Source: https://patents.google.com/patent/EP2755537A1/en
Timestamp: 2020-03-28 12:35:09
Document Index: 737688350

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 201', 'art 201', 'art 203', 'art 203', 'art 201', 'art 203', 'art 201', 'art 203', 'art 203', 'art 201', 'art 201', 'art 201', 'art 202']

EP2755537A1 - Clean multi-system beverage machine - Google Patents
EP2755537A1
EP2755537A1 EP12759675.7A EP12759675A EP2755537A1 EP 2755537 A1 EP2755537 A1 EP 2755537A1 EP 12759675 A EP12759675 A EP 12759675A EP 2755537 A1 EP2755537 A1 EP 2755537A1
EP12759675.7A
EP2755537B1 (en
2011-09-16 Priority to EP11181682 priority Critical
2012-09-12 Priority to EP12759675.7A priority patent/EP2755537B1/en
2014-07-23 Publication of EP2755537A1 publication Critical patent/EP2755537A1/en
2017-03-15 Publication of EP2755537B1 publication Critical patent/EP2755537B1/en
235000013361 beverage Nutrition 0 title claims abstract description 67
239000004615 ingredients Substances 0 claims abstract description 104
FR 2 554 185 discloses a series of modular elements which can be combined together so as to constitute an espresso coffee beverage system. The modular elements are associated side by side. One element is a coffee producing module. Another element is a steam producing module. Each element comprises an electrical connection. WO 2007/141334 discloses a modular beverage disconnected from the circuitry of the docking station for an autonomous control of the module when the module is disconnected from the station.
a base having a fluid circuit for conditioning and delivering a fluid via a base outlet, in particular a fluid circuit connected to a fluid source and controlled by a control unit and comprising a pump and/or a thermal conditioner such as a heater and/or a cooler; and
a user-removable module having a module inlet disconnectably connectable to the base outlet and comprising a mixing unit downstream the module inlet for holding an ingredient that is mixed downstream such inlet with fluid fed into the unit via the base outlet and the module inlet to form a mixture that is dispensed via a machine outlet.
Typically, such the unit of the module is arranged to house a capsule of a flavouring ingredient, e.g. tea, coffee, chocolate, milk, soup, etc. or such flavouring ingredient in loose form. For example, the unit is of the type disclosed in WO 2005/004683, WO 2007/135135, WO 2007/135136, WO 2008/148601, WO 2007/042415, WO 2011/069830 or WO 2011/076750. Suitable examples of capsules and capsule handling mechanisms inside a beverage machine are disclosed in EP 1 859 714, EP 2 103 236, EP 2 205 133, and in the references cited therein. The unit may be a milk frothing arrangement, e.g. with a venturi system, for instance as disclosed in WO 01/26520.
As the module is user-removable, it is non- permanently connected to the base. In other words, it can be removed and replaced or substituted with another module by a user, e.g. a regular consumer, as a normal operation, i.e. without requiring any special professional skills or tooling as would for instance require a specially trained service or repair person. The module is neither welded nor glued to the base and not assembled thereto by any permanent mechanical assembly the disassembly of which requires a destructive operation, e.g. rivets, or a disassembly step which is non-obvious for a user that is not specially trained.
Hence, the module is arranged to be removable by a user for normal handling of the machine, in particular without special tooling or expert knowledge e.g. as used by servicemen. A reason for such a removal may be servicing or repair of the module and/or the base. Another reason for such a removal may be a substitution of a module of one type by a module of another type, typically for preparing with the same machine base and different types of modules compatible with the base different types of beverages and/or beverages from ingredients supplied to the modules in different types of shapes e.g. within capsules or pods or as loose ingredients, the different types of modules being all compatible for connection and operation with the same base. If follows that the machine with such a base and module (s) provides a great versatility of use of the module (s) .
The module inlet may be in fluid communication with the mixing unit via an anti-return valve and/or via a fluid conduit that has a ratio of length and cross- section that is sufficiently high to prevent a return- flow of the mixture from the mixing unit to the base outlet (under the normal conditions of fluid circulation during use of the beverage preparation machine) .
