Apparatus for making a beverage, comprising an image acquisition device

An apparatus for making a beverage including an infusion chamber for a capsule containing a food substance, an insertion opening for inserting the capsule into the apparatus, a transfer channel for transferring the capsule from the insertion opening to the infusion chamber, an image acquisition device to acquire at least one image of a portion of the capsule. The image acquisition device includes an optical sensor facing an image capture zone in which, in use, said capsule is located or passes. A viewing window, made of transparent material, is interposed between the optical sensor and the image capture zone. A heating element for heating the viewing window is applied to, or incorporated in, the viewing window.

This invention relates to the sector of beverage making apparatuses. In particular, this invention relates to an apparatus for making a beverage using a capsule containing a food substance, the apparatus comprising an image acquisition device to acquire at least one image from a portion of the capsule to use.

There are currently several known apparatuses capable of making beverages, generally comprising an infusion unit with an integrated infusion chamber into which, in use, a capsule containing a food substance can be inserted.

The infusion unit in turn comprises a first part and a second part which are movable at least relative to each other between a home position, in which the two parts are spaced apart from each other and the infusion chamber is open to allow the capsule to be placed therein, and an infusion position, in which the two parts are coupled to each other and close an infusion chamber. There are also beverage making means for making water (in particular, pressurised hot water) circulate through the capsule contained in the closed infusion chamber, thereby causing the beverage to be made, and for dispensing the beverage out of the apparatus.

Apparatuses capable of detecting the type of capsule fed into the apparatus are already known in the sector. The apparatus adopts the infusion and dispensing parameters (such as the temperature and pressure of the water fed to the capsule) best suited to the type of capsule.

One particular technology currently used for that purpose involves an optical recognition of the capsule by means of an image acquisition device which is positioned upstream of the infusion chamber or in the infusion chamber itself. The image acquisition device is capable of reading a bar code or a QR-code or another recognisable code which is present on the capsule. However, the currently known embodiments of this technology have several drawbacks.

In particular, the image acquisition device is positioned in a part of the apparatus in which water vapour or moist air may be present, coming from the infusion chamber and/or from a collection drawer for used capsules. When in contact with a cold surface, the water in the gaseous phase can cause water condensation and misting on the surface itself. In particular, this occurs on a viewing window, made of transparent material, which separates the optical sensor of the image acquisition device from the region in which the capsule to be recognised passes. The lower the room temperature, the greater this drawback.

Water condensation and misting on the viewing window of the image acquisition device can hinder or even prevent the operation of the device and can give rise to reading errors of a lesser or greater severity.

It is therefore necessary to counteract the formation of water condensation or misting which can interfere with the correct operation of the image acquisition device.

In some known solutions, a fan is present to create a forced airflow on the viewing window (for example, see European patent application No. EP3175745A1), or the viewing window is positioned in such a way as to be easily accessible and cleanable by a user. However, the known solutions are not entirely satisfactory and effective, and entail technical complications or the need for manual intervention by the user.

In this context, the technical purpose which forms the basis of this invention is to produce an apparatus for making a beverage that enables the above mentioned drawback to be overcome, or at least reduced, or that offers an alternative solution to the current known solutions.

The technical purpose and the aims indicated above are substantially achieved by an apparatus for making a beverage in accordance with claim1.

Particular embodiments of this invention are defined in the corresponding dependent claims.

According to one aspect of this invention, the apparatus for making a beverage comprises a heating element that is applied to the viewing window of the image acquisition device or is incorporated in the viewing window itself. The heating element is an electrical resistor-type heater and is connectable to an electricity supply, thus it heats the viewing window during use of the apparatus.

This is useful for heating the viewing window directly and efficiently, in order to prevent, or at least reduce, the formation of water condensation thereon. Indeed, the heat produced by the heating element is transferred by conduction to the viewing window, which is consequently heated.

In one embodiment, the heating element comprises an electrical conductor which forms a heating electrical resistor and which is positioned at the peripheral region of the viewing window, therefore the electrical conductor is not on the optical path between the optical sensor and the image capture zone. This is useful for preventing the operation of the image acquisition device from being affected. In particular, the electrical conductor substantially forms a ring which surrounds a central region of the viewing window.

In one embodiment, the heating element comprises a thin sheet and an electrical conductor which forms the heating electrical resistor. The electrical conductor is applied to the thin sheet or is incorporated in the thin sheet, which is in turn applied to the viewing window or incorporated in the viewing window. The heating element is therefore a slender, non-bulky article which can be easily handled and assembled with the other parts during the making of the image acquisition device and, moreover, does not take up significant space in the apparatus. The thin sheet is, for instance, made from transparent material.

