U.S. patent application number 15/503862 was filed with the patent office on 2017-09-28 for packs for preparing beverages.
The applicant listed for this patent is NESTE S.A.. Invention is credited to Nicolas Jean-Guy Bezet, Silvio Butscher, Claire Dubesset, Valerie Vivier.
Application Number | 20170275090 15/503862 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51383558 |
Filed Date | 2017-09-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170275090 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dubesset; Claire ; et
al. |
September 28, 2017 |
PACKS FOR PREPARING BEVERAGES
Abstract
The invention concerns a pack (1) with an inner volume (2) in
which a food or beverage ingredient (7) is stored and in which a
beverage is produced when water is introduced inside, said inner
volume (2) being defined by sheets of material (10) joined to one
another at their edges and said inner volume (2) presenting a
generally plane shape defining a plane (P) vertically oriented
during beverage production, said pack comprising at least one inlet
(3) for introducing water in the inner volume and at least one
outlet (4) for delivering the beverage from said inner volume, said
water inlet and said beverage outlet being positioned at the bottom
of the pack and being at least partially positioned between two
joined edges of the sheets of material (10), the external end (xx)
of the water inlet (3) being oriented essentially perpendicularly
to the plane (P) defined by the inner volume (2), and wherein the
internal design of the beverage outlet is configured for
controlling the properties of the beverage.
Inventors: |
Dubesset; Claire; (Denens,
CH) ; Vivier; Valerie; (Divonne les bains, FR)
; Butscher; Silvio; (Chezard-st-martin, CH) ;
Bezet; Nicolas Jean-Guy; (Macon, FR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
NESTE S.A. |
Vevey |
|
CH |
|
|
Family ID: |
51383558 |
Appl. No.: |
15/503862 |
Filed: |
July 23, 2015 |
PCT Filed: |
July 23, 2015 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2015/066836 |
371 Date: |
February 14, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 85/8043 20130101;
A47J 31/14 20130101; A47J 31/407 20130101; B65B 43/02 20130101;
B65D 75/5883 20130101; B65D 75/30 20130101; A47J 31/369 20130101;
B65B 29/02 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 85/804 20060101
B65D085/804; B65D 75/58 20060101 B65D075/58; B65D 75/30 20060101
B65D075/30 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 14, 2014 |
EP |
14181043.2 |
Claims
1. A pack with an inner volume in which a food or beverage
ingredient is stored and in which a beverage is produced when water
is introduced inside, the inner volume being defined by sheets of
material joined to one another at their edges and the inner volume
presenting a generally plane shape defining a plane vertically
oriented during beverage production, the pack comprising at least
one inlet for introducing water in the inner volume and at least
one outlet for delivering the beverage from the inner volume, the
water inlet and the beverage outlet being positioned at the bottom
of the pack and being at least partially positioned between two
joined edges of the sheets of material, and the external end of the
water inlet being oriented essentially perpendicularly to the plane
defined by the inner volume, the beverage outlet being a tube
extending essentially vertically from the inner volume, and wherein
the internal design of the beverage outlet is configured for
controlling the properties of the beverage.
2. A pack according to claim 1 wherein the pack comprises one
single insert including the water inlet and the beverage outlet,
the single insert being positioned at the bottom of the pack and
being partially positioned between two joined edges of the sheets
of material.
3. A pack according to claim 1 wherein the internal design of the
beverage outlet is configured for limiting the presence of bubbles
in the beverage.
4. A pack according to claim 1 wherein the internal conduit of the
beverage outlet comprises at least one transverse plate with at
least two holes, the hole having a design configured for breaking
bubbles while the beverage flows through.
5. A pack according to claim 1 wherein the holes in the transverse
plate present a design such that at least a part of the outline of
each hole is rectilinear.
6. A pack according to claim 1, wherein the internal design of the
beverage outlet is configured for adjusting the size of the bubbles
in the beverage.
7. A pack according to claim 1 wherein the internal design of the
beverage outlet can be configured for dividing the flow of beverage
entering in the internal conduit in several separated sub-flows of
beverage at the end of the internal conduit of the beverage
outlet.
8. A pack according to claim 1 wherein the internal design of the
beverage outlet is configured for improving mixing of the beverage
ingredient and water before dispensing.
9. A pack according to claim 8 wherein the beverage outlet
comprises a static mixer in order to increase flow turbulence
inside the internal conduit of the beverage outlet and/or to
increase the path of the beverage flow in the internal conduit of
the beverage outlet.
