connected to the complementary coupling means to link with the coupling means of the liquid pump. The coupling means may be formed of a mechanical push-together connection of the male-female type, a magnetized mechanism, a screw-fastening system or bayonet system, or any other equivalent means. 
     The dispensing device fits in a simple and quick way in docking means of the base station. For that, the coupling means of the dispensing device preferably lie on the same side so as to allow the coupling to be readily connected to the docking means of the base station itself comprising complementary coupling means. The dispensing device can be manually plugged into such a docking means. The user can easily perform the docking operation by hand in a simple movement by taking hold of the mixing and metering device, on which the container is preferably mounted, and fitting it in a holder of the docking means of the base station via the dispensing device. More specifically, the coupling means also comprise guide means for translational guidance, in at least one direction that encourages plugging-in or docking, of the metering device with complementary guide means on the docking means of the base station when the dispensing device is fitted in the holder, for example the base station may have a protruding pin designed to fit into a socket in the dispensing device. Such a protruding pin can be carried by the drawer in the same manner as the means for coupling the drive to the pump Means for securing the metering device in the docked position may be provided. The interface area may be protected by protective means such as a cover or the like, but this is not indispensable. By contrast, part of this area may be left visible to allow better interactivity with the user and thus make interchanging the packages easier. 
     The holder for the dispensing device which is positioned on the base station at a fixed distance from the drive means has one or more apertures for the pump coupling means of the base station and for the diluent supply coupling means. The holder may have separate apertures for the pump coupling means and for the diluent supply coupling means. Alternatively the holder can be formed with an opening large enough to accommodate the coupling means, the diluent supply control means, and an air supply control means if present. 
     A base station for use with a dispensing device having an outer cover closing the outlet of its liquid duct generally has opening means which engage with the cover or an openable flap thereof. The opening means can be arranged merely to dislodge the cover from its closed position after which it can be moved manually, but are preferably movable by the drive means of the base station advantageously the drawer drive means to open the cover, thus opening the liquid outlet as the coupling means of the base station are connected to the dispensing device. A base station for use with a dispensing device having an outer cover preferably also has a closure member to urge the outer cover against the dispensing device to close the liquid outlet after dispensing has taken place and before the dispensing device and container are removed from the holder of the base station. The closure member is preferably movable by drive means of the base station, advantageously the drawer drive means. The opening and closing means are preferably mounted to move with the drawer of the base station. The opening means can for example be one or more protrusions carried by the drawer and adapted to engage the side pieces of the movable portion of the cover, so that when the drawer is moved towards the dispensing device the protrusions open the cover. The closure member can be a stirrup carried by the drawer and positioned so that the bottom of the cover of the dispensing device is restrained between the protrusions and the stirrup, so that when the drawer is moved away from the dispensing device the stirrup pulls the flap of the cover shut. 
     The dispensing device may also comprise a code that can be read by a reader associated with the base station. The code comprises information referring to the identity and/or the nature of the product and/or to parameters concerned with the activation of the diluent supply and/or liquid pump drive means. The code may, for example, be used to manage the flow rate of the liquid pump and/or of the diluent pump, contained in the base station, so as to control the liquid:diluent ratio. Other uses of the code are possible, such as checking the authenticity of the product contained in the container or alternatively adjusting the means to alter the temperature of the diluent. 
     The base station comprises a controller associated with the control means and programmed to control and coordinate the activation of the liquid pump drive means and the activation of the diluent supply means. When the metering and mixing device or the packaging comprises a code, the controller is associated with a reader capable of reading this code and processing the information read. 
     The dispensing device can adopt the form of a cap associated with the container as a closure. More specifically, the cap can comprise two half-shells assembled with one another along a substantially longitudinal parting line and configured to delimit at least the contours of the chamber of the pump and the mixing chamber. In other words, the two parts are assembled longitudinally along a parting line running in the direction in which the fluids are transported, in particular in the direction in which the liquid and the mixture consisting of the liquid and the diluent are transported. 
     One half-shell of the cap device can comprise a recess which accommodates the cutter blade in a position in which it does not pierce the tamper resistant foil, with the other half-shell comprising the means for actuating the cutter, for example a push pin. The recess can be formed with opposed laterally extending cylindrical recesses capable of forming a bearing surface. A flat portion of the cutter blade can be formed with outwardly projecting journals fitting into the bearing surface, the journals thereby defining an axis about which the cutter blade can rotate so that the cutter can work by a lever mechanism in which the push pin acts on a lever portion of the cutter on the other side of the axis from the cutting edge of the blade. 
     The liquid duct of the dispensing device is positioned to intersect the diluent duct before the mixing chamber. The metering and mixing form of the dispensing device preferably comprises, to complement the liquid metering pump, a means for increasing the speed at which the diluent arrives at the point where the streams meet. Such a means is preferably a restriction in communication with the diluent intake situated upstream of the mixing chamber so that the flow of diluent is accelerated through the restriction. 
     The means for accelerating the speed of the diluent can comprise a venturi means in the form of at least one restriction situated at the diluent duct before or where the streams meet. 
     Thus, the restriction makes it possible to accelerate the flow of diluent when it meets the liquid, and therefore makes it possible advantageously to lower the pressure. Such a principle is simple to implement because it does not involve any moving parts. The diluent meets the metering liquid at a relatively high speed, producing shear effects and also preventing the diluent from rising back up inside the liquid metering duct. The speed of the fluid then drops in the mixing chamber which, of larger cross section, encourages the creation of a homogeneous liquid-diluent mixture inside the chamber. 
     The diluent duct is preferably directed toward the outlet of the liquid metering duct or slightly below it to ensure that the diluent and liquid streams collide relatively one another. In a possible mode the diluent and liquid metering ducts are directly positioned in intersection. In alternative modes, the two ducts are positioned to terminate each one separately in an enlarged mixing chamber but still in intersection of their streams. 
     As a preference, the diluent duct comprises at least one terminal portion which, with the restriction and the inlet to the mixing chamber, forms an alignment. The liquid duct at the pump outlet for the passage of the liquid is transversal to the said alignment. This configuration affords a particularly effective venturi effect in which the diluent is displaced more or less linearly to create a sufficiently great pressure reduction. The pressure reduction is also capable of drawing the liquid through the duct at the pump outlet when the pump is switched off without the diluent rising back up inside the said liquid duct. The term “alignment” is to be understood as meaning that there are no elbows or sharp bends likely to break or significantly slow the flow of diluent through the restriction. 
