Source: https://patents.justia.com/patent/9561900
Timestamp: 2019-09-21 15:04:53
Document Index: 80731166

Matched Legal Cases: ['Application No. 416705', 'art 256', 'art 256', 'art 255', 'art 256', 'art 255', 'art 255', 'art 255', 'art 255', 'art 256', 'art 255', 'art 256', 'art 256', 'art 255', 'art 256', 'art 256', 'art 256', 'art 256', 'art 256', 'art 255', 'art 256', 'art 255', 'art 256', 'art 255', 'art 256', 'art 256', 'art 256', 'art 255', 'art 256', 'art 255', 'art 256', 'art 255', 'art 255', 'Application No. 05781266', 'Application No. 05781266', 'Application No. 05781266', 'Application No. 200580031674', 'Application No. 200580031674', 'Application No. 200580031674']

US Patent for Cartridge, a machine, a system and a method for the preparation of beverages Patent (Patent # 9,561,900 issued February 7, 2017) - Justia Patents Search
Justia Patents Liquid Is AqueousUS Patent for Cartridge, a machine, a system and a method for the preparation of beverages Patent (Patent # 9,561,900)
Jan 6, 2012 - Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V.
The invention provides a beverage preparation machine comprising a brew head for receiving beverage cartridges of various heights and means for passing an aqueous medium through said beverage cartridges to form a beverage from one or more beverage ingredients contained in said cartridges. The brew head comprising a first part and a second part, the first and second parts being movable relative to one another from an open position in which said beverage cartridges can be received in the brew head and a closed position in which said beverage cartridge can be fixedly retained in a brew head space defined between the first and second parts. Wherein in use, beverage cartridges of various heights may be clamped in the brew head space between a distal end of a clamping member and the second part.
This application is divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/572,617, filed Jan. 24, 2007, which is a national phase application of International Application No. PCT/US2005/026459, filed Jul. 26, 2005, claiming priority to United Kingdom Patent Application No. 416705.2, filed Jul. 27, 2004, which are all hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.
It is known to provide machines and systems for the preparation of single servings of beverages such as coffee, tea and chocolate from cartridges contained a pre-measured quantity of one or more beverage ingredients. The strength of the beverage dispensed can be varied by diluting the ingredients or the brewed composition using a supply of water. However, with some beverages such as coffee there is a demand for stronger beverages and or larger quantities of beverage in a single serving. Attempts have been made to provide concentrated beverage ingredients, in granular or liquid form, to allow larger and or stronger beverages to be dispensed from a cartridge of fixed volume. However these attempts have generally not proved successful due in part to differences in taste between granular and liquid based, composition and compositions based on roasted and ground ingredients. Another solution is simply to use larger cartridges for larger volume beverages. However, this normally requires the use of a separate machine for each cartridge size or the utilization of complicated clamping mechanisms which can adopt separate modes for clamping different cartridges. This results in expensive arrangements which can be difficult to operate.
According to the present invention there is provided a beverage preparation machine comprising a brew head for receiving beverage cartridges of various heights and means for passing an aqueous medium through said beverage cartridges to form a beverage from one or more beverage ingredients contained in said cartridges, the brew head comprising a first part and a second part, the first and second parts being movable relative to one another from en open position in which said beverage cartridges can be received in the brew head and a closed position in which said beverage cartridge can be fixedly retained in a brew head space defined between the first and second parts, the first part of the brew head comprising a clamping member which extends within the brew head space part-way towards the second part such that a distal end of the clamping member and the second part are a fixed distance from one another when the first and second parts are in the closed position, wherein in use, beverage cartridges of various heights may be clamped in the brew head space between the distal and of the clamping member and the second part.
Advantageously, the clamping arrangement of the present invention allows for a simplified arrangement which accommodates beverage cartridges of various sizes using a single mode of operation. This, results in a machine which is easier to operate. In addition the mechanism is inexpensive and not prone to breakdown since the mechanism does not need to be altered or adjusted to accommodate different sized cartridges. The use of a fixed distance between the clamping member and the second part results in a uniform compressive force being applied to the cartridges irrespective of their size. This improves the consistency of operation of the machine.
In use, beverage cartridges of at least two heights may be clamped in the brew head space between the distal end of the clamping member and the second part.