In one embodiment, the base has a base data interface and the module has a module data interface disconnectably connectable to the base data interface. The base data interface and the module data interface may be mechanically connectable and disconnectable along a direction of the connection and disconnection of the base outlet and the module inlet. Optionally, the base outlet and the module inlet define a direction of flow from the base outlet into the module inlet, the flow direction being generally parallel to the connection and disconnection direction.
In one embodiment, the base has a base connector block for mechanical connection to the module, the base outlet and the base data interface being borne, in particular fixedly borne, by the base connector block. The base may have a frame to which the base connector block is movably mounted. For example, the base connector block is pivotally mounted to the frame. The base connector block can be movable relative to the frame between an unlocked position for connecting and/or disconnecting the module to the base and a locked position for locking the module when connected to the base.
The invention also relates to a removable module for connection to a base of a beverage preparation machine as described above. The module has a module inlet disconnectably connectable to a base outlet and comprises a mixing unit downstream the module inlet for holding an ingredient that is mixed downstream the inlet with fluid fed into the unit via a base outlet and the module inlet to form a mixture that is dispensed via a machine outlet. The module inlet, the mixing unit and the machine outlet are configured to prevent that the mixture formed in the mixing unit contacts the base outlet via the module inlet .
Figure 2 illustrates the base shown in Fig. 1; Figure 3 shows a perspective rear and side view of beverage preparation machine according to invention having a base with a disconnected first module and a connected second module;
- Figure 4 illustrates the base and module shown in
Fig. 1 in a connected state;
Figure 6 illustrates the base with first and second modules of Fig. 3 in a connected and locked state;
Figure 7 illustrates the base and the first modules of Fig. 6 cooperating with a third module; and
The illustrated beverage preparation machine 1 comprises a base 10 having a fluid circuit for conditioning and delivering a fluid via a base outlet 11 and a base data interface 12,13, in particular a fluid circuit connected to a fluid source and controlled by a control unit and comprising a pump and/or a thermal conditioner such as a heater and/or a cooler. Machine 1 further comprises a removable module 20 having a module inlet 21 and a module data interface 22,23 disconnectably connectable to base outlet 11 and base data interface 12,13, respectively, in particular a module 20 having a unit for housing an ingredient to be mixed with the fluid .
Base 10 may have a frame 15 delimiting an inner cavity 15' . Frame 15 may form a structure for securing components of base 10, e.g. a pump, heater, control circuit. Frame 15 may be covered by outer panels or housing elements (not shown) .
Base 10, in particular a frame 15 thereof, may contain a cavity 15'' to which used ingredients and/or waste materials may be evacuated during use. Cavity 15'' may cooperate with a removable container 15' ' ' that collects such used ingredients and/or waste materials and that may be emptied whenever necessary. Such systems are for example disclosed in WO 2009/074559, WO 2009/153298 and WO 2011/086087, the contents of which is hereby incorporated by way of reference.
For instance, mixing unit 25 of removable module 20 has a first part and a second part that delimit a cavity and that are relatively movable between a processing configuration for housing in the cavity the ingredient and a transfer configuration for inserting the ingredient into mixing unit 25 and for evacuation thereof from mixing unit 25. The cavity can be arranged to enclose a capsule containing such ingredient. In the transfer configuration, mixing unit 25 may have: an ingredient insertion channel along which the ingredient is driven by gravity into the cavity prior to mixing; and/or an ingredient evacuation channel along which the ingredient is driven by gravity from the cavity after mixing. As mentioned above, the ingredient may be inserted pre-portioned within a capsule into this cavity. Such ingredient capsule may be of the type described above under the header "field of the invention".
f) one or more sensors for sensing at least one characteristic selected from characteristics of the heater, cooler, the pump, a liquid tank, an ingredient collector, a flow of the liquid (e.g. by a flowmeter), a pressure of the liquid and a temperature of the liquid, and for communicating such characteristic ( s ) to the control unit. Examples of fluid circuits are disclosed in WO 2009/074550 and in WO 2009/130099, which are hereby incorporated by way of reference. The heater may be a thermoblock or an on demand heater (ODH) , for instance an ODH type disclosed in EP 1 253 844, EP 1 380 243 and EP 1 809 151. Control unit configurations and connections are for example disclosed in WO 2009/043851 and WO 2009/043865.