10. A pack according to claim 1 wherein the pack comprises at least
two beverage outlets, the outlets differing by their internal
design.
11. System for producing a range of single inserts comprising at
least one water inlet and at least one beverage outlet for a pack,
the pack having an inner volume in which a food or beverage
ingredient is stored and in which a beverage is produced when water
is introduced inside, the inner volume being defined by sheets of
material joined to one another at their edges and the inner volume
presenting a generally plane shape defining a plane vertically
oriented during beverage production, the pack comprising at least
one inlet for introducing water in the inner volume and at least
one outlet for delivering the beverage from the inner volume, the
water inlet and the beverage outlet being positioned at the bottom
of the pack and being at least partially positioned between two
joined edges of the sheets of material, and the external end of the
water inlet being oriented essentially perpendicularly to the plane
defined by the inner volume, the beverage outlet being a tube
extending essentially vertically from the inner volume, and wherein
the internal design of the beverage outlet is configured for
controlling the properties of the beverage, the system comprising:
one single insert body comprising the at least one water inlet and
at least one hollowed out part for receiving one design adaptor
defining the internal design of the beverage outlet, and at least
two different design adaptors defining different internal designs
of the beverage outlet and configured to cooperate with the
hollowed out part of the single insert body.
12. System according to claim 11 wherein in the single insert body
the end of hollowed out part is closed by a plug, the plug
comprising a bond attached to the single insert body.
13. System according to claim 11 wherein design adaptors are tubes
presenting different internal designs.
14. System according to claim 11 wherein design adaptors are mixing
blades.
15. System according to claim 11 wherein the single insert body
comprises two hollowed out parts each being configured for
receiving one design adaptor defining the internal design of the
beverage outlet.
16. (canceled)
17. A method for the preparation of a food or beverage comprising
the steps of: providing a pack with an inner volume in which a food
or beverage ingredient is stored and in which a beverage is
produced when water is introduced inside, the inner volume being
defined by sheets of material joined to one another at their edges
and the inner volume presenting a generally plane shape defining a
plane vertically oriented during beverage production, the pack
comprising at least one inlet for introducing water in the inner
volume and at least one outlet for delivering the beverage from the
inner volume, the water inlet and the beverage outlet being
positioned at the bottom of the pack and being at least partially
positioned between two joined edges of the sheets of material, and
the external end of the water inlet being oriented essentially
perpendicularly to the plane defined by the inner volume, the
beverage outlet being a tube extending essentially vertically from
the inner volume, and wherein the internal design of the beverage
outlet is configured for controlling the properties of the beverage
and positioning the pack with the inlet and the outlet positioned
downwardly; injecting water into the pack to mix with the food or
beverage ingredient; and allowing the prepared beverage to escape
through the outlet into a receptacle.
18. A method according to claim 17, wherein the pack is not
pressurized during the beverage preparation.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to packs and machines for the
preparation of foods or beverages from packs comprising a food or
beverage ingredient.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] It is known to prepare beverages by introducing a capsule
containing a beverage making ingredient, such as ground coffee or
instant coffee, in a beverage dispensing machine and injecting
water into the capsule. The beverage making ingredient is extracted
or dissolved into water to form the beverage. The beverage flows
out of the capsule through a suitable outlet.
[0003] Different capsules have been developed in the past that can
differentiate at least by the nature of the capsule body used for
storing the food or beverage ingredient. Whereas most of the
capsules are made of a rigid body or semi-rigid body (e.g. made
though injection moulding, thermoforming, deep drawing, . . . )
flexible types of packs or sachets can be made out of foil
materials. Flexible packs have generally the advantage to
semi-rigid and rigid capsules that less amount of material is used
to pack the product which leads to overall less production cost and
lower life cycle impact shown in several life-cycle
assessments.
[0004] WO 99/05044, GB 2 374 856 and WO 2012/175985 describe such a
flexible pack made of two sheets of flexible air-and
liquid-impermeable material bonded on theirs edges to define an
inner volume for storing the beverage ingredient. The pack
comprises an inlet nozzle at its top for introducing water that is
mixed with the beverage ingredient inside the inner volume. The
beverage is evacuated through a beverage outlet at the bottom of
the sachet. The outlet is created further to bursting of the pack
under the pressure of water introduced in the sachet. Generally the
outlet is created due to the separation of the bottom edges of the
flexible sheets further to the effect of heat or pressure in the
sachet. According to a particular embodiment a spout can be
introduced at the bottom of the pack: in that embodiment, the
bottom edges of the flexible sheets do not separate and the
beverage is evacuated by the spout.