The present invention also provides a beverage cartridge comprising a storage volume containing one or more beverage ingredients and comprising an outer surface having an elongated recess which extends towards an opposed surface of the cartridge a distance between 50 and 70% of the height of the beverage cartridge, the recess being suitable for receiving in use a clamping member of a beverage preparation machine, wherein the recess defines a clamping surface for said clamping member.
The storage volume for one or more beverage ingredients may be between 40 and 60 ml. In one aspect the storage volume for the one or more beverage ingredients is greater than or equal to 50 ml.
The height, of the cartridge may be greater than 25 mm.
Preferably the beverage cartridges comprise cartridges of at least two heights which may be clamped in the brew head spice between the distal end of the clamping member and the second part.
FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the machine of
FIG. 1a with some parts omitted for clarity;
FIG. 5 is another perspective view of the brew head of the machine of FIG. 1a with seine parts omitted for clarity;
FIG. 11 is cross-sectional drawing of an cuter member of a first embodiment of cartridge of the present invention which may be used in the beverage preparation machine of the present invention;
FIG. 15 is a perspective view from above of the outer member of FIG. 11 in at inverted orientation;
The cartridge 1 is particularly designed for use in dispensing filtered products such as roast and ground coffee or leaf tea. However, the cartridge 1 may be used with other products such as chocolate, coffee, tea, sweeteners, cordials, flavorings, alcoholic beverages, flavored milk, fruit juices, squashes, sauces and desserts.
A hollow inwardly directed cylindrical extension 18 is provided in the closed top 11 centered on the major axis X. As more clearly shown in FIG. 12, the interior surface of the cylindrical extension 18 comprises a stepped profile having first, second and third portions 19, 20 and 21. The first portion 19 is right circular cylindrical. The second portion 20 is frusto-conical in shape and is inwardly tapered. The third portion 21 is another right circular cylinder and is closed off by a lower face 31. The diameter of the first, second and third portion 19, 20 and 21 incrementally decreases such that the diameter of the cylindrical extension 18 decreases as one traverses from the top 11 to the closed lower face 31 of the cylindrical extension 18. A generally horizontal shoulder 32 is formed on the cylindrical extension 18 at the junction between the second and third portions 20 and 21. From the outside, the cylindrical extension 18 forms a recess in the outer surface of the cartridge. A clamping surface 18a is provided by the bottom of the recess as shown in FIG. 12. The use of the clamping surface 18a will be described below.
A lower end of the outwardly extending shoulder 33 is provided with an outwardly extending flange 3S which extends perpendicularly to the major axis X. Typically the flange 35 has a width of between 2 and 4 mm. A portion of the flange 35 is enlarged to form a handle 24 by which the outer member 2 may be held. The handle 24 is provided with an upturned rim 25 to improve grip.
The outer member 2 is formed as a single integral piece from high density polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyester, or a laminate of two or more of these materials. A suitable polypropylene is the range of polymers available from DSM UK Limited (Redditch, United Kingdom). The outer member may, be opaque, transparent or translucent. The manufacturing process may be injection molding.
As best shown in FIG. 18, the annular frame 41 comprises an outer rim 51 and an inner hub 52 joined by ten equi-spaced radial spokes 53. The inner hub 52 is integral with and extends from the cylindrical funnel 40. Filtration apertures 55 are formed in the annular frame 41 between the radial spokes 53. A filter 4 is disposed on the annular frame 41 so as to cover the filtration apertures 55. The filter is preferably made from a material with a high wet strength, for example a non-woven fiber material of polyester. Other materials which may be used include a water-impermeable cellulosic material, such as a cellulosic material comprising woven paper fibers. The woven paper fibers may be admixed with fibers of polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride and/or polyethylene. The incorporation of these plastic materials into the cellulosic material renders the cellulosic material heat-sealable. The filter 4 may also be treated or coated with a material which is activated by heat and/or pressure so that it can be sealed to the annular frame 41 in this way.
The inner member 3 may be formed as a single integral piece from polypropylene or a similar material as described above and by injection molding in the same manner as the outer member 2.
The laminate 5 is formed from two layers, a first layer of aluminum and a second layer of cast polypropylene. The aluminum layer is between 0.02 and 0.07 mm in thickness. The cast polypropylene layer is between 0.025 and 0.065 mm in thickness. In one embodiment the aluminum layer is 0.06 mm and the polypropylene layer is 0.025 mm thick. This laminate is particularly advantageous as it has a high resistance to curling during assembly. As a result the laminate 5 may be pre-cut to the correct size and shape and subsequently transferred to the assembly station on the production line without undergoing distortion. Consequently, the laminate 5 is particularly well suited to welding. Other laminate materials may be used including PET/Aluminum/PP. PE/EVOH/PP, PET/metalized/PP and Aluminum/PP laminates. Poll laminate stock may be used instead of die cut stock.