As mentioned above, by providing a common direction 2 of connection and disconnection of the respective data interfaces 12,13,22,23 and the fluid inlet 21 and outlet 11 of module 20 and base 10, the combined connection system 11,12,13,21,22,23 can be physically secured, i.e. proper fluid connection and proper data connection, in one direction only. This improves the connection simplicity and reliability.
As discussed above, the pressure increase at inlet
21 and outlet 11 caused by the circulation of fluid therein, e.g. liquid pumped at 5 to 25 bar, can be absorbed (to prevent disconnection by pressurised fluid circulation) by the same fastening system along the same direction of connection of inlet 21 and outlet 11 and the interfaces . Base 10 can have a base connector block 14, as illustrated in Figs 1 to 5, for mechanical connection to module 20. Base outlet 11 and base data interface 12,13 are borne, in particular fixedly borne, by base connector block 14. As illustrated in Figs 2 and 3, a tubular section forming an outlet 11 extends through connector block 14. Likewise, connection pins 12 extend through block 14. Sensors 13, e.g. Hall sensors, are mounted in block 14 and connected on the other side of block 14 to an electric interface connector 13' .
Typically, module 20 comprises a mixing unit 25 downstream module inlet 21 for holding an ingredient that is mixed downstream inlet 21 with fluid fed into unit 25 via base outlet 11 and module inlet 21 to form a mixture (typically a beverage) that is dispensed via a machine outlet 26. Mixing unit 25 may be a unit for merely combining ingredients, e.g. milk or water with instant tea, chocolate, coffee or soup. Mixing unit 25 may be a brewing unit, e.g. for extracting flavouring components from an ingredient such as ground coffee or tea leaves. The fluid fed into unit 25 (via inlet 21) and mixed with an ingredient located in unit 25 is preferably prevented from contacting the base outlet 11. The fluid mixed with the ingredient is preferably prevented from contaminating those parts of base 10 that come into contact with module 20, e.g. outlet 11 and connector 14 as well as interface 12, 13, so as to avoid any contaminating transfer of fluid mixed with the ingredient from one module 20 to another module 20, 20', 20'' via base 10 when modules 20, 20', 20'' are exchanged on base 10. For instance, module inlet 21 is in fluid communication with mixing unit 25 via an anti-return valve and/or via a fluid conduit that has a ratio of length and cross- section that is sufficiently high to prevent a return- flow of such mixture (fluid and ingredient) from mixing unit 25 to outlet 11.
Module data interface 22, 23 can be arranged to communicate data to the base 10 via base data interface 12,13 for parametrizing the conditioning and delivery of fluid from the base outlet 11 into the module inlet 21. Parameters of different types may be adjusted in line with such communicated data, such as parameters relating to the temperature, pressure, flow rate or even the composition of the fluid conditioned and delivered by base 10 via outlet 11.
A beverage preparation machine 1 may comprise more than one seat 14' for receiving a module 20, 20', 20''. A base 10 with two such seats 14' side-by-side is illustrated in the Figures. Hence, simultaneously, two modules 20, 20', 20'' can be removably mounted onto the same base 10.
Different kinds of modules may be mounted simultaneously, e.g. as illustrated in Figs 6 and 7, to be able to prepare different beverages or combination beverages with the same base 10. A module 20, 20' may project over a recipient support surface 16, in particular an outlet of module 20,20' may be located above the space for placing a recipient 5, 6 as illustrated in Fig. 6. Module 20'' shown in Figs 7 and 8 may be arranged for producing conditioned milk, e.g. heated or cooled milk, and/or frothed or non-frothed milk. Module 20'' may have an upstream part 201 for the intake of heated or cooled fluid such as water, in particular steam, from base 10 via base outlet 11 and a module inlet. Such a module upstream part 201 may be connected and locked to base 10 following the same principle as discussed above in relation with the connection and locking of module 20. Furthermore, module 20'' may have a tank 202 for storing milk, a milk conditioning part 203 for exposing directly or indirectly milk from tank 202 to the fluid from base 10, e.g. in a venturi system contained in conditioning part 203. Module 20'' usually includes an outlet 26 for dispensing the conditioned milk, e.g. to a user recipient 6. Suitable milk conditioning systems are for example disclosed in WO 01/26520, the content of which is hereby incorporated by way of reference.