     According to one possible aspect, the dispensing device is configured in such a way as to be able to produce a frothy preparation. The device can comprise an air intake communicating with at least one of the ducts before the mixing chamber, or in the mixing chamber itself, to carry air into the mixture and cause the preparation to froth. As a preference, the air intake is positioned in communication with the restriction in order to benefit from the suction created and carry in air and froth at least some of the diluted liquid, for example a drink, in the mixing chamber. The air intake is thus sized in such a way as to carry the required quantity of air into the mixing chamber. The air may also be used at the end of the delivery operation to clean the chamber and expel therefrom at the very end of the delivery cycle any amount of drink and/or froth and/or diluent that may still remain in the chamber. 
     In one mode, the air intake is positioned relatively to the diluent duct and the liquid metering duct for the air to be sucked in the diluent stream before the diluent stream intersects or collides with the liquid stream. For instance, the air intake can be placed in intersection of the diluent duct before the point of collision between the diluent stream and the liquid stream. In this arrangement, air bubbles are sucked in the diluent stream before the diluent mixes with the liquid. The point of collision between the aerated diluent and liquid may be placed in the mixing chamber or before the mixing chamber, i.e., at the intersection of diluent and liquid ducts. This arrangement solves a problem of contamination of the air intake. Due to velocity and the pressure difference created, the diluent does not enter the air channel and therefore the air channel cannot be cleaned by a flush cycle of the diluent. As a result, this can cause a problem of bacteria growth. By having the air intake at the diluent level only, one ensures that product such as diluted liquid concentrate does not contaminate the air conduit. 
     Frothing of the product dispensed, a drink for example, may be obtained when the suction means additionally comprise an air intake allowing air to be carried in to the mixture and to froth the liquid-diluent mixture in the mixing chamber. An air intake may, however, be omitted or be selectively closed off when the preparation does not need to be frothed. The cross section of the air intake can vary according to the nature of the food liquid contained in the package. Thus, the cross section of the air duct may vary between 0.05 and 2 mm.sup.2, preferably 0.1 and 0.5 mm.sup.2. The air intake can be selectively closed by air supply control means carried by the base station, for example carried by the drawer in the same manner as the means for coupling the drive to the pump. The air supply control means can for example comprise a pin carrying a rubber disc aligned with the air intake of the dispensing device. 
     The air supply means is operable by drive means which push the pin towards the dispensing device to close the air intake when required. The air control means may be connectable to its drive means through a lever mounted on the means for driving the drawer towards and away from holder, for example on the limb of the knee joint that is attached to the drawer. The air control means are thereby only operable when the drawer is in its position closest to the holder that is in the position where the coupling means of the base station are connected to the pump to effect passage of liquid through the dispensing device. Similarly the venting coupling means can also be connectable to its drive means through a lever mounted on the knee joint, so that venting is effected when the coupling means of the base station are connected to the pump of the dispensing device. 
     The dispensing device preferably has a venting valve having associated opening means for venting the liquid duct in particular when the container attached to the dispensing device is made of a rigid or semi rigid material. The opening means can for example be arranged to open the venting valve after passage of liquid through the duct. The opening means can for example comprise a piston, which can be operated by the means for driving the pump, in sequence after operation of the pump to dispense a measured amount of liquid. When the container attached to the dispensing device is made of a supple material of example of the pouch type, the venting means can be omitted. 
     The liquid that is dispensed may be a food concentrate intended to reconstitute a hot or cold, frothy or non-frothy drink. For example, the liquid is a concentrate based on coffee, cocoa, milk, tea, fruit juice or a combination of these components. The concentrate may be a liquid for producing a cafe latte for example, comprising a coffee concentrate and condensed milk or a creamer. The viscosity of the liquid may vary according to the nature of the concentrate. Typically, the viscosity is between 1 and 5000 cPoise, preferably 200 to 1000 cPoise, more preferably still between 300 and 600 cPoise. 
     The characteristics and advantages of the invention will be better understood in relation to the figures which follow. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1A  depicts an overall perspective view of the preparation system according to the invention comprising a multi-portion package fitted with the dispensing device of the invention in a position separate from the base station, 
         FIG. 1B  depicts a view similar to  FIG. 1B  with the dispensing device of the invention in a docked position on the base station 
         FIG. 2  depicts an exploded perspective view of a dispensing device according to the invention, showing the two half-shells of the device and the outer cover, viewed from the side having an outer cover, 
         FIG. 3  depicts an exploded perspective view of the dispensing device of  FIG. 2 , showing the two half-shells of the device and the outer cover, viewed from the opposite direction from  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  depicts an exploded perspective view of the cutter of the dispensing device of  FIG. 2  with the components of the half-shells disassembled; 
         FIG. 5  depicts a cross-sectional view of the assembled device of  FIG. 1  attached to a container, before the cutter has pierced the foil of the container; 
         FIG. 6  depicts a cross-sectional view of the device of  FIG. 2  attached to a container, after the cutter has pierced the foil of the container; 
         FIG. 7  depicts an internal view of the device of  FIG. 2  after the cutter has pierced the foil; 
         FIG. 8  is a part view of the device shown in  FIG. 7  from a different angle, showing the cutter in more detail; 
         FIG. 9  is a partial cross-section of the device of  FIG. 2  showing the air inlet in more detail; 
         FIG. 10  depicts a side perspective view of a base station with the cap holder, not shown to allow a view of the coupling means for an alternative dispensing system according to the invention; 
         FIG. 10A  depicts a detail of  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 10B  depicts of cross section of the drawer shown in  FIG. 10A  through the coupling means for the driving of the pump of the dispensing device; 
         FIG. 10C  depicts of cross section of the drawer shown in  FIG. 10A  through the means for activating the venting means of the dispensing device; 
         FIG. 10D  depicts of cross section of the drawer shown in  FIG. 10A  through the means for activating the foam/no foam activating means of the dispensing device; 
         FIG. 10E  depicts of cross section of the drawer shown in  FIG. 10A  through the diluent coupling means; 
         FIG. 11  is a front perspective view of the base station of  FIG. 10 , with the cap holder shown in position but with the front guard portion in a position which allows the removal of the cap holder; 
