Patent EA-003649-B1 (EA)
Title: Dosing device adapted for dispensing a concentrate from a holder in a metered manner
Inventor: BRAMER ALBERTUS MARIA
IPC: F04C2/18
Filed: 2000-06-20
Abstract: 1. A dosing device adapted for dispensing a concentrate from a holder placed in a dispensing machine which comprises a magnetization unit for generating a changing magnetic field, a housing comprising at least one inlet, at least one outlet, a liquid slow path extending from the inlet to the outlet, and a pump included in the liquid flow path, the dosing device being adapted for dispensing in a metered manner a viscous concentrate from a holder in which the concentrate is contained, the concentrate in diluted form giving a product suitable for consumption, the holder comprising a storage space in which the concentrate is contained, and the inlet of the dosing device being adapted to be connected, in use, to the storage space of the holder, characterized in that the dosing device comprises a rotor rotatable connected to the housing for rotation around a rotation axis, for causing the rotor to rotate about the rotation axis by means of the changing magnetic field, the rotor being mechanically connected to the pump for driving the pump with the rotating rotor, the axis extends from the inlet to the outlet. 2. A dosing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the rotor is included in the liquid flow path. 3. A dosing device according to claim 2, characterized in that the rotor is included in the liquid flow path upstream of the pump. 4. A dosing device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rotor is provided with a magnetizable material such as soft iron. 5. A dosing device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rotor comprises a permanent magnet for contactlessly driving the rotor by means of at least one magnetic field. 6. A dosing device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rotor comprises a plurality of arms extending in radial direction of the rotation axis. 7. A dosing device according to claims 5 and 6, characterized in that the ends of the arms form poles of the permanent magnet. 8. A dosing device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pump is driven by the rotor by way of a drive shaft of which an axial axis is directed in a direction from the inlet to the outlet. 9. A dosing device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing of the dosing device is of substantially rotation-symmetrical design. 10. A dosing device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dosing device is provided, downstream of the pump, with a valve included in the liquid flow path, which opens when the liquid pressure upstream of the valve exceeds a predetermined threshold value. 11. A dosing device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pump is constructed as a gear pump. 12. A holder filled with concentrate which in diluted form is suitable for consumption, the holder comprising a dosing device according to any one of the preceding claims. 13. A holder according to claim 12, characterized in that the holder comprises a bag formed from a flexible sheet-like material in which the concentrate is contained, and a housing in which the bag is received. 14. A holder according to claim 13, characterized in that the inlet of the dosing device is connected to the bag. 15. A holder according to any one of claims 12-14, characterized in that the housing is of more rigid design than the bag. 16. An apparatus for preparing a beverage suitable for consumption, the apparatus being adapted for use with a holder according to any one of the preceding claims 12-15, the apparatus comprising a magnetization unit for generating at least one magnetic field changing such that the rotor is contactlessly driven by the magnetization unit for the dosing device to dispense concentrate from the holder in a metered manner, and means for diluting the dispensed concentrate with water for obtaining the beverage suitable for consumption. 17. An apparatus according to claim 16, characterized in that the magnetization unit comprises a magnet and driving means for rotating the magnet for generating the changing magnetic field. 18. An apparatus according to claim 16, characterized in that the magnetization unit comprises a plurality of coils. 19. An assembly comprising an apparatus for preparing a beverage suitable for consumption and a holder according to any one of the preceding claims 12-15, the apparatus comprising driving means for driving the dosing device for the dosing device to dispense concentrate from the holder in a metered manner, and means for diluting the dispensed concentrate with water for obtaining the beverage suitable for consumption. 20. An assembly according to claim 19, characterized in that the holder is detachably connected to the apparatus. 21. An assembly according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that the apparatus further comprises a magnetization unit for generating at least one magnetic field changing such that the rotor is driven for causing the dosing device to dispense concentrate from the holder. 22. An assembly according to claim 21, characterized in that the magnetization unit comprises a magnet and driving means for rotating the magnet for generating the changing magnetic field. 23. An assembly according to claim 21, characterized in that the magnetization unit comprises a plurality of coils.