As illustrated in Fig. 8, module 20'' may have upstream part 201 that is disconnectably connectable to milk tank 202 and conditioning part 203. Upstream part 201 includes a fluid outlet 201' for circulating fluid to tank 202 and/or part 203 via a corresponding inlet 203'. Tank 202 and part 203 may also be mechanically secured to part 201 via the connection formed by outlet 201' and inlet 203' upon assembly thereof.
Furthermore, upstream part 201 may include a push¬ button 201'' or other interface for setting the characteristics of the desired fluid, e.g. water, delivered from part 201, usually via outlet 201'. Such characteristics may include the temperature (ambient, cooled or heated), physical state (liquid or vapour), pressure of the delivered fluid. The push-button or other interface 201'' may be controlled by a corresponding push element or corresponding interface of a device, e.g. tank and part 202,203, connected to the upstream part. The corresponding interface (or push element) of this device may be fixed or may be changed so that the fluid delivered to the same device may be adjusted, e.g. by the user, as desired when the device is versatile. Hence, the device may include a user-interface for inputting the desired characteristics.
Space 16 for placing a recipient may be used to position a larger module 20'', for example a module for storing and conditioning milk as just described.
When base 10 has more than one seat 14' for connecting modules 20, 20', 20'', two modules 20,20'' may have their respective outlets 26 leading into the same user-recipient 6, as illustrated in Fig. 7. Hence, a combined beverage may be produced and dispensed into the same recipient using two different modules 20,20''. For example, a cappuccino (coffee from module 20 with frothed heated milk from module 20'') may be prepared in a mug 6 without moving the mug during the preparation process.
a base (10) having a fluid circuit for conditioning and delivering a fluid via a base outlet (11), in particular a fluid circuit connected to a fluid source and controlled by a control unit and comprising a pump and/or a thermal conditioner such as a heater and/or a cooler; and
- a user-removable module (20) having a module inlet (21) disconnectably connectable to the base outlet and comprising a mixing unit (25) downstream the module inlet (21) for holding an ingredient that is mixed downstream said inlet with fluid fed into the unit via the base outlet (11) and the module inlet (21) to form a mixture that is dispensed via a machine outlet (26), characterised in that the fluid circuit of the base (10), the module inlet (21) , the mixing unit (25) and the machine outlet (26) are configured to prevent that the mixture formed in the mixing unit contacts the base outlet (11) via the module inlet (21) .
4. The machine of claim 3, wherein the mixing unit has: an ingredient insertion channel along which the ingredient is driven by gravity into the cavity prior to mixing; and/or an ingredient evacuation channel along which the ingredient is driven by gravity from the cavity after mixing.
7. The machine of claim 6, wherein the base data interface (12,13) and the module data interface (22,23) are mechanically connectable and di sconnectable along a direction (2) of the connection and disconnection of the base outlet (11) and the module inlet (21), optionally the base outlet (11) and the module inlet (21) defining a direction of flow (3) from the base outlet into the module inlet, the flow direction being generally parallel to the connection and disconnection direction (2) .
the base (10) has a base connector block (14) for mechanical connection to the module (20), the base outlet (11) and the base data interface (12,13) being borne, in particular fixedly borne, by the base connector block (14), optionally the base (10) having a frame (15) to which the base connector block (14) is movably mounted, such as pivotally mounted, the base connector block (14) being in particular movable relative to the frame between an unlocked position for connecting and/or disconnecting the module (20) to the base (10) and a locked position for locking the module when connected to the base; and/or
the module (20) has a module connector block (24) for mechanical connection to the base (10), in particular to a corresponding base connector block (14), the module inlet (21) and the module data interface (22,23) being borne, in particular fixedly borne, by the module connector block (14), the module (20) having optionally an ingredient mixing unit (25) that is fixed to the module connector block (24) and that is in fluid communication with the module inlet (21) .
parameterization data to the base (10) via the base data interface (12, 13) for parametrizing the conditioning and delivery of fluid from the base outlet (11) into the module inlet (21);
module identification data to the base (10) via the base data interface (12,13) for identification by the base of a type of the module (20) connected to the base from a plurality of different types of modules (20, 20' , 20' ' ) , such as different types of modules for processing coffee, tea, milk, chocolate and soup; and ingredient identification data to the base (10) via the base data interface (12,13) for identification by the base of a type of ingredient contained in the module (20) connected to the base from a plurality of different types of ingredients suitable to be processed by the module.
cooperating module and base connectors (12,22) for transmitting data in electric or optical form, in particular for transmitting ingredient identification data; and/or
cooperating module and base connectors (13,23) for transmitting data in magnetic and/or mechanical form, in particular for transmitting module identification data .