The filtration chamber 130 contains the one or more beverage ingredients 200. The one or more beverage ingredients are packed into the filtration chamber 130. For a filtered style beverage the ingredient is typically roast and ground coffee or leaf tea. The density of packing of the beverage ingredients in the filtration chamber 130 can be varied as desired. Typically, for a filtered coffee product the filtration chamber of the first embodiment of cartridge contains between 5.0 and 10.2 grams of roast and ground coffee in a filtration bed of thickness of typically 5 to 14 mm. Optionally, the interior 120 may contain one or more bodies, such as spheres, which are freely movable within the interior 120 to aid mixing by inducing turbulence and breaking down deposits of beverage ingredients during discharge of the beverage.
Advantageously, the inner member 3 spans between the outer member 2 and the laminate 5. The inner member 3 is formed from a material of relative rigidity, such as polypropylene. As such, the inner member 3 forms a load-bearing member that acts to keep the laminate 5 and outer member 2 spaced apart when the cartridge 1 is compressed. It is preferred that the cartridge 1 is subjected to a compressive load of between 130 and 280N in use. The compressive force acts to prevent the cartridge failing under internal pressurization and also serves to squeeze the inner member 3 and outer member 2 together. This ensures that the internal dimensions of passageways and apertures in the cartridge 1 are fixed and unable to change during pressurization of the cartridge 1.
The cartridge 1 is provided on the laminate with a barcode 320 as shown in FIG. 10. The barcode 320 is formed from a plurality of bars of contrasting color. Preferably the bars are black on a white background to maximize the contrast. The barcode 320 is not required to conform to a published standard but a standard format for barcodes, such as EAN-13, UPC-A, or Interleaf 2 of 5 may be used.
FIG. 22 shows a second embodiment of beverage cartridge 1 according to the present invention. Like components between the first and second embodiments have been referenced with like numerals. Many of the components and functions of the second embodiment of cartridge 1 are the same as for the first embodiment. However, it can be seen from FIG. 22 that the cartridge has a greater overall height compared to the cartridge shown in FIG. 21. The outer member 2 is taller and thereby defines a larger void space 130 in which a larger quantity of beverage ingredients can be stored. The second embodiment of cartridge is therefore suitable for dispensing larger volumes of beverage. The diameter of the outer member 2 and cartridge 1 are the same as in the first embodiment. Typically the storage volume of the cartridge 1 when assembled is 50 to 58 ml±20%. As with the first embodiment, the upper surface of the outer member 2 is provided with a recess having a clamping surface 18a located at a bottom thereof. According to the present invention, the separation, d, between surface 18a and the underside of the laminate 5 is the same as for the first embodiment. As a result, the elongated recess extends approximately 60% of the distance towards the laminate 5. This advantageously allows for a simplified clamping arrangement to be used as described below.
As shown in FIG. 1a the housing 210 contains and holds in position the other components of the machine 201. The housing 210 preferably made in whole or in part from a robust plastics material such as ABS. Alternatively, the housing 210 can be made in whole or in part from a metallic material such as stainless steel or aluminum. The housing 210 preferably comprises a clam-shell design having a front half 211 and a rear half 212 which allow access during assembly for fitting of the machine 201 components and can afterwards be joined together to define an interior 213 of the housing 210. The rear half 212 provides a recess 214 for the attachment of the water tank 220. The housing 210 is formed with means, such as detents, abutments, bosses and threaded portions, for retaining the components of the machine 201 in position without the need for a separate chassis. This reduces the overall cost and weight of the machine 201. A base 215 of the housing 210 is preferably provided with feet for standing the machine thereon in a stable manner. Alternatively, the base 215 itself may have a shape forming a stable support.
The brew head 250 is located towards the top of the housing 210 above the receptacle stand as shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b. Preferably, the height of the grill 274 relative to the brew head 250 can be adjusted to accommodate different sizes of receptacle. It is, preferred that the receptacle is as close to the brew head 250 as possible, whilst still allowing the receptacle to be inserted and withdrawn from the dispense station 270, so as to minimize the height that the dispensed beverage has to descend before contacting the receptacle. This acts to minimize spraying and splashing of the beverage and minimize loss of entrained air bubbles Where these are present. Preferably receptacles of between 70 mm and 110 mm in height can be inserted between the grill 274 and brew head 250.