         FIG. 12  is a plan view of the base station of  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 13  depicts a side perspective view of the base station of  FIG. 10  with the front guard portion raised to allow coupling of a cap device with the coupling means of the base station; 
         FIG. 14  depicts a sectional view of the base station of  FIG. 10  with the drawer in a withdrawn position; 
         FIG. 14A  depicts a cross section through the knee joint of the drawer of the base station of  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 15  depicts a sectional view of the base station of  FIG. 14  with the drawer extended so that the coupling means penetrate the cap holder; 
         FIG. 16  depicts a sectional view of the base station of  FIG. 14  with the drawer fully extended so that the coupling means engage with the coupling means of the dispensing device; 
         FIG. 17  depicts a sectional view of the base station of  FIG. 14  following in sequence the position shown in  FIG. 16 , with the coupling means engaged with the coupling means of the dispensing device; 
         FIG. 18  depicts a sectional view of the base station of  FIG. 14  following in sequence the position shown in  FIG. 17 , with a lever operating the venting valve; 
         FIGS. 19 to 21  show perspective partial views from above of an alternative embodiment of the base station at various stages of the insertion of cap holder onto the base station; and 
         FIGS. 22 and 23  are similar views to  FIG. 19  showing alternative means to secure the cap holder in the base station 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The dispensing system for reconstituting and delivering food preparations according to the invention, in particular for preparing hot or cold drinks, shown in the Figures and particularly in  FIGS. 1A and 1B  comprises at least one functional package  2  formed of a metering and mixing device  3  and of a container  4  and, on the other hand, a base station  5  which serves to anchor the functional package  2  with a view to preparing and delivering the drinks through the metering and mixing device  3  into a cup C. The device  3  is connected to a container  4  which may be of any kind, such as a bottle, which generally does not contract when liquid is dispensed, or a brick, a sachet, or a pouch or the like which does contract when liquid is dispensed. The container contains a food liquid intended to be diluted with a diluent, generally hot, ambient-temperature or chilled, water, supplied to the metering device  3  via the base station  5 . The liquid may be a concentrate of coffee, milk, cocoa, fruit juice or a mixture such as a preparation based on coffee concentrate, an emulsifier, flavourings, sugar or artificial sweetener, preservatives and other components. The liquid may comprise a purely liquid phase with, possibly, solid or pasty inclusions such as grains of sugar, nuts, fruit or the like. The liquid is preferably designed to be stable at ambient temperature for several days, several weeks or even several months. The water activity of the concentrate is thus usually set to a value that allows it to keep at ambient temperature for the desired length of time. 
     The metering and mixing device  3  and the container  4  are preferably designed to be disposed of or recycled once the container has been emptied of its contents. The container is held in an inverted position, its opening facing downwards and its bottom facing upwards, so as to constantly supply the metering and mixing device  3 , particularly the liquid metering pump contained therein, with liquid under gravity. The container  4  and the device  3  are connected by connecting means which may be detachable or permanent as the case may be. It is, however, preferable to provide permanent-connection means in order to avoid excessively prolonged use of the metering and mixing device which, without cleaning after an excessively lengthy period of activity, could end up posing hygiene problems. A permanent connection therefore forces the replacement of the entire package  2  once the container has been emptied, or even before this if the device remains unused for too long and if a hygiene risk exists. However, the inside of the device  3  is also designed to be able to be cleaned and/or rinsed out with diluent, at high temperature for example regularly, for example during rinsing cycles that are programmed or manually activated and controlled from the base station  5 . 
       FIGS. 2 to 9  show the metering and mixing device  3  of the invention in detail according to a preferred embodiment. The device  3  is preferably in the form of a cap which closes the opening of the container  4  in a sealed manner when the container is in the inverted position with its opening facing downwards. The cap has a tubular connecting portion  30  equipped with connecting means such as an internal screw thread  31  complementing connecting means  40  belonging to the container, also of the screw thread type for example. The inverted position of the container is necessary only if the container is rigid and does not contract as it empties. If the opposite is true, such as in the case of a bag which contracts without air entering, the liquid can be dispensed and metered when the container is in a position which is not necessarily the inverted one. 
     The device  3  is preferably made up, amongst other things, of two half-shells  3 A,  3 B assembled with one another along a parting line P running more or less in the longitudinal direction of the ducts, particularly of the liquid duct and of the mixing chamber, circulating within the device. The construction in the form of two half-shells, namely a rear part  3 A and a frontal other part  3 B, makes it possible to simplify the device while at the same time defining the succession of ducts and chambers needed for metering, mixing, possibly frothing, and delivering the mixture. 
     The outlet  32  of the container  4  has a tamper resistant foil  41  positioned across it to seal the container. The foil  41  is held in position by welding or joining techniques, e.g. such as induction or conduction welding. The sealing ring  43  aids in the prevention of leakage when foil  41  has been pierced/cut. The device  3  comprises a cutter  101  for piercing the foil  41 . Means  103  for actuating the cutter  101  are operable from outside the device  3  so that when the device is connected to the base station  5  perforation can be affected by drive means  541  which form part of the base station. The device  3  can be assembled on the container  4  by screw threads  31 ,  31 A without breaking the foil  41 . The foil  41  need not be breached until the container  4  and dispensing device  3  have been connected to each other and are connected to the base station  5 . The cutter  101  can for example comprise a blade and the actuating means can comprise a push pin  103  urging the blade through the foil  41 . The push pin has coupling means capable of engaging with drive means  541  of the base station  5 . 
     However, in a variant (not shown) the cutter could also be actuated manually by a user to effect the perforation of the foil before the device is connected to the base station. In that case the push pin  103  could be arranged to protrude from the shell  3 A so as to be easily actuated manually to effect the perforation of the foil  41 . 
     The blade  101  has a V-shaped cutting edge  102  so as to form a V-shaped perforation in the foil  41 . The cutter blade has a substantially flat (planar) portion  108  with a peak portion  109  including the V-shaped cutting edge  102  being raised upwards from the flat portion of the blade ( FIG. 4 ). When the blade has perforated the foil it remains protruding through the foil. 