12. The machine of any preceding claim, which comprises a fastener or lock (4) for securing together the base (10) and the module (20) upon connection of the base outlet (11) and module inlet (21) and, when present, the base data interface (12,13) and the module data interface (22, 23) .
13. The machine of any preceding claim, which comprises a plurality of seats (14') for connecting simultaneously a corresponding plurality of modules ( 20 , 20 ' , 20 ' ' ) , in particular by a corresponding plurality of base outlets (11) , module inlets (21) , and when present base interfaces (12,13) and module interfaces (22, 23), optionally such a seat (14') may be connected to a module that is not connected to the base outlet (11) such as a user-interface module that is connected to the base via the base and module data interfaces when present.
14. A user-removable module (20) for connection to a base (10) of a beverage preparation machine (1) as defined in any preceding claim, having a module inlet (21) disconnectably connectable to a base outlet (11) and comprising a mixing unit (25) downstream the module inlet (21) for holding an ingredient that is mixed downstream said inlet with fluid fed into the unit via a base outlet (11) and the module inlet (21) to form a mixture that is dispensed via a machine outlet (26),
characterised in that the module inlet (21), the mixing unit (25) and the machine outlet (26) bweing configured to prevent that the mixture formed in the mixing unit contacts the base outlet (11) via the module inlet (21) .
15. The module of claim 14, wherein the module inlet (21) is in fluid communication with the mixing unit (25) via an anti-return valve and/or wherein the module inlet (21) has a fluid conduit that has a ratio of length and cross-section that is sufficiently high to prevent a return-flow of said mixture from the mixing unit (25) to the base outlet (11) .
EP12759675.7A 2011-09-16 2012-09-12 Clean multi-system beverage machine Active EP2755537B1 (en)
EP12759675.7A EP2755537B1 (en) 2011-09-16 2012-09-12 Clean multi-system beverage machine
EP2755537A1 true EP2755537A1 (en) 2014-07-23
EP2755537B1 EP2755537B1 (en) 2017-03-15
EP12759675.7A Active EP2755537B1 (en) 2011-09-16 2012-09-12 Clean multi-system beverage machine
CA2859057C (en) * 2011-12-30 2019-09-03 Nestec S.A. A multi-system beverage machine
US20170360244A1 (en) * 2014-12-24 2017-12-21 Nestec S.A. Interface system for a beverage preparation machine
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ES2384218T3 (en) 2006-05-24 2012-07-02 Nestec S.A. Capsule drilling module
PL1864598T3 (en) 2006-06-09 2011-07-29 Nestec Sa Modular beverage production device with docking station
US8549824B2 (en) 2008-06-20 2013-10-08 Nestec S.A. Capsule treatment apparatus
KR20120099760A (en) 2009-12-08 2012-09-11 네스텍 소시에테아노님 System, set of capsules and method for preparing a beverage by centrifugation
WO2011076750A1 (en) 2009-12-21 2011-06-30 Nestec S.A. Identification of beverage ingredient containing capsules
AU2011206623A1 (en) 2010-01-15 2012-08-02 Nestec S.A. Ergonomic service unit for beverage preparation machines
EP2525693B2 (en) 2010-01-21 2018-01-10 Nestec S.A. Beverage machine with removable liquid supply reservoir
KR20160039626A (en) 2016-04-11 Capsule based system for preparing and dispensing a beverage
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Ipc: A47J0031400000
Ipc: A47J 31/36 20060101ALI20160831BHEP
Ipc: A47J 31/40 20060101AFI20160831BHEP
Ipc: A47J 31/46 20060101ALI20160831BHEP
Inventor name: AIT BOUZIAD, YOUCEF
Inventor name: PHAN, MINH QUAN
Inventor name: AGON, FABIEN LUDOVIC
Inventor name: PERENTES, ALEXANDRE
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