The status indicators 243-246 preferably include a light emitting diode (LED) 243 to indicate readiness of the machine 201, a LED 244 to indicate if an error has occurred in the machine 201 operation, and one or more LEDs 245-255 to indicate whether the machine 201 is operating in manual or automatic modes. The LEDs 243-246 may be controlled to illuminate at a constant intensity, to flash intermittently, or both depending on the status of the machine 201. The LEDs 243-246 may have a variety of colors including green, red and yellow.
A manual power switch not shown) may be provided on the machine 201. Alternatively, power supply can be controlled simply by insertion or removal or the power supply plug from the mains power supply.
The water pump 230 is operatively connected between the water tank 220 and the water heater 225 as shown schematically in FIG. 8 and is controlled by the control processor. The pump provides a maximum flow rate of 900 ml/min of water at a maximum pressure of 2.5 bar. Preferably, in normal use, the pressure will be limited to 2 bar. The flow rate of water through the machine 201 can be controlled by the control processor to be a percentage of the maximum flow rate of the pump by cycle chopping the electrical supply to the pump. Preferably the pump can be driven at any of 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90% or 100% of the maximum rated flow rate. The accuracy of the volume of water pumped is preferably + or −5% leading to a + or −5% accuracy in the final volume of the dispensed beverage. A suitable pump is the Evolution® EP8 pump produced by Ulka S.r.l. (Pavia, Italy). A volumetric flow senior (not shown) is preferably provided in the flow line either upstream or downstream of the water pump 230. Preferably, the volumetric flow sensor is a rotary sensor.
The second part of the clamping lever comprises two over-centre arms 282, one on each side of the holder 251 which are each pivotably mounted to the upper part 256 at a second pivot point 285 located on the hinge axis 258 coupling the upper part 256 to the fixed lower part 255. Each over-centre arm 282 is a reciprocal member comprising a cylinder 282a, a stem 282b and a resilient sleeve 292c. The cylinder 282a has an internal bore and is rotatably mounted at one end at the hinge axis 258. A first end of the stem 282b is slidingly received in the bore of the cylinder 282a. The opposite end of the stem 282b is rotatably mounted to the U-shaped arm 281 at a third pivot point 286. The third pivot points 286 are unconnected to; and freely moveable relative to, the upper part 256 and lower part 255. The resilient sleeve 282c is mounted externally on the stem 282b and extends, in use, between abutment surfaces on the cylinder 282a and stem 282b. The resilient sleeve 282c accommodates shortening of the over-centre arm 282 but biases the over-centre arm 282 into an extended configuration. Movement of the third pivot points 286 towards and away from the hinge axis 258 is thus possible by relative movement of the stems 282b in the cylinders 282a. The resilient sleeves 282c are preferably formed from silicone. Whilst the illustrated embodiment uses two over-centre arms 282, it will be apparent that the closure mechanism my be configured with only one over-centre arm 282.
The U-shaped arm 281 extends around the front of the holder 251 and comprises two downwardly dependant hook members 287, one on each side of the holder 251, each comprising a cam surface 288 facing the hinge axis 259. The fixed lower part 255 of the holder 251 is provided with two bosses 259, or detents, located one on each side of the lower part 255 at or near a front edge 260 thereof aligned generally with the hook members 287.
As shown in FIG. 4, the U-shaped arm 281 may be formed from a one piece plastics molding comprising an ergonomic hand grip and the hook members 287 integral to the arm.
The upper part 255 comprises a generally circular body 316 housing a circular viewing window 312 through which a consumer can view the beverage cartridge 1 during a dispense cycle and also visually confirm whether a cartridge 1 is loaded in the machine 201. The viewing window 312 is cup-shaped having a downwardly directed rim 311. In addition, according to the present invention, the viewing window 312 is provided with a clamping member in the form of an inwardly directed tubular extension 500 as shown in FIG. 7. The extension 500 is directed towards the lower part 256 and lies within the volume of the brew head when in the closed position as shown in FIG. 6. The viewing window 312 is able to move axially relative to the body 310 of the upper part 255. One arrangement of accomplishing the relative movement is to provide a wave spring (not shown), or similar resilient means such as a rubberized ring, positioned between the viewing window 312 and the circular body 310. In an alternative arrangement, a series of helical compression springs (not shown) are provided extending between the viewing window 312 and the body 310. In both cases the resilient means allows the viewing window 312 to move axially relative to the circular body 310 by a small degree.