     The cutter  101  is mounted to rotate about an axis and comprises a lever portion  105  integral with the blade and on the other side of the axis from the cutting edge  102  so that the push pin  103  can act against the lever portion of the blade by a lever mechanism to urge the cutting edge of the blade through the foil  41 . One half-shell  3 B of the cap device is formed with a recess  110  which accommodates the cutter blade  101  in the position in which it does not pierce the foil  41 , The recess  110  is formed with opposed laterally extending recesses  113 ,  114 . capable of receiving each a bearing member  113 A,  114 A. The flat portion  108  of the cutter blade is formed with outwardly projecting journals  111 ,  112  inserted for example by snap fitting into the bearing members  113 A,  114 A. The journals thereby define an axis about which the cutter blade  101  can rotate. The cutter can be operated by a lever mechanism in which the push pin  103  acts on the lever portion  105  of the cutter on the other side of the axis from the cutting edge  102  of the blade. 
     The rear portion of the cutter blade  101  has a V-shaped cutaway portion  116  substantially parallel to the V-shaped cutting edge  102 . As seen in  FIGS. 4 and 8 , this cutaway portion  116  forms a clear inlet from the container  4  to the liquid duct  69 , allowing flow of liquid through duct  69 . 
     When the container is one that cannot contract, it may be necessary to provide an additional air inlet into the container in order to compensate for the withdrawal of the liquid. It is to be noted that during operation of the dispensing device, no air should come in unless desired, therefore push pin  103  is associated to a sealing ring  103 A rendering air and liquid tight. If desired, venting air can be provided as will be discussed hereinafter. In that respect, cutter blade  101  could be provided with passageways to foster the venting air going upwards in the container. These passage ways could take the form a holes, or grooves, the idea being to prevent the venting going into the pump when the venting is activated in order to avoid dispensing the wrong amount of concentrate which would result in the production of a drink of bad quality. 
     The metering and mixing device  3  comprises a built-in metering pump  6  for metering the liquid passing through the opening  32  ( FIG. 7 ). The pump is preferably a gear pump as described in WO-A-2006/005401 and is defined by a chamber  60  equipped with bearings present at the bottom of each lateral surface of the chamber and able to guide two rotary elements  65 ,  66  cooperating in a geared fashion in order to form the moving metering elements of the pump in the chamber. The rotary element  65  is a “master” element equipped with a shaft  650 , on which an optional sealing ring  65 A is mounted, associated with a coupling means  650 ,  650 A able to engage with a complementary coupling means belonging to the base station  5  (described later on). A lip seal is preferably incorporated between the bearing and the shaft  650  to seal the pump chamber with respect to the outside. The internal pressure when the pump is in motion helps with maintaining sealing by stressing the seal. The rotary element  66  is the “slave” element which is driven in the opposite direction of rotation by the master element in order to be able to meter the liquid through the chamber  60 . The construction in the form of half-shells is such that the chamber  60  is defined by the assembly of the two parts  3 A,  3 B. The chamber  60  may thus be defined as a hollow in the frontal part  3 B with a bottom surface defining one of the lateral surfaces. The other part encloses the chamber via a more or less flat surface portion, for example, comprising the bearing that supports the drive shaft  650 , which is extended backwards through a passage  78  through the shell part  3 B. 
     The liquid is thus metered through liquid outlet duct  69 . The diameter is of the order of 0.2 to 4 mm, preferably 0.5 to 2 mm. The duct  69  allows fine control over the flow rate of liquid leaving the pump and makes it possible to form a relatively narrow flow of liquid, thus encouraging fine metering. 
     A barrier valve  691  is positioned in the liquid duct  69  downstream from the pump  6 . The valve can be any sort of non-return valve such as a slit valve of the type shown in FIG. 14 of WO-A-2006/005401. The valve may comprise an elastomeric or silicone slit valve member or layer  691  maintained transversally in the liquid duct  69  by two rigid plies such as two metal plates. The valve  691  can be inserted through slots provided through the two half-shells  3 A,  3 B. The slit valve member is configured so that the slits open downwardly when a fluid pressure has built up upstream the valve as a result of the pump  6  being activated. As soon as the pump is stopped, the valve is resilient enough to close off the outlet. 
     The device  3  has hole  203  ( FIG. 3 ) associated with opening means for letting in venting air in the device. The opening means comprise a piston  205  having a piston rod  206  extended by a piston pin  209  of smaller diameter via a conical connecting portion and a piston spring  207  made for example of silicon When the half shells  3 A and  3 B are assembled, piston spring  207  urges piston rod against half shell  3 A so that piston pin  209  passes through hole  203  and tightening portion  210  abuts against the periphery of hole  203  on the inner side of half shell  3 A thereby blocking the air entrance from the exterior. The piston pin  209  for the piston  205  is arranged to be activated upon demand by appropriate means arranged on the docking station which can press on the end of piston pin  209  against piston spring  207  to allow tightening portion  210  to move away from hole  203  and allow venting air to enter the dispensing device 
     The device comprises a duct  70  for supplying diluent which intersects the liquid duct  69 . The diluent is conveyed into the device through a diluent intake  71  located through the rear part  3 A of the cap. This intake has the form of a connecting tube able to be forcibly fitted with sealing into a tubular coupling and diluent-supply part located on the base station  5 . The diluent flow rate is controlled by a diluent pump situated in the base station  5 . The diluent duct  70  ends in a restriction  72  beginning more or less upstream of the point where the liquid and diluent ducts  69 ,  70  meet. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 2 to 9 , as seen in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the diluent duct  70  and the liquid metering duct  69  are not directly positioned in intersection one another but meet with the mixing chamber  80 . The diluent duct  70  is nevertheless positioned in such a way that its stream is directed toward the liquid stream, i.e., in the direction of the liquid outlet or slightly below. Alternatively the liquid and diluent ducts can meet upstream of the chamber  80  so that the same duct transports the fluids to the chamber  80 . Such a duct may widen to reduce the pressure drop and take account of the increase in volume of the fluids before extending into a mixing chamber  80  proper. 