[0005] These flexible sachets present drawbacks. Generally the
opening of the beverage outlet is obtained by increase of pressure
inside the sachet. Yet this pressure increase is not recommended
for the preparation of some beverages because it creates bubbles at
the surface of the beverage; for example it is not desired for the
preparation of tea. Besides there can be a risk that the packages
may not rupture at the desired pressure and that it can finally
opens up in an uncontrollable explosion. For this reason the
apparatus comprises means for totally enclosing the pack in the
machine during beverage preparation and avoid damages or injuries
for the operator.
[0006] In order to be able to produce different beverages with
different textures from these packs, it has been proposed in WO
2012/175985 to fill the outlet channel by a filtration material for
filtering said beverage escaping from said chamber. The beverage
preparation machine is able to pinch said outlet channel in order
to create a construction and to optimize beverage quality and
brewing speed. Accordingly espresso or filter coffee or tea can be
produced.
[0007] WO 2011/024103 describes a pack for preparing a beverage
defining an inner volume for storing the beverage ingredient. The
inner volume is closed at its top by a rigid piece that integrates
the water inlet and the beverage outlet. Such a pack only enables
the preparation of flat beverages obtained by the circulation of
water through a food ingredient like roast and ground coffee
without pressure.
[0008] WO 2013/019963 describes a pack for preparing a beverage
defining at least one inner volume for storing the beverage
ingredient. The inner volume is closed at its bottom by a rigid
piece that integrates a fluid inlet and a beverage outlet. The
outlet of the cartridge can comprise a trouser valve, a retractable
tube or obstacles to improve mixing.
[0009] It is now proposed a new pack for the preparation of a food
or beverage that improves the above problems in terms of
manufacturing, beverage preparation simplicity and cleanliness
leading to an optimal overall beverage quality.
[0010] Moreover the present invention aims to propose a range of
flexible packs that can be used for preparing different types of
beverages presenting different textures, for example either flat or
foamed beverages.
[0011] Moreover the present invention aims to propose a range of
flexible packs that can be used for preparing beverages with
different textures, for example either flat or foamed beverages,
starting from the same beverage ingredient.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] According to a first aspect, the invention concerns a pack
with an inner volume in which a food or beverage ingredient is
stored and in which a beverage is produced when water is introduced
inside, said inner volume being defined by sheets of material
joined to one another at their edges and said inner volume
presenting a generally plane shape defining a plane (P) vertically
oriented during beverage production, said pack comprising at least
one inlet for introducing water in the inner volume and at least
one outlet for delivering the beverage from said inner volume, said
water inlet and said beverage outlet being positioned at the bottom
of the pack and being at least partially positioned between two
joined edges of the sheets of material, the external end of the
water inlet being oriented essentially perpendicularly to the plane
(P) defined by the inner volume, and the beverage outlet being a
tube extending essentially vertically from the inner volume,
and
wherein the internal design of the beverage outlet is configured
for controlling the properties of the beverage.
[0013] Preferably the pack comprises two sheets joined to one
another to define the inner volume. As a consequence the pack looks
like a pouch or sachet. The sheets are preferably flexible water
impermeable sheets. Consequently the pack itself is substantially
flexible. By flexible, it is meant that the sheets can be bent
easily. The resulting pack can be bent also; it is soft and can be
deformed contrary to rigid containers. The flexible sheet material
can be plastic laminates, metallised foil or alufoil or fibre base
material. According to the invention the two sheets can be formed
of one single sheet folded in half and joined at its free
edges.
[0014] The pack presents a generally plane shape that is
essentially vertically oriented during beverage production.
[0015] According to a specific embodiment the pack can comprise
more than two sheets, in particular to increase the size of the
inner volume. Other sheets can be joined to the two first sheets
that defining the inner volume and the generally plane shape
according to plane (P); said other sheets creates a doypack shape
for the inner volume. In such a specific embodiment the water inlet
and the beverage outlet are at least partially positioned between
two joined edges of the two first sheets of material that define
the generally plane shape (P) of the pack.
[0016] Internally the beverage outlet is preferably configured so
that it delivers the beverage as a free flow once it is opened. The
beverage can flow from the outlet by simple gravity fall. The tube
creates a communication between the inner volume and outside. An
advantage of the outlet of the pack of the present invention is
that there is no need to implement a particular connection between
the beverage outlet and the beverage machine when a beverage is
produced e.g. for directing the flow of beverage delivered at the
outlet. The beverage can flow from the pack beverage outlet
directly in a drinking cup.