When the holder 251 is in the closed position, a distal end 501 of the tubular extension 500 of viewing window 312 bears against the clamping surface 18a of the beverage cartridge 1 biasing it against the lower part 256 as shown in FIG. 6 (in which the arrangement is illustrated containing a cartridge according to the second embodiment previously described). The pressure exerted by the tubular extension 500 on the outer member 2 ensures a fluid tight seal between the cartridge 1 and the holder 251. It should be noted that the height of the viewing window 312 and hence also the brew head is such that cartridges of various heights can be inserted. In FIG. 6 the arrangement is shown with the relative tall cartridge of the second embodiment described above. The same brew head can also accommodate the shorter cartridge of the first embodiment. In this case there will be a gap between the upper surface 11 of the cartridge 1 and the window 312. However the cartridge 1 is fully sealed at inlet and outlet by the pressure applied by the tubular extension 500.
In use, the upper part 256 of the holder 251 is movable from an open position in which it is orientated vertically or towards the vertical as shown in FIG. 1b, to a closed position in which it is orientated substantially horizontally and in interengagement with the fixed lower part 255 and cartridge mount 257. The upper part 256 is moved from the open to the closed positions by operation of the clamping lever. To close the upper part 256 a user takes hold of the clamping lever by the U-shaped arm 281 and pulls downwards. Consequently, the upper part 256 rotates which first brings the tubular extension 500 of the viewing window 312 into contact with the clamping surface 18a of the beverage cartridge 1. Continued rotation of the upper part 256 rotates the upper part 256 and cartridge mount 257 down into contact with the lower part 255. Further rotation of the U-shaped arm 281 causes the U-shaped arm 281 to rotate relative to the upper part 256 and the lower part 255 resulting in the hook members 287 of the upper part 256 engaging the bosses 259 of the lower part 255 with the cam surface 288 riding over the bosses 259. During this last stage of rotation the cartridge 1 is compressed between the cartridge mount 257 and the viewing window 312. As a result, the viewing window 312 is moved axially slightly relative to the circular body 310 of the upper part 256 against the bias of the wave spring or helical springs. This movement allows for a take up of tolerances in the beverage cartridge 1 and beverage preparation machine and ensures that the amount of compressive force applied to the cartridge is kept within an acceptable range. The clamping force of the mechanism as moderated by the action of the wave spring or helical springs ensures a clamping pressure on the cartridge. It has been found that a pressure of between 50 N and 280 N is required. It will be noted that a lower pressure level is possible with this arrangement without a deleterious effect on the sealing of the cartridge 1. During closure of the brew head the laminate 5 of the cartridge 1 is tensioned as it is brought into contact with the ledge 254a surrounding the outlet piercer 254 which causes the laminate 5 to flex out of plane as the distal end of the outer tube 42 of the cylindrical funnel is moved upwardly by 0.5 mm relative to the flange 35. This movement also ensures that the great majority of the compressive force applied to the cartridge acts through the central region of the cartridge 1 through the load-bearing inner member 3. These clamping forces help prevent failure of the cartridge 1 during pressurization and also ensure that the inner member 3 and outer member 2 are fully seated relative to one another and thus that all internal passageways and apertures remain at their intended dimensions even during internal pressurization.
In the closed position, the separation of the distal end 501 of the tubular extension 500 and the lower part 256 is shown by reference D in FIG. 6. This distance is fixed by the dimensions of the viewing window 312, body 310 and lower part 256. The distance D is chosen to be the same or marginally smaller than the distance d between the clamping surface 18a and laminate under surface of the cartridges 1. In this way, on closure of the brew head the cartridges 1 are subjected to a fixed, known degree of compression. In addition, both the first and second embodiments of cartridge can be clamped with the same degree of compression since distance d is the same for both cartridge types.