     The restriction makes it possible to accelerate the diluent and this, using a venturi phenomenon, causes a pressure at the meeting point that is lower than or equal to the pressure of the liquid in the liquid outlet duct  69 . When the pump is switched off, this equilibrium or differential of pressures, ensures that the diluent crosses the metering point and travels as far as the chamber without rising back up inside the liquid duct. The liquid pump stops while the diluent continues to pass through the device, for example towards the end of the drink preparation cycle in order to obtain the desired dilution of drink. Likewise, the diluent is used to regularly rinse the device. Thus the liquid, for example a coffee or cocoa concentrate, is prevented from being contaminated in the container or the pump by diluent being sucked back through the duct  69 . 
     The restriction  72  is thus sized to create a slight decrease in pressure of the diluent at the meeting point. However, the pressure needs to be controlled so that it does not excessively lower the boiling point and cause the diluent to boil in the duct  70  when hot drinks are being prepared. For preference, the restriction has a diameter of between 0.2 and 5 mm, more preferably between 0.5 and 2 mm. 
     An air intake embodied by an air duct  73  open to the open air via a hole  74  provided in half shell  3 A is preferably provided when frothing of the liquid-diluent mixture is desired. As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the air intake or channel  73  can be placed to intersect the diluent duct  70 . Therefore, it is placed before the intersection of the liquid stream and diluent stream. The air intake  73  may be provided in the region of the restriction  72 . The diluent speed is such in that region that air is sucked in the diluent stream before the stream meets the liquid stream. Such an arrangement reduces the risk of the air intake being contaminated with the diluted product coming in the air intake by accident. The position of the air intake may vary and may also be sited in such a way as to lead to the diluent duct  70  or alternatively to the liquid duct  69 . 
     In a possible mode (not illustrated), an air pump can be connected to the air intake. The air pump can be used for creating a positive pressure in the air intake which can force air to mix with the diluent stream. Normally, the restriction of the diluent duct is enough to draw a sufficient amount of air to create bubbles in the mixture but an air pump could prove to be helpful, in particular, at elevated diluent temperatures, where steam may start forming in the device thus resulting in no sufficient air to be able to be drawn. The air pump may also be used to send air in the mixing chamber at the end of the dispensing cycle in order to empty the chamber of the mixture and/or to dry off the mixing chamber for hygiene purpose. The air intake should also be connected to atmospheric pressure at the end of the dispensing cycle to ensure that the mixing chamber can properly empty. Such atmospheric pressure balance can be obtained by an active valve placed at the higher point in the air feed system. The mixing chamber  80  has a width of the order of at least five times, preferably at least ten or twenty times, the cross section of the duct portion  73  more or less at the exit from the meeting point. A broad chamber is preferable to a simple duct to encourage mixing and also to prevent any liquid from being sucked back into the venturi system when the device is at rest, as this could detract from the maintaining of good hygiene in the device. However, in principle, the chamber could be replaced by a duct of smaller cross section. 
     The chamber  80  also allows the mixture to be decelerated and therefore avoids the mixture being expelled too abruptly and possibly causing splashing as it is delivered. For that, the chamber  80  can have a bowed shape, or even can have the shape of a S so as to lengthen the path of the mixture and reduce the speed of the mixture. 
     The chamber  80  is connected mainly to a delivery duct  85  via an enlarged portion  80 A for delivering the mixture. A siphon passage may also be provided in order to completely empty the chamber when the chamber has bowed shape, after each delivered drink cycle. 
     The duct  85  can comprises elements (not shown) for breaking down the kinetic energy of the mixture in the duct. These elements may, for example, be several walls extending transversely to the duct and partially intersecting the flow of mixture and forcing this mixture to follow a sinuous path. These elements may also have a function of homogenizing the mixture before it is let out. Of course, other forms are possible for breaking the flow of the liquid product. 
     The cap device  3  has an outer cover  301  which closes the outlet  85 A of the liquid product duct  85  when the device  3  is not in use, particularly when it is not connected to the base station  5 . The cover  301  comprises a fixed portion  303  and a movable portion  305  joined by a hinge  307  ( FIGS. 3 ,  5  and  6 ). The fixed portion  303  is securely attached to the half-shell  3 B of device  3 . The fixed portion  303  has hooks ( 331 ,  332 ,  333 ,  334 ) which fit in holes ( 335 ,  336 ,  337 ,  338 ) in the half-shell  3 B. The fixed portion comprises a body portion  311  remote from the outlet  85  and side portions  313 ,  314  positioned below the hinge  307  and to either side of the movable portion. The cover  301  is made of hard plastics material and the hinge  307  is a linear section of plastics material thinner than the fixed portion  303  and movable portion  305 . 
     The movable portion  305  of the cover is movable between a position shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6  which closes outlet  85 A and a position which opens outlet  85 A. The movable portion  305  can be opened by the base station  5  as described below. In practice the movable portion would be opened by the base station as the cutter is operated as shown in  FIG. 6 . The movable portion  305  comprises a central portion  321  adjacent the hinge  307  attached to side pieces  323 ,  324  arranged below the side portions  313 ,  314  of the fixed portion. The side pieces  323 ,  324  can be engaged by opening means on the base station  5 . Opening of the movable portion  305  can be effected by movement of the drawer of the base station. The movable portion  305  of the cover  301  is a snap fit on the lower portion of the device  3  in a position which closes outlet  85 A. The central portion  321  of the movable portion  305  has a raised section  325  on its inner surface which forms a support on which the edge  85 C of the outlet duct  85 A can rest when the outer cover  301  is closed. 
     The dispensing device according to the invention also preferably comprises guide means allowing docking with the base station and, in particular, facilitating alignment of the diluent coupling and pump drive means. These guide means may, for example, be portions of surfaces through the device, for example, transversely to the parts  3 A,  3 B. The surfaces may, for example, be partially or completely cylindrical portions. The guide means also perform the function of supporting the weight of the package and ensure firm and stable docking. These means may of course adopt other highly varied shapes. 
     The parts  3 A,  3 B are assembled by any appropriate means such as welding, bonding or the like. In a preferred embodiment, the two parts are laser welded. The laser welding may be computer controlled and has the advantage of welding the parts together without any movement, unlike vibration welding; this improves the compliance with dimensional tolerances and the precision of the welding. For laser welding, one of the parts may be formed in a material that is more absorbent of laser energy while the other part is made of a plastic transparent to laser energy. However, other welding techniques are possible without departing from the scope of the invention, for example vibration welding. 