Referring to the figures enclosed, an apparatus for making a beverage in accordance with this invention has been labelled with reference number1in its entirety. To make a beverage, the apparatus1uses a capsule (not shown), in particular a disposable capsule, containing a food substance, such as coffee powder.

The apparatus1is shown schematically and in particular some details, relating to aspects known per se that are not material to the understanding of this invention, have been omitted from the figures.

The apparatus1has a shell10, or outer casing, which encloses and protects the inner components of the apparatus1itself. The inner components are described below.

First, the apparatus1comprises an infusion unit2in which an infusion chamber21, which is suitable for receiving the capsule containing the food substance, is made.

The infusion chamber21is associated with beverage making means, which are not illustrated in detail in the figures as they can be made according to known methods and are not directly linked to the innovative aspects of this invention. In use, the beverage making means are capable of making water (in particular, hot water) circulate through the capsule contained in the closed infusion chamber21, thereby causing the beverage to be made, and of dispensing the made beverage out of the apparatus1.

The beverage making means comprise a heater22for heating water, a feeding circuit for feeding water (which is or is not pressurised) to the infusion chamber21, and a dispensing conduit for dispensing the made beverage outwards. The heater22comprises, for instance, an electric resistor which heats the water by means of Joule effect, that is, by resistive heating.

The water to be heated is taken from a tank13and the water feeding circuit comprises a pump.

The beverage making means can comprise first piercing means23to make a first hole in the capsule, through which water is fed into the capsule itself, and second piercing means24to make a second hole through which the beverage is allowed to flow out of the capsule.

As the details of the beverage making means are not part of the innovative aspects of this invention and in themselves may be similar to the known ones, these are here described only briefly.

The infusion unit2comprises a first part25and a second part26which are movable, at least relative to each other, between a home position, where the infusion chamber21is open, and an infusion position, where the infusion chamber21is closed. When in the home position, the first part25and the second part26of the infusion unit2are spaced sufficiently apart from each other to allow a capsule to be inserted into the infusion chamber21, whereas when in the infusion position (shown inFIGS.2and4), the first part25and the second part26are coupled to one another to clamp the capsule in the infusion chamber21. The movement of the first part25and the second part26between the home position and the infusion position, and vice versa, is driven manually by a user by means of a lever14pivoted to the frame of the apparatus1. These aspects are already known in themselves and shall not be described further.

In the embodiment shown in the figures, the infusion unit2is horizontal in type: the first part25and the second part26are movable relative to one another according to a horizontal line of movement which is parallel to a central axis defined by the infusion chamber21. Moreover, the infusion chamber21is advantageously made substantially entirely in only one of either the first part25or the second part26(specifically, in the second part26), whilst the other part acts as an element for clamping the infusion chamber21.

Specifically, the central axis of the capsule placed in the infusion chamber21is substantially horizontal and coinciding with the central axis of the infusion chamber21.

For the placement of the capsule, the apparatus1comprises an insertion opening31and a transfer channel32which connects the insertion opening31to the infusion chamber21. After being inserted into the apparatus1through the insertion opening31, the capsule travels along the transfer channel32until it reaches a receiving seat between the first part25and the second part26of the infusion unit2in the home position.

In particular, the insertion opening31is a mouth at the top of the transfer channel32and faces upwards. As shown in the figures, the insertion opening31is located in the top region of the shell10.

The transfer channel32substantially extends downwards (vertically or optionally inclined) and the capsule moves therein by force of gravity as it falls downwards. The transfer channel32may optionally be equipped with two guide grooves (not shown) that are located on opposing sides of the transfer channel32itself and extend parallel to the progression of the transfer channel32. The guide grooves, which receive opposite portions of an annular flange projecting from the top of the capsule, serve to guide the capsule as it falls along the transfer channel32and to prevent the capsule from rotating on itself as it falls.

When the first part25and the second part26of the infusion unit2are in the home position, the bottom of the transfer channel32opens onto the receiving seat which is formed by the space interposed between the first part25and the second part26. When the first part25and the second part26of the infusion unit2are in the infusion position, the bottom of the transfer channel32is closed off by a movable wall27that moves together with the second part26.

The apparatus1can also comprise capsule-holding means (which can themselves be made in the known way) to hold the capsule in a standby position when the first part25and the second part26are in the home position and during at least part of their movement towards the infusion position, as well as capsule-ejecting means (which can also themselves be made in the known way) which cause the ejection of the capsule from the infusion chamber21at the end of dispensing, as the first part25and the second part26return to the home position.