An imaginary datum line can be drawn between the first and second pivot points 283, 285 of the holder 251. As can be seen in FIG. 7, in the open position the third pivot points 286 are located on the side of the datum line nearest the fixed lower part 255. As the upper part 256 reaches the closed position, the third pivot points 286 of the clamping lever pass through the datum line joining the first and second pivot points 283, 285 to the opposite side of the line, furthest from the fixed lower part 255. Consequently, the U-shaped arm 281 ‘snaps through’ from a first stable position to a second stable position. The snap through action is accommodated by shortening of the over-centre arms 282 and consequential compression of the resilient sleeves 282c. Once the third pivot points 286 are past the imaginary datum line there recovery of the resilient sleeves 282c acts to continue the motion of the third pivot points 286 away from the imaginary datum line. The clamping lever thus has a bi-stable operation in that the lever is stable in the open or closed positions but unstable at the point when the third pivot points 286 lie on the imaginary datum line joining the first and second pivot points 283, 285. Thus, the snap-through action of the clamping lever provides a positive closure mechanism which leads to a definite closure action wherein in the final stages of the clamping lever's rotation, the snap-through action of the U-shaped arm 281 and second arms 284 forces the hook members 287 firmly into engagement with the bosses 259. In addition, the resilient sleeves 282c provide a resistance to re-opening of the upper part 256 since a minimum force is required to compress the sleeves 282c sufficiently to move the third pivot points 286 back into line with the datum line joining the first and second pivot points 283, 285. Advantageously, the interengagement of the hook members 267 and the bosses 259 prevents separation of the upper and lower parts other than by rotation of the clamping lever. This is useful in preventing opening of the brew head 250 during operation when the brew head 250 is subject to, internal pressurization.
The purpose of the recognition means 252 is to allow the machine 201 to recognize the type of beverage cartridge 1 that has been inserted and to adjust one or more operational parameters accordingly. In a typical embodiment, the recognition means 252 comprises an optical barcode reader which reads the printed barcode 320 provided on the laminate 5 of the beverage cartridge 1 as shown in FIG. 10 and discussed above. The optical barcode reader comprises one or more LEDs 321 to illuminate the barcode 320, a focusing lens 322 to acquire an image of the barcode, a charge coupled device (CCD) 323 for producing an electrical signal representative of the acquired image and support circuitry for the LEDs and CCD. The space in the lower part for accommodating the barcode reader is limited. A mirror or mirrors 324 may be used to reflect the light from the LEDs 321 to a focussing lens which is not located in the lower part 255. Schematic arrangements are shown in FIGS. 9a and 9b. The lower part 255 comprises an aperture 326 which is the same size as the barcode 320 on the beverage cartridge 1. The aperture 326 is closed by a window, preferably glass, which can transmit the signals produced by the barcode reader. In use the electrical signals produced are decoded by signal processing software and the results forwarded to the control processor. The software can recognize whether the read of the barcode contained errors, although the occurrence of these is minimized as described above by specific location of the barcode 320 relative to the inlet. The barcode 320 may be rescanned a number of times before an error message is presented to the consumer. If the machine 201 is unable to read the barcode the consumer is able to use the beverage cartridge 1 to dispense a beverage using a manual mode of operation. Alternatively, an RFID reader is provided to read an RFID located on the cartridge 1.
The brew head 250 may also include a lock sensor which detects whether the holder 251 is properly closed. Preferably the lock sensor comprises a micro-switch which is triggered when the holder 251 is closed and locked. Preferably the cartridge sensor and lock sensor are connected in series such that the output of both sensors must be satisfactory, i.e. cartridge present and mechanism looked, before the dispense cycle can be commenced.
The operational behavior of the machine 201 is determined by software embedded in the control processor.
The pause stage allows the beverage ingredients 200 to soak in the water injected during the pre-wet stage for a predetermined period of time. Both the pre-wetting and soaking stages are known to increase the yield of the extractibles from the beverage ingredients 200 and to improve the end flavor of the beverage. Pre-wetting and soaking are particularly used where the beverage ingredients are roast and ground coffee.