[0017] The pack comprises at least one inlet for introducing water
in the inner volume and at least one outlet for delivering the
beverage from said inner volume, said water inlet and said beverage
outlet being positioned at the bottom of the pack and being at
least partially positioned between two joined edges of the sheets
of material, the external end of the water inlet being oriented
essentially perpendicularly to the plane (P) defined by the inner
volume, whereas the beverage outlet is a tube extending essentially
vertically from the inner volume.
[0018] According to this configuration the water inlet and the
beverage outlet are essentially perpendicularly oriented one to the
other. Consequently the inlet and the outlet emerge on different
sides of the pack. This configuration limits the contamination risk
of the means for introducing water in the water inlet by the
beverage dispensed by the beverage outlet.
[0019] In the present invention the inlet and the outlet can be
made in one single insert or can be two separate inserts separately
positioned in the pack.
[0020] In the present invention the insert(s) is(are) preferably
rigid. Preferably the inserts are made of a rigid plastic material.
This plastic material can be selected in the list of:
polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate and
polylactic acid. According to a less preferred embodiment the
insert can be made out of a metal like aluminium or tin-plate. The
insert(s) can be injection molded.
[0021] According to the preferred embodiment the insert comprising
the water inlet is positioned in joined bottom edges of the sheets
of material so that the water inlet is closed by one sheet of
material defining the inner volume.
[0022] According to another less preferred embodiment the water
inlet insert can be positioned in joined bottom edges so that the
water inlet is not closed by one sheet of material defining the
inner volume. In that case the water inlet insert is only partially
positioned between two joined edges of the sheets of material.
[0023] Generally, the insert comprising the beverage outlet is
positioned in joined bottom edges of the sheets of material so that
the external end of the beverage outlet is positioned under the
joined bottom edges of the sheets of material. Preferably the
beverage outlet is not covered by the sheet. Yet it can be visually
hidden by a part of the sheet e.g. by a skirt of the sheet.
[0024] According to the preferred embodiment, the pack comprises
one single insert including the water inlet and the beverage
outlet, said single insert being positioned at the bottom of the
pack and being partially positioned between two joined edges of the
sheets of material.
[0025] Preferably, the single insert is positioned in joined bottom
edges so that the water inlet is closed by one sheet of material
defining the inner volume. The external end of the beverage outlet
is positioned under the joined bottom edges of the sheets of
material.
[0026] Less preferably the single insert can be positioned in
joined bottom edges so that the water inlet is not closed by one
sheet of material defining the inner volume. In that case the
insert is only partially positioned between two joined edges of the
sheets of material.
[0027] In general the single insert is positioned at or next to the
middle of the bottom of the pack. It can also be positioned in the
corner of the pack when the latter presents a corner.
[0028] In the pack the water inlet and the beverage outlet of the
pack are both simultaneously included in said same single insert.
This feature covers the fact that the water inlet and the beverage
outlet are part of the same insert piece in the pack. Yet this
insert can be produced by the association of several parts before
the complete piece is used for manufacturing the pack. In
particular different parts can be attached, e.g. clipped, together
to form the final single insert before said single insert is used
for manufacturing the pack.
[0029] Preferably the single insert of the pack presents a shape
for cooperating with the pack receiving area of a beverage
production machine. In particular it can present a shape configured
for sliding in the slot of the receiving area of a beverage
production machine like an iron shape.
[0030] According to one preferred mode the pack can be made of only
one flexible material sheet, said sheet being folded at the top of
the pack and bonded on its edges to define the inner volume, the
bottom joined edge including the insert. This embodiment
constitutes a particularly easy way to manufacture the pack since
it requires the cutting of only one piece of sheet--most preferably
according to a rectangular shape--and its folding to create the
inner volume for the food or beverage ingredient. The insert(s) can
be introduced in the bottom edge during the sealing of the
edges.
[0031] According to a less preferred mode the pack can be made of
two flexible material sheets, said sheets being bonded on their
edges to define the inner volume, the bottom joined edges including
the insert. The insert(s) can be introduced in the bottom edges
during the sealing of these edges, two other side edges of the pack
can be bonded so that the inner volume is defined and beverage
ingredient can be introduced in said inner volume. Finally the last
edges can be bonded to close the inner volume.