The apparatus1further comprises a collection chamber15for used capsules: after being ejected from the infusion chamber21after use, the capsule falls into the collection chamber15. The collection chamber15is located below the infusion chamber21, substantially on the bottom of the apparatus1, and is connected to the infusion chamber21by a fall channel16. The collection chamber15is in communication, through the infusion chamber21, with the transfer channel32.

The collection chamber15is part, for instance, of a drawer that, being removable from the main body of the apparatus1, allows periodic removal and disposal of used capsules. In particular, the removable drawer also comprises a support17for a cup which is intended to receive the beverage dispensed by the apparatus1.

The apparatus1comprises an image acquisition device4which is intended to acquire at least one image of a portion of the capsule. Specifically the image acquisition device4is used to acquire one or more images of at least one identifying portion of the capsule, namely a portion featuring a bar code or other graphic element that is itself visible and recognisable. For example, this graphic element is formed by a word or figurative mark, preferably registered, thus allowing an information to the consumer that the capsule in question is compatible with the apparatus1and is approved by the manufacturer of the apparatus1itself.

In the embodiment illustrated, the image acquisition device4is associated with the transfer channel32and, when in use, acquires at least one image of a portion of the capsule before the latter reaches the infusion chamber21. Indeed, the image acquisition device4is positioned along the capsule feeding path, outside of the infusion chamber21. Therefore, the image acquisition device4is configured to acquire one or more images of the capsule when the latter is at an image capture zone40in which, in use, the capsule is located or passes. Specifically, the image capture zone40is a section of the transfer channel32.

In an alternative embodiment, the image acquisition device4and the image capture zone40may be in another position, for instance the image acquisition device4may be positioned to acquire one or more images of the capsule when the latter is located in the infusion chamber21.

The image acquisition device4firstly comprises at least one optical sensor42facing the image capture zone40. The optical sensor42is, for instance, a sensor with CMOS technology and, in particular, operates at least in the visible light spectrum. The image acquisition device4also comprises at least one light-emitting element49to illuminate, in use, the image capture zone40and the capsule therein. The at least one light-emitting element49is formed, for instance, by one or more LEDs which produce white light.

The apparatus1comprises a viewing window45, made of transparent material (for instance polymethylmethacrylate), which is interposed between the optical sensor42and the image capture zone40. The viewing window45has a first face451facing the optical sensor42and a second face452facing the image capture zone40. During use, the optical sensor42views the capsule in the image capture zone40through the viewing window45. For instance, the viewing window45is a wall separating the optical sensor42from the image capture zone40in the transfer channel32, to protect the optical sensor42from dirt or vapours coming from the transfer channel32itself.

The viewing window45has a central region455, which is located on the optical path between the optical sensor42and the image capture zone40, and a peripheral region456which is located around the central region455. During use, the optical sensor42views the capsule in the image capture zone40through the central region455, while the peripheral region456is substantially situated outside the viewing field of the optical sensor42or, in any case, is not relevant for correctly acquiring images of the capsule. For instance, the central region455has a circular disc shape, while the peripheral region456surrounds the central region455and has a substantially annular or crown shape. Specifically, the central region455is circular and has a diameter of approximately 20 mm.

In the embodiment illustrated, the image acquisition device4comprises a box-shaped casing5, which encloses an inner chamber50in which the optical sensor42is housed. The viewing window45is a part of the box-shaped casing5, being a front wall thereof. The box-shaped casing5, the viewing window45and the image acquisition device4are parts of an assembly which is shown inFIGS.5to12.

The box-shaped casing5further comprises side walls which are connected to the front wall and delimit the inner chamber50laterally. Optionally, the front wall and the side walls are made in one piece. The box-shaped casing5can further comprise a rear wall58which is on the side opposite side to the front wall and is therefore further away from the image capture zone40. This rear wall58is a separate piece, for instance a panel fixed to the side walls, which closes the inner chamber50to the rear. The optical sensor42, the light-emitting element49and any other electronic components of the image acquisition device4can be supported by or mounted on the rear wall58.

To prevent moisture or dirt from entering the inner chamber50, the box-shaped casing5is substantially hermetic.

In the embodiment illustrated, the box-shaped casing5of the image acquisition device4comprises two side walls47,48which are light guides arranged on the sides of the viewing window45and which extend towards the image capture zone40. The light-guide side walls47,48are coupled to light-emitting elements49(in particular, LEDs) which are supported by the rear wall58. The side walls47,48are, as mentioned, light guides configured to internally transmit the light emitted by the light-emitting elements49to respective illuminating surface regions471,481. Therefore, in use, the image capture zone40is illuminated by light projected from the illuminating surface regions471,481of the light-guide side walls47,48.