1. A method of dispensing a single serving of a beverage comprising the steps of: dispensing said foamed beverage portion from the cartridge into the receptacle to thereby form a cappuccino-style beverage; wherein the storage volume of the second beverage cartridge is between 40 and 60 ml;
providing a first beverage cartridge containing one or more beverage ingredients suitable for brewing in a storage volume;
passing an aqueous medium through the one or more beverage ingredients of the first beverage cartridge to thereby form a filtered beverage;
providing a second beverage cartridge containing one or more foamable beverage ingredients in a storage volume;
passing an aqueous medium through the one or more beverage ingredients of the second beverage cartridge to thereby form a foamed beverage portion;
wherein the storage volume of the first beverage cartridge is between 40 and 60 ml;
wherein the volume of the dispensed filtered beverage is greater than 400 ml;
wherein the volume of the dispensed foamed beverage portion is greater than 200 ml; and
wherein at least one of the storage volume and height of the second beverage cartridge is different from that of the first beverage cartridge;
wherein the step of providing a first beverage cartridge containing beverage ingredients comprises clamping the first beverage cartridge into a brew head of a beverage preparation machine, wherein the step of providing a second beverage cartridge further comprises clamping the second beverage cartridge into the brew head after removing the beverage cartridge containing beverage ingredients, and wherein the brew head is configured to accommodate beverage cartridges that vary in height or storage volume,
wherein the brew head comprises a first part and a second part, the first and second parts being movable relative to one another between open and closed positions, and
wherein the first part supports a resting surface of the beverage cartridge, and the second part presses against a clamping surface of the beverage cartridge in the closed position, and
wherein the first and second parts of the brew head are separated by a distance in the closed position that remains constant when each of the first and second beverage cartridges are clamped.
2. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the volume of the dispensed filtered beverage is greater than 600 ml.
3. A method as claimed in claim 2 wherein the volume of the dispensed filtered beverage is greater than 700 ml.
4. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the beverage ingredient suitable for brewing is roast and ground coffee, instant coffee, instant tea or leaf tea.
5. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the volume of the dispensed foamed beverage portion is greater than 300 ml.
6. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the foamable beverage ingredient comprises a liquid milk or milk-based product or chocolate-based product.
7. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein both of the storage volume and the height of the second beverage cartridge are different from that of the first beverage cartridge.
8. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first part comprises a clamping member, the clamping member being located at or near a center of the first part so as to clamp the beverage cartridge at or near a center thereof.
9. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein a resting surface and a clamping surface of the first beverage cartridge are separated by a distance that is the same as a distance that separates a resting surface and a clamping surface of the second beverage cartridge.
10. A method of dispensing a single serving of a beverage comprising: clamping a first beverage cartridge into a brew head of a beverage preparation machine, the first beverage cartridge containing one or more beverage ingredients suitable for brewing, the first beverage cartridge having a height and a storage volume;
passing an aqueous medium through the one or more beverage ingredients of the first beverage cartridge to form a filtered beverage component;
dispensing the filtered beverage component into a receptacle;
clamping a second beverage cartridge into the brew head, the second beverage cartridge containing one or more beverage ingredients suitable to form a foaming beverage component, the second beverage cartridge having a height and a storage volume;
passing an aqueous medium through the one or more beverage ingredients of the second beverage cartridge to form a foamed beverage component; and
dispensing the foamed beverage component from the cartridge into the receptacle,
wherein at least one of the height and the storage volume of the first beverage cartridge is different from that of the second beverage cartridge; and
wherein clamping the first and second beverage cartridges includes placing a resting surface of the beverage cartridge on a first part of the brew head and moving a second part of the brew head into a closed position, wherein the second part of the brew head presses against a clamping surface of the beverage cartridge in the closed position, and
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the storage volume of the first beverage cartridge is between 40 and 60 ml, the volume of the dispensed filtered beverage is greater than 400 ml, the storage volume of the second beverage cartridge is between 40 and 60 ml, and the volume of the dispensed foamed beverage portion is greater than 200 ml.
12. The method of claim 10, wherein a separation between the resting surface and clamping surface for the first beverage cartridge is the same as that for the second beverage cartridge.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the clamping surface of the first and second beverage cartridges is positioned in a recess on a surface opposite the resting surface.
14. The method of claim 10, wherein both of the storage volume and the height of the second beverage cartridge are different from that of the first beverage cartridge.
15. The method of claim 10, the first part of the brew head comprises a clamping member, the clamping member being located at or near a center of the first part so as to clamp the beverage cartridge at or near a center thereof.
16. The method of claim 10, wherein a resting surface and a clamping surface of the first beverage cartridge are separated by a distance that is the same as a distance that separates a resting surface and a clamping surface of the second beverage cartridge.
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Patent Publication Number: 20120177794
Application Number: 13/345,509
International Classification: B65D 85/804 (20060101); A47J 31/06 (20060101); A47J 31/44 (20060101);