[0032] The insert(s) can be positioned at any place at the bottom
of the pack between the both lateral sides of the bottom; it(they)
can be positioned at a bottom lateral side in particular a corner
if the pack is globally rectangular or at any place between the
corners.
[0033] According to the present invention the food or beverage
ingredient of the pack can be comprised within the list of: soups,
fruit juices, vegetable juices, bouillons, coffee, chocolate, tea,
milk or creamer, smoothies, purees, coulis, creams or a combination
thereof.
[0034] The food or beverage ingredient can be a soluble food or
beverage ingredient. Preferably the food or beverage ingredient is
a soluble food or beverage ingredient selected in the list of:
[0035] instant coffee powder, milk powder, cream powder, instant
tea powder, cocoa powder, soup powder, fruit powder or mixture of
said powders, [0036] a coffee concentrate, a milk concentrate, a
syrup, a fruit or vegetable concentrate, a tea concentrate, a fruit
or vegetable puree.
[0037] The powders can be agglomerated or sintered. The powders or
liquid concentrates can be mixed with solid pieces for example for
preparing soups with solid pieces.
[0038] The food or beverage ingredient can also be an infusable
food or beverage ingredient like a roast and ground coffee or tea
leaves. In that embodiment water extracts the infusable
ingredient.
[0039] In the preferred embodiment the external end of the water
inlet can comprise an inlet chamber, said chamber comprising an
evacuation end and said evacuation end being an injection hole
configured for directing water in the inner volume of the pack in a
direction almost perpendicular to the inlet chamber longitudinal
axis. Preferably the inlet chamber is globally horizontally
oriented. This chamber is usually configured for receiving a hollow
needle for injecting water. It can present a circular section. This
chamber presents the advantage of creating a distance between the
end of the hollow needle and the inner volume which stores the
beverage ingredient and consequently avoids the contamination of
the needle. Most preferably the chamber evacuation end is a hole
pierced in the lateral wall of the chamber.
[0040] According to one particular embodiment the water inlet is
configured for introducing water under the form of a jet in the
inner volume of the pack. By jet it is understood a stream of
liquid that comes out of the water inlet and in the inner volume of
the pack quickly and with force. So the water inlet is configured
for introducing water in the inner volume of the pack with a high
velocity. Preferably the water inlet is configured for introducing
a water jet in the inner volume of the pack, said water jet
presenting a velocity of at least about 20 m/s, preferably at least
30 m/s. According to said first embodiment the water inlet is
configured for transforming the pressurized water introduced by a
beverage machine in the pack in a high velocity water jet in the
inner volume of the pack. Such a configuration can be obtained by
placing a constriction in the water path in the water inlet to
reduce the size of the section of the water inlet. Due to the small
surface of the inlet section pressurized creates a jet of water in
the inner volume.
[0041] In general the water inlet comprises a hole presenting a
transverse section with a surface area equivalent to the surface of
a circular surface of diameter of at most 1 mm, preferably at least
0.24 mm.
[0042] The velocity for water emerging from the injection hole
usually depends from the pressure of the water introduce at the
water inlet. The invention generally applies for water pressurised
between 2 and 10 bar, preferably of about 7 bar. For such values of
pressurized water the water inlet generally comprises an injection
hole presenting a transverse section with a surface area equivalent
to the surface of a circular surface of diameter comprised between
0.2 and 0.8 mm, preferably between 0.3 and 0.5 mm and even more
preferably of about 0.4 mm.
[0043] But when water is pressurized at more than 11 bar the water
inlet preferably comprises an injection hole presenting a
transverse section with a surface area equivalent to the surface of
a circular surface of diameter comprised between 0.5 and 1.5 mm,
preferably of about 1 mm.
[0044] The small surface of the injection hole presents the
advantage of avoiding any back flow of liquid contained in the
inner volume of the pack through the water inlet.
[0045] For the same diluent supply pressure the surface of the
diluent injection hole can vary according to the nature of the food
and beverage ingredient inside the pack. In particular when the
ingredient is difficult to dissolve a smaller injection hole
creates a jet with a higher velocity which improves agitation and
dissolution in the pack.
[0046] Preferably the pack presents a plane shape oriented along a
plane essentially vertically oriented during beverage production
and the water inlet orientates the jet of water in a direction
comprised in said plane. The water jet introduced from the bottom
into the pack is developing into circular and/or spiral movements
creating turbulences, frictions and high contact surfaces between
the water molecules and the product particles. In average the water
molecules have several turns within the sachet until they leave the
sachet with the beverage. Packs with single insert placed in the
corner of an essentially rectangular pack also improve
reconstitution.