Specifically, the light-guide side walls47,48and the front wall including the viewing window45are made in one piece. Said side walls are solid, that is, the material they are made of occupies their entire thickness. The material used is, for instance, polymethylmethacrylate. For further details on the light-guide side walls and the illuminating system, as well as for any possible alternative embodiments, reference shall be made to the description contained in Italian patent application No. 102017000060684, in the name of this same applicant, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

The apparatus1comprises an electronic processing unit capable of operating the image acquisition device4and processing the images obtained by the optical sensor42.

In the embodiment illustrated, the image acquisition device4is located in a side seat33relative to the transfer channel32. As shown inFIG.4, the viewing window45is spaced apart from the transfer channel32and is situated in a back position in the side seat33. As a result of this arrangement, the viewing window45is not directly brushed by moist air or water vapour rising in the transfer channel32from the infusion chamber21and/or from the collection chamber15for used capsules.

However, this arrangement may not be sufficient in itself to prevent the formation of water condensation and misting on the viewing window45. To prevent or at least reduce this drawback, an apparatus1according to this invention further comprises a heating element6applied to the viewing window45or incorporated in the viewing window45. Namely, the heating element6can be mounted on one face of the viewing window45or can be inside the viewing window45, for instance if the latter is formed by some layers of material.

The heating element6is an electrical resistor-type heater and is electrically connectable to an electricity supply (for example, it is connected to an electricity supply which also supplies the water heater22and the other electrical parts of the apparatus1). The heating element6is intended for heating the viewing window45during use of the apparatus1, thanks to the heating produced by Joule effect in the electrical resistor of the heating element6itself.

For instance, the heating element6is in contact with one of the faces of the viewing window45, therefore the heat produced by the heating element6is efficiently transferred to the viewing window45by thermal conduction.

In particular, the heating element6is applied to the first face451of the viewing window45, namely the face which is facing the optical sensor42and is opposite to the second face452being at a greater risk of water condensation and misting forming on it. In other words, the heating element6is situated on the side of the inner chamber50of the box-shaped casing5of the image acquisition device4.

The heating element6comprises an electrical conductor61which forms a heating electrical resistor and which is positioned at the peripheral region456of the viewing window45. Therefore, this electric conductor61, which is not transparent, is outside the viewing field of the optical sensor42or, in any case, does not negatively interfere with the acquisition of images of the capsule in the image capture zone40; namely, the electrical conductor61does not prevent the relevant parts of the image to be acquired from being viewed. This enables misting of the viewing window45to be avoided without compromising or disturbing the operation of the image acquisition device4. In particular, the electrical conductor61substantially forms a ring which surrounds a central region455of the viewing window45. This is useful both for leaving free the central region455of the viewing window45and for heating the central region455efficiently, as the heat propagates from substantially the entire periphery of the central region455towards its centre.

The electrical conductor61is, for instance, a wire or a metal strip or is made with a conductive ink distributed according to a suitable pattern on a supporting layer.

The heating element6can be made in different ways and structures. In one specific embodiment of this invention, the heating element6comprises a thin sheet60and an electrical conductor61forming the heating electrical resistor. The electrical conductor61is applied to the thin sheet60or is incorporated in the thin sheet60. Basically, the thin sheet60acts as a support for the electrical conductor61.

In order not to interfere with the image acquisition, the thin sheet60is made of a transparent material or has an opening62corresponding to the central region455of the viewing window45. This opening62has, for instance, the same dimensions as the central region455(or larger dimensions) and therefore, as a material-less hole, it leaves the viewing field of the optical sensor42completely free. For instance, the electrical conductor61is positioned around the opening62.

In particular, the thin sheet60comprises a first layer601made of plastic material and a second layer602made of plastic material. The electrical conductor61is enclosed between the first layer601and the second layer602, thus being incorporated into the thin sheet60that electrically insulates it and protects it from damage. The plastic material is, for instance, polyethylene terephthalate (PET). For instance, the first layer601has a thickness of 190 μm and the second layer602has a thickness of 75 μm. The layers601,602are, for instance, portions of sheets of plastic material, in particular transparent plastic material.

In an alternative embodiment, the electrical conductor61can be applied on one of the faces of the thin sheet60instead of being incorporated inside it. For instance, the electrical conductor61is made with a conductive ink, in particular ink with silver particles. During manufacturing, the conductive ink is distributed onto a first of the two layers601,602according to the desired path for the electrical conductor61; subsequently, the second of the two layers601,602is superimposed over the first layer and fixed to enclose the conductive ink between the two layers.