     It is preferable to provide a connecting joint (not shown), such as a weld, which partially or completely borders the ducts and chambers of the device. The joint is preferably perfectly sealed. However, a joint with non-welded regions may be provided in order to control the entry of air into the device. 
     In an advantageous construction, the rotary elements  65 ,  66  of the liquid pump each have teeth  652 ,  660  of complementing shapes, the cross section of which has a rounded shape towards the ends with an area of restricted cross section  661  at the base of each of the teeth. Such a rounded tooth geometry makes it possible to create a closed volumetric metering region which does not experience compression and transports a volume of liquid that is constant for each revolution. This configuration has the effect of reducing the effects of compression on the metered liquid and this improves the efficiency of the pump and reduces the loads on the pump. As a further preference, the outermost portion  662  of each tooth is flattened with a radius greater than the radius of the sides  663  of each tooth. In particular, the flattening of the outermost portions  662  allows the teeth to be brought closer to the surface of the pumping chamber, thus reducing clearance and improving sealing. 
     The device may comprise several liquid pumps each comprising a liquid duct which meets the diluent duct. The advantage is then that of being able to mix several different liquids with flow rate ratios determined by each of the pumps. The pumps may be organized either in the same plane or in a parallel plane. The container may comprise several chambers containing different liquids, each chamber communicating with its corresponding pump. Thus, the preparation of a drink may comprise two components which have to be kept separate for reasons of stability, shelf life, or preferably, for example, a base of concentrate on the one hand and a flavouring on the other, thus metered by different pumps to reconstitute a flavoured drink or a drink with a better flavour. It is also possible to provide a separate diluent duct for each liquid duct. 
     The dispensing device  3  is used with a base station  5  of the type shown in  FIGS. 10 to 18  of the accompanying drawings. The base station  5  comprises a holder  551  (not seen in  FIG. 10  but in  FIG. 11 ) for supporting the package comprising container  4  attached to dispensing device  3 . The holder  551  is positioned at a fixed distance from the drive means  93  of the base station. The means  521  for coupling the drive of the base station to the pump  6 , the means  541  for actuating the cutter  101  and the diluent coupling means  520 , are movable towards holder  551  to connect the coupling means to dispensing device  3  and away from holder  551  after disconnecting from dispensing device  3 . 
     The base station possesses an electric motor  93 . The electric motor  93  comprises a drive shaft  524  which passes through and slides within a cylinder  525 . The drive shaft  524  drives the coupling means  521  which can be connected to the dispensing device  3  to actuate the pump  6  for effecting passage of liquid through duct  69 , and which can be disconnected from the device  3 . The coupling means  521  is, for example, a portion of a shaft ending in a head of smaller cross section and with surfaces that complement the internal surfaces of the coupling means  650 ,  650 A belonging to the metering and mixing device. The head may have a pointed shape of polygonal cross section or may be star shaped, for example, offering both speed of engagement and reliability in the rotational drive of the pump. Alternatively and as shown in  FIG. 10A  showing a detail of the drawer  701  the coupling means  521  could have the shape of a hollow shaft comprising inner longitudinal ridges  521 A intended to cooperate with flexible wings  650 A provided onto master gear  65 . The coupling means  521  are supported by a drawer  701  drivable to move towards and away from holder  551  to effect the coupling with the corresponding means  650 ,  650 A of the pump of the dispensing device  3 . The drive shaft  524  is carried by the drawer  701  and mounted so as to rotate via two bearings  524 A therein ( FIG. 10B ). When the drive shaft  524  moves towards and away from the holder  551 , drive shaft slides in cylinder  525  while being rotatably connected to cylinder  525  be rotated to effect coupling independently of the drawer. The drawer  701  is mounted and moves between two parallel support members  703 ,  704  fixed to the panel of the base station  5 . The support members  703 ,  704  each comprise guide rails  703 A,  704 A onto which the drawer  701  can slide via slide block members  701 A extending sideways from the drawer  701  and parallel thereto. 
     The drawer  701  also carries diluent coupling means  520 . The means  520  may be a portion of a tube the diameter of which complements the diameter of the diluent intake  71  of the metering and mixing device  3  so as to engage therewith. Assembly may be achieved using one or more seals  520 A. In a variant, coupling means can comprise a non-return valve. 
     The base station comprises a diluent supply source, such as a reservoir of drinking water connected to a water pumping system. The water is then transported along pipes (not featured) as far as a water or diluent temperature control system (not shown). Such a system may be a heating system and/or a refrigeration system allowing the water to be raised or lowered to the desired temperature before it is introduced into the metering and mixing device  3 . As a preference, the system according to the invention offers the possibility of varying the metering of the liquid according to the requirements via a control panel featured in the interface area, thanks to a selection of buttons each of which selects a specific drinks dispensing program. In particular, the liquid:diluent dilution ratio can vary by varying the speed at which the pump  6  is driven. When the speed is slower, the diluent flow rate for its part being kept constant, the liquid:diluent ratio is thus reduced, leading to the delivering of a more dilute drink. Conversely, if the liquid pump speed is higher, the concentration of the drink can be increased. Another controllable parameter may be the volume of the drink by controlling the length of time for which the diluent pump system is activated and the length of time for which the liquid pump is driven. 
     The drawer  701  also carries coupling means  541  for driving the push pin  103  which actuates the cutter  101 . In the example shown, the coupling means  541  comprises an activating pin which is fixed with respect to drawer  701 . Alternatively, the pin  541  could also be mounted in the drawer as to slide therein. However in this case, additional control means for activating this pin  541  should be provided on base station  5 . The drawer  701  may also carry coupling means  543  for driving a piston  205  which effects venting of the container. The drawer  701  may also carry a pin  97  for controlling the supply of air to the air duct  73  to achieve foaming or no foaming of the liquid dispensed. This pin carries a rubber disc  98  at its end which is capable of blocking the air intake  74  of the device  3 . The drawer  701  also carries a positioning pin  705  for locating the drawer in the correct position relative to the dispensing device i.e. the metering and mixing device  3   
     In the variant shown in  FIG. 10A  the drawer  701  can also carry a sensor S, for example a proximity sensor of the reed type for detecting the position of the drawer as well as the presence of the cap holder  551 . 