[0047] According to the preferred embodiment of the invention,
before beverage preparation step, the beverage outlet is closed at
its end. Generally the beverage outlet is closed by manufacturing
and is configured for being opened at beverage production step. By
"closed by manufacturing" it is meant that the pack is manufactured
with a closed beverage outlet. This closure guarantees hygienic and
shelf life protection.
[0048] According to said embodiment the beverage outlet can be
closed by a plug configured for being removed from the beverage
outlet to open it at beverage production and said plug comprising a
bond attached to the pack, preferably to the single insert, for
maintaining the plug attached to the pack after the opening of the
beverage outlet, said plug being positioned under the joined bottom
edges of the sheets of material.
[0049] Since the beverage outlet is closed by a plug, said plug
comprising means for maintaining it attached to the pack after the
opening of the beverage outlet, the plug does not fall in the
beverage during its production. The means for maintaining the plug
attached to the pack is usually a bond, said bond is preferably
attached to the single insert.
[0050] Preferably the plug is part the single insert comprising the
beverage outlet and the water inlet. Preferably the beverage outlet
is a pipe and the connection between said pipe and the plug
presents a mechanical weakness. This mechanical weakness can be a
narrowing so that it can be made easy to cut or tear off the plug
with a beverage outlet opening device of a beverage preparation
machine. This reduced transversal section of the connection between
the plug and the beverage outlet pipe creates a weakness. As a
consequence the fact of pulling on the plug, facilitates the
tearing of the material, of which the single insert is made of, at
the level of this connection. The plug can be pulled according to a
downwardly oriented direction or a laterally oriented direction or
a combination of these both directions.
[0051] Preferably the connection between the pipe and the plug
presents a smaller section than the plug upper surface and
preferably smaller than the pipe section. Since the plug upper
surface is larger than the connection section, it provides a
surface to have a hold to tear the plug or to anchor a pulling
device, for example to anchor a tearing device like the teeth of a
fork.
[0052] Preferably the bond is attached to the single insert for
maintaining the plug attached to the pack after the opening of the
beverage outlet is configured for being bent. Consequently after
being bent the plug remains away from the beverage outlet.
According to that preference the bond is usually made of plastic.
The bond can be made so thin that it is flexible. Once detached
from the plug it can be moved away from the beverage outlet easily
by a bond retaining device of a beverage preparation machine.
According to a particular embodiment the plastic bond can present a
notch in order to facilitate bending. So the bending of the bond by
the retaining device of the machine is facilitated and the bond
remains bent even if it is not retained by the bond retaining
device of the machine. Preferably the notch is positioned close to
the point of attachment of the bond to the single insert.
[0053] Preferably the bond is part of the single insert. According
to the preferred embodiment the single insert comprises the water
inlet, the beverage outlet, the plug and the bond of the plug.
[0054] The single insert is preferably injection molded. In
particular when the insert is injection molded, the design of the
injection molded insert comprises the plug and the bond. This
injection moulding of the insert including the water inlet, the
beverage outlet, the plug and the bond in one single piece enables
again to reach several aims with the use of only one material: the
plastic for producing the insert comprising the water inlet and the
beverage outlet is used to close the external end of the beverage
outlet.
[0055] According to the present invention, the internal design of
the beverage outlet is configured for controlling the properties of
the beverage. The internal design of the beverage outlet
corresponds to the design of the conduit of the beverage outlet.
The internal design acts on the beverage properties while the
beverage flows through the outlet. Although the preparation of the
beverage is essentially made inside the inner volume of the pack,
the beverage outlet enables the improvement of the final qualities
of the beverage while the beverage flows through the outlet.
[0056] Consequently if the beverage is not well dissolved or brewed
inside the inner volume (due to lack of time, due to the viscosity
of the product, the volume of ingredient to dissolve or brew) or if
the beverage presents a texture (for example bubble) that is not
desired, the beverage properties can be improved while the beverage
flows through the outlet.
[0057] According to a first mode, the internal design of the
beverage outlet is configured for limiting the presence of bubbles
in the beverage. Such a beverage outlet can be designed to deliver
a beverage without bubbles, which is desired for a flat beverage.
For example, tea is usually produced with a flat aspect devoid of
bubbles.
[0058] According to said first mode the internal design of the
beverage outlet can be configured for breaking bubbles of the
beverage produced in the inner volume while it is dispensed through
the beverage outlet.