In the sectional view inFIG.15, the electrical conductor61in the heating region of the thin sheet60is in turn made of two layers, which are a first layer603of conductive ink and a second layer604of heating ink which is electrically connected to the first layer603.

The thin sheet60is applied to the viewing window45or is incorporated in the viewing window45.

In particular, one face of the thin sheet60has an adhesive layer605by means of which the thin sheet60is fixed to the viewing window45. The adhesive layer605can also be transparent.

According to the embodiment illustrated, the heating element6comprises a first portion71, which includes the thin sheet60and is parallel to the viewing window45, and a second portion72, which forms an extension of the first portion71and extends away from the viewing window45.

Specifically, the first portion71and the second portion72are parts of a single body of plastic material, preferably made with the layers601,602mentioned above. The heating element6is flexible and can be folded along a hinge line between the first portion71and the second portion72without damaging the electrical conductor61.

The electrical conductor61extends in the first portion71, where it forms the heating electrical resistor, and in the second portion72, where it forms electrical contacts75for connection to the electricity supply. The electrical contacts75are exposed, that is, they are not covered by plastic material, to allow the electrical connection to be made easily and, moreover, they are situated in a part76which is thicker and more rigid than the second portion72. This thicker part76is, for instance, made of polycarbonate and is useful for facilitating the insertion of the electrical contacts75into a corresponding socket (not shown) and their holding in the socket itself.

The electrical conductor61has a passage cross-section which in the first portion71is less than the passage cross-section of the electrical conductor61in the second portion72.FIG.13shows that the width of the electrical conductor61in the first portion71is less than the width of the electrical conductor61in the second portion72. For instance, the width of the electrical conductor61is 1.5 mm in the first portion71and 5 mm in the second portion72.

As a result of the different passage cross-sections, the electrical resistance of the electrical conductor61is larger in the first portion71and is smaller in the second portion72. Consequently, in use, an heating by Joule effect mainly occurs in the first portion71, where it is required to heat the viewing window45, and is negligible in the second portion72, where it merely constitutes energy loss.

In the embodiment illustrated, the image acquisition device4comprises: a front part51of the box-shaped casing5, the front part51in turn including the viewing window45and the light-guide side walls47,48; a front lid53for the optical sensor42, the front lid53being housed within an inner seat of the front part51; the heating element6, the first portion71of which is arranged in the inner seat between the viewing window45and the front lid53; a first gasket52, between the first portion71of the heating element6and the front lid53; a second gasket54; a diaphragm55; a lens56; a printed circuit board57, on which the optical sensor42and the light-emitting elements49are mounted; the rear wall58, which closes the box-shaped casing5and supports the printed circuit board57. The second gasket54, the diaphragm55and the lens56are enclosed between the front lid53and the printed circuit board57. The rear wall58is fixed to the front part51of the box-shaped casing5.

One example of a heating element6has the following dimensions. The first portion71of the heating element6has an approximately square shape, with a side of 30 mm, and the electrical conductor61is situated around a circular central area with a diameter of 22 mm, in which there is the opening62which is circular and with a diameter of 20.5 mm. The second portion72of the heating element6has a width of 16 mm and a length of 42 mm. The heating element6has a thickness of approximately 0.4 mm; the region where the electrical contacts75are located has a length of 14.5 mm and a thickness greater than the rest of the heating element6, for instance a thickness of 1.5 mm.

The heating element6operates with an electrical voltage of 230 V and has a power of 1.07 W. Its maximum operating temperature is 90° C. Power density is 0.85 W/cm2.

The first portion71of the heating element6is fixed by the adhesive layer605to the first face451of the viewing window45. The second portion72is bent at around a 90° angle relative to the first portion71and protrudes backwards relative to the rear wall58, so that the electrical contacts75are easily connectable to the electricity supply. It should be noted that the second portion72is not shown inFIGS.5to8, butFIG.6shows an opening581through which the second portion72protrudes and projects from the rear wall58.

As mentioned, the heating element6is connected to an electricity supply. During the use of the apparatus1, the electrical current passing through the electrical conductor61produces heating by Joule effect, which is transferred by thermal conduction to the viewing window45. Consequently, the latter is heated to a higher temperature than the air dew temperature in the transfer channel32and water condensation is prevented from forming thereon.

For further details on known aspects of the apparatus1, reference shall be made, for instance, to the description contained in patent applications WO 2015/019248 A1, WO 2015/019249 A1 and WO 2017/134544 A1, in the name of this same applicant, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Many modifications and variations can be made to the invention as designed herein without departing from the scope of the accompanying claims.

All details can be replaced by other technically equivalent details and any materials, shapes and dimensions of the various components may be used according to requirements.