     The base station may comprise guide rails  555 A,  555 B as seen in  FIGS. 10 and 19 , on which the holder  551 . can be slide into position via flanges  571 ,  572  provided on two opposite sides. The holder is shaped generally to receive the dispensing device  3 . The holder  551  may have separate apertures for the pump coupling means  521  for the cutter driving means  541  and for the diluent coupling means  520 , or may be formed with an opening large enough to accommodate the pump coupling means  521 , the diluent supply and its coupling means  520 , the air supply control means  97 , if present, the driving means  541  for driving the push pin  103  which actuates the cutter and the coupling means  543  for driving the piston  205  which effects venting, if used. 
     The dispensing device  3  is formed with the outer cover  301  on the opposite side from the coupling means  650 ,  650 A and push pin  103 , diluent intake  71  and air intake  74 , so that the dispensing device is placed in the holder  551  with its outer cover at the side furthest from the drawer  701 . The drawer  701  carries a stirrup-shaped opening and closing device  557  for the cover  301 . The holder  551  has cutaway portions to allow contact between the stirrup  557  and the outer cover  301 . The stirrup  557  carries two bosses  531 ,  532 , one on each side of the stirrup, which engage with the side pieces  323 ,  324  of the movable flap  305  of the outer cover  301  and open the cover as the drawer  701  moves towards the holder  551 . The end portion of stirrup  557  forms a closing bar  558  so that the bottom of the cover  301  is constrained between the bosses  531 ,  532  and the closing bar  558  of the stirrup. When the drawer  701  is moved away from the holder  551 , the closing bar  558  of the stirrup pushes against the outer cover  301  to close the flap  305 . 
     The base station  5  of the embodiment shown in particular in  FIGS. 10 to 13  has a front guard portion  561  which is movable vertically. The guard  561  is formed with grooves  563 ,  564  which move along posts  565 ,  566  at the front end of the base station. The guard portion  561  is lowered to allow the holder  551  to be inserted on the guide rails  555 A and  555 B of the base station and can then be raised to secure the holder in the base station. 
     The mechanism for moving the drawer  701  is an extendable joint mechanism  711  comprising two rigid limbs  721 ,  731  linked by a knee joint  740 . The limb  721  is mounted on a drive shaft  713  perpendicular to the direction of movement of the drawer  701 . The drive shaft  713  has drive means (not shown) separate from the drive means  93  and which can be manual or mechanical. For example the drive means for drive shaft can comprise a cylinder (not shown) acting on a drive lever  713 A rotatably connected to drive shaft  713 . In the example shown in  FIG. 14A , drive shaft  713  comprises two self tapping screws  713 B,  713 C screwed into the rigid limb  721 . Rigid limb  721  is preferably made of plastic material. The limb  721  has a triangular shape one tip of which comprising a cylinder  721 A surrounding a spring  723  acting against the knee joint  740 . The limb  731  extends between knee joint  740  and a shaft  733  mounted in bearings in a support member  707  of the drawer  701 . 
     Movement of the coupling means  543 , which comprise here a piston  543  that is mounted as to slide in the drawer  701 , for driving the piston  209  which effects venting of the container can also be effected by the lever  542  capable of engaging with a piston  546  driven by a solenoid actuator  191 . Similarly movement of the pin  97  for controlling the supply of air to the air duct  73  via hole  74  to achieve foaming or no foaming is effected by a lever  544  capable of engaging with a piston  548  driven by a solenoid actuator  192 . (Lever  542  is not seen in  FIGS. 14 to 17  as it is hidden by lever  544 .) The levers  542  and  544  are mounted on the limb  731  of the joint mechanism  711 . The piston  543  and the pin  97  are both biased by a return means, here helical springs  543 A and  97 A towards the levers  542  and  544 . 
     When a package comprising a dispensing device  3  attached to a container  4  is inserted in the cap holder  551 , the drawer  701  is in the position shown in  FIG. 14 , this being the rest position where the spring  723  is not compressed. 
     When the machine is activated to dispense a drink, a torque is applied to the shaft  713  (manually or mechanically) to rotate the limb  721  towards the position shown in  FIG. 15 . Such movement extends the knee joint  740  and pushes the limb  731 , and thus the drawer support  707  and drawer  701 , towards the cap holder  551 . The movement of the limb  731  also starts to raise the levers  542  and  544 . 
     It will be noted that the levers  542  and  544  are guided during their upward movement between a bar  500  mounted on base station  5  and extending transversally to the movement of the drawer  701  and the ends of coupling means  543  and pin  97 . 
     Continuing movement further extend the knee joint  740  and moves the drawer  701  to a position in which the pump coupling means  521  and the diluent coupling means  520  extend through the holder  551 , as shown in  FIG. 16 . Continuing movement and further extension of the knee joint  740  moves the drawer  701  to a position in which the pump coupling means  521  and the diluent coupling means  520  engage with the coupling means  650 ,  650 A and diluent intake  71  of the device  3 , as shown in  FIG. 17 . In this position the coupling means  520  engages with the push pin  103  and the foam/no foam coupling means  97  engages with the air inlet  74 . In this position venting  543  is positioned facing venting piston pin  209  for activation upon demand. Positioning pin  705  is fitted in corresponding positioning hole  705 A ( FIG. 3 ) of the device  3 . Slight further movement of the joint mechanism  711  to its furthest extent raises the levers  542  and  544  to the position shown in  FIG. 18 , where they can be operated by the pistons  546  and  548  respectively. The machine is now configured to dispense a drink. During the forward movement of the drawer  701 , the pin  541  comes into contact with the push pin  103  and pushes it forward so as to operate the cutter  101  to cut protective foil  41  open. The machine and the packaging are then ready to operate and dispense a drink. The drive shaft  524  is then operated to drive the pump  6  through coupling means  521  and  650 ,  650 A to dispense a measured amount of liquid from the container  4  through duct  69 . Simultaneously or subsequently diluent is supplied through coupling means  520  and intake  71 , and the air intake closing means  97 ,  98  can be activated if foaming of the drink is not required. The diluted drink, optionally foamed, is dispensed through outlet  85 . The push pin  543  may then be actuated to allow venting of the container  4 . 