[0059] According to said first mode the internal conduit of the
beverage outlet can comprise at least one transverse plate with at
least two holes, said hole having a design configured for breaking
bubbles while the beverage flows through. By "transverse" it is
meant a plane perpendicular to the direction of the flow of the
beverage through the beverage outlet, that is usually perpendicular
to the axis of the internal conduit of the beverage outlet.
[0060] Preferably the whole surface of the at least one transverse
plate in the internal conduit of the beverage outlet is pierced by
holes.
[0061] Preferably the holes in the transverse plate present a
design such that at least a part of the outline of each hole is
rectilinear. Even more preferably, the holes present a design such
that the outline of each hole comprises only rectilinear outline
parts. According to one specific embodiment the holes can present
the design of a triangle. According to another embodiment the
transverse plate can be a grid (a pattern of straight lines that
cross each other to form squares).
[0062] According to one embodiment the size of the holes in the
plate is such that the free flow of beverage through the beverage
outlet is almost not restricted compared to the flow of beverage
through the same beverage outlet devoid of transverse plate.
[0063] Preferably the internal conduit of the beverage outlet
comprise one transverse plate such as described above, said plate
being positioned at the end of the internal conduit of the beverage
outlet (according to the direction of the beverage flow through the
outlet).
[0064] If the beverage outlet is closed by a plug configured for
being removed from the beverage outlet to open it at beverage
production, the transverse plate is positioned above the plug in
the internal conduit so that it is not removed from the conduit
when the plug is removed.
[0065] According to a second mode the internal design of the
beverage outlet is configured for adjusting the size of bubbles in
the beverage. The internal design of the beverage outlet enables
the improvement of the quality and the quantity of the bubbles in
the beverage. More specifically the internal design of the beverage
outlet enables the dispensing of a beverage with bubbles presenting
homogenised size. For example this type of beverage outlet enables
the preparation of coffee with small size crema bubbles or of milky
beverages with milk foam at the top or fruit based beverages with a
top layer of foam.
[0066] According to said second mode the internal design of the
beverage outlet can be configured for dividing the flow of beverage
entering in the internal conduit in several separated sub-flows of
beverage at the end of the internal conduit of the beverage outlet
(according to the direction of the beverage flow through the
outlet). Preferably the sub-flows do not merge together and air in
between the sub-flows can be mixed with the beverage while it flows
in a drinking cup.
[0067] According to said second mode the internal conduit of the
beverage outlet can comprise at least one transverse plate with at
least two holes, said hole having a design configured for dividing
the flow of beverage entering in the internal conduit in several
separated sub-flows of beverage at the end of the internal conduit
of the beverage outlet (according to the direction of the beverage
flow through the outlet). By "transverse" it is meant a plane
perpendicular to the direction of the flow of the beverage through
the beverage outlet, that is usually perpendicular to the axis of
the internal conduit of the beverage outlet.
[0068] If the beverage outlet is closed by a plug configured for
being removed from the beverage outlet to open it at beverage
production, the transverse plate is positioned above the plug in
the internal conduit so that it is not removed from the conduit
when the plug is removed.
[0069] The holes in the plate can have any design, they are usually
circular.
[0070] Preferably the number of holes in the plate and the size of
the holes in the plate is such that the created sub-flows do not
merge together downstream to the transverse plate and air in
between the sub-flows can be mixed with the beverage while it flows
in a drinking cup.
[0071] According to a third mode the internal design of the
beverage outlet is configured for improving mixing of the beverage
ingredient and water before dispensing.
[0072] The internal design of the beverage outlet can improve the
dissolution of the beverage ingredient or the time of contact
between the beverage ingredient and water.
[0073] The beverage outlet can comprise a static mixer in order to
increase flow turbulence inside the internal conduit of the
beverage outlet and/or to increase the path of the beverage flow in
the internal conduit of the beverage outlet.
[0074] According to a specific embodiment the internal conduit of
the beverage outlet can comprise several constrictions along the
direction of the beverage flow through the conduit.
[0075] According to a particular embodiment the pack can comprise
at least two outlets, said outlets differing by their internal
design.
[0076] The different outlets can enable to the preparation of
different beverages, said beverage differing by their textures or
visual aspects.
[0077] Preferably in such a pack, the sheets of material on the
opposed sides of the plane (P) present different information
relative to the preparation of different beverages either with one
outlet or the other outlet.
[0078] Such a pack can be filled with soluble coffee and can
comprise two different beverage outlets, the first one for
dispensing a flat coffee without bubbles and the second one for
dispensing coffee with a layer of crema. On one side of the pack
corresponding to the opening of the first outlet by the beverage
preparation machine when the pack is normally introduced in the
machine, there is information related to a flat coffee. Whereas on
the other side of the pack corresponding to the opening of the
second outlet by the beverage preparation machine when the pack is
normally introduced in the machine, there is information related to
a coffee with crema.
[0079] Whatever the mode of the present invention and the internal
design of the beverage outlet in the insert, the insert can be
produced by injection moulding with the desired internal
design.
[0080] According to a variant the internal design of the beverage
outlet in the insert can be obtained by introduction of an
additional piece inside the beverage outlet of the insert.
Different additional pieces can be designed in order to get
different final designs of the beverage outlet.
[0081] According to a second aspect the invention concerns a system
for producing a range of single inserts comprising at least one
water inlet and at least one beverage outlet for a pack according
to any one of the precedent claims, said system comprising: [0082]
one single insert body comprising the at least one water inlet and
at least one hollowed out part for receiving one design adaptor
defining the internal design of the beverage outlet, and [0083] at
least two different design adaptors defining different internal
designs of the beverage outlet and configured to cooperate with the
hollowed out part of the single insert body.
[0084] This system of one single insert body and several design
adaptors enable the manufacturing of different single inserts for
the production of packs such as described above. Manufacturing is
optimised since only one mould is needed for the production of the
single insert body and then the internal design of the beverage
outlet can be finalised by the choice of the different design
adaptors to be introduced in the hollowed out part of the single
insert body and depending on the beverage to be produced from the
pack.
[0085] Generally the hollowed out part presents the shape of a tube
hollowed out from the top surface of the single insert body and
extending to the bottom of the insert.
[0086] Preferably, in the single insert body, the end of hollowed
out part is closed by a plug, said plug comprising a bond attached
to the single insert body.
[0087] The design adaptors can be tubes presenting different
internal designs or blades.
[0088] According to a particular embodiment the single insert body
can comprise two hollowed out parts, each of them being configured
for receiving one design adaptor defining the internal design of
the beverage outlet.
[0089] According to a third aspect the invention concerns a range
of packs such as described above wherein the packs differ by the
internal design of the beverage outlet.
[0090] In particular the range of packs can comprise different
outlets designed according to the type of beverage to be produced
and/or the beverage ingredient inside the inner volume.
[0091] According to a fourth aspect the invention concerns a method
for the preparation of a food or beverage comprising the steps of:
[0092] providing a pack such as described above and positioning
said pack with the inlet and the outlet positioned downwardly,
[0093] injecting water into the pack to mix with the food or
beverage ingredient, [0094] allowing the prepared beverage to
escape through the outlet into a receptacle.
[0095] Preferably the pack is not pressurized during the beverage
preparation. This effect can be obtained by opening the beverage
outlet before water is introduced in the pack or simultaneously to
the introduction of the water in the pack or a little bit after the
introduction of the water in the pack. Globally the beverage is
prepared with the both water inlet and beverage outlet being
opened.
[0096] In the present application the terms "bottom", "top",
"lateral", "horizontal" and "vertical" are used to describe the
relational positioning of features of the invention. These terms
should be understood to refer to the pack in its normal orientation
when introduced in a beverage preparation machine for the
production of a beverage as shown for example in FIGS. 4 and 8.
[0097] According to the invention "next to the bottom" means that
both the inlet and the outlet are positioned on the bottom edge of
the pack and/or on the bottom part of one of the lateral sides of
the package. The invention covers the different variants where both
the inlet and the outlet are on the same edge of the pack that is
both on the bottom edge or both at the bottom part of a lateral
side and where either the outlet or the inlet is on the bottom edge
and respectively the inlet or the outlet is at the bottom part of a
lateral side of the pack. According to the invention the bottom
part of a lateral side of the pack generally corresponds to the
part of said lateral side positioned below the middle part of the
pack and preferably closer to the bottom part of the pack rather
than the middle part of the pack.
[0098] In the present invention the term "water" covers any aqueous
diluent that can be mixed with a soluble beverage ingredient to
prepare a beverage, like water, carbonated water, milk. It is
preferably still water.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0099] The characteristics and advantages of the invention will be
better understood in relation to the following figures, in
which:
[0100] FIGS. 1a, 1b, 1c and FIGS. 2a, 2b illustrate packs according
to the present invention, each pack comprising one single
insert,
[0101] FIGS. 3a, 3b, 3c and FIGS. 4