     After operation of the above sequence of activities to dispense a drink, the drawer remains in place until the container needs to be removed, e.g. when it is empty, then the user can command the disengagement of the drawer from the caps upon which the joint mechanism is returned to its rest position shown in  FIG. 14  to retract the drawer  701 . 
     The metering and mixing device or the container may also comprise a code that can be read by a reader associated with the base station  5 . The code comprises information referring to the identity and/or the nature of the product and/or to parameters concerned with the activating of the diluent supply and/or liquid pump drive means. The code may, for example, be used to manage the flow rate of the liquid pump and/or of the diluent pump, contained in the base station, so as to control the liquid:diluent ratio. The code may also control the opening or closing of the air intake in order to obtain a frothy or non-frothy drink. 
       FIGS. 19 to 21  show an alternative embodiment of the invention, in which those elements that are identical to those already described are designated by the same reference numerals. This embodiment differs from that which was described in connection with  FIGS. 1 to 18  only in that it further comprises means for preventing the forward movement of drawer  701  unless cap holder  551  is properly in place in the docking station of base station.  FIGS. 19 to 21  show the docking station at various stages of the insertion of cap holder  551  onto the docking station. 
     In the embodiment of  FIGS. 19 to 21 , the cap holder  551  is formed with flanges  571 ,  572  which rest on the guide rails  555 A,  555 B. The holder  551  can be secured in position by door  573  hinged onto the end a support member  703  and which is fastened by fastener  575 . In example shown, the fastener  575  comprises a bent elastic leaf secured by one end to the support member opposite to that carrying the door hinge, which latches onto a cut out portion of the door  573  Springs  577 ,  578  are mounted within the rails  555 A,  555 B to press inwardly against the flanges  571 ,  572  of the cap holder  551  and against the drawer  701 . In particular the springs  577 ,  578  are bent so as to have inwardly facing angles  579 ,  580  pressing against the end of the flanges adjacent to the drawer  701 . The ends of the springs are bent to form buffer portions  581 ,  582 . 
     This arrangement helps in holding the base station  5  in a safe configuration for maintenance and in preventing restart of the machine before the holder  551  is correctly positioned as the buffer portions  581 ,  582  block the movement of the drawer  701  when the cap holder is not in place in the docking station and the drawer is retracted ( FIG. 19 ). 
     When maintenance, for example of any of the various coupling means carried by the drawer  701 , is required, the fastener  575  is unlatched and the door is opened. The holder  551  can then be removed by sliding the flanges along rails  555 A,  555 A. The springs  577 ,  578  remain in the position shown in  FIG. 19  as the holder  551  is removed. When the drawer has been retracted, the springs  577 ,  578  spring inwards so that the buffer portions  581 ,  582  block movement of the drawer  701 . Maintenance can be carried out in this position. 
       FIG. 20  shows the cap holder  551  during insertion onto the docking station. When maintenance is completed, the holder  551  is inserted along the rails  555 A,  555 B. As the front corners of the flanges  571 ,  572  move towards the drawer  701 , they engage the angles  579 ,  580  of the springs, pushing the springs outwards so that the buffer portions  581 ,  582  no longer block the drawer  701 . The door  573  is then shut and fastened by latch  575  so that the holder  551  is in its operating position. Movement of the drawer  701  can then be effected as described with relation to  FIGS. 14 to 18 . 
       FIG. 21  shows the holder  551  in its operating position. The arrangement of  FIG. 21  ensures that the drawer is not operated unless the holder  551  is in its correct position. 
       FIGS. 22 and 23  show an alternative embodiment of the invention, in which those elements that are identical to those already described are designated by the same reference numerals. In  FIG. 23 , the cap holder  551  has been omitted. 
     In this embodiment only the means to secure the cap holder  551  in the base station are different from those described in connection with  FIGS. 10 to 21 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 22 and 23 , the base station  5  comprises a locking member  900  for locking the cap holder  551  onto the base station  5 . The locking member  900  is U-shape member comprising two side bars  901 ,  902  connected together at one of their end by a cross-bar  903 . The side bars extend parallel to the support members  703 ,  704 , while the cross-bar  903  extends perpendicularly to the side bars  901 ,  902 . The locking member  900  is mounted so as to pivot onto the base station about an axis A-A. In the example shown, the side bars  901 ,  902  comprise two pivoting studs  904 ,  905  facing each other and arranged to protrude from the inside of the side bars  901 ,  902 . A return spring  906 ,  907  is associated to each of the pivoting studs  904 ,  905  to bias the locking member into a rest position in which the free ends of the side bars  901 ,  902  rest onto a surface of the base station  5 . Each of the side bars  901 ,  902  comprises at its free end a hook  908   909 . The hooks  908 ,  909  are oriented facing the base station and each comprises advantageously a ramp portion  908 A.  909 A inclined downwards in the direction of insertion of the cap holder  551  and which extends by a recess portion  908 B,  909 B. The cap holder  551  comprises a locking bar  910  protruding on both sides of the cap holder transversally to the insertion direction thereof in the base station  5 . The free ends  910 A,  910 B of the locking bar  910  are intended to engage with the hooks  908 ,  909  when the holder  551  is inserted along the rails  555 A,  555 B so as to lock the cap holder securely into place in the base station. As a result of this structure, when cap holder is inserted along rails  555 A,  555 B, before the cap holder  551  reaches its end position in the base station  5 , the ends  910 A,  910 B of the locking bar  910  engage the ramp portions  908 A,  909 A respectively and push the locking member  900  upwards against the resilient force of the return springs  906 ,  907  in the direction of the arrow C until the ends  910 A,  910 B fall in the recess  908 B,  909 B thereby causing the locking member  900  to swing back in the direction of arrow B into its rest position where the cap holder is securely into place. 
     In the embodiment shown the movement of the locking member  900  is controlled manually and to that effect the locking member  900  advantageously comprises one handling tab  911 ,  912  on each side bar to facilitate the control thereof. 
     A handling tab  551 A for is also advantageously provide onto cap holder  551  to facilitate its insertion in and out of the base station  5 . The invention also extends to the field of the preparation of non-food products. For example, the invention may be used in the field of the dispensing of products which come in the form of liquids that can be diluted, such as washing powders, soaps, detergents or other similar products. 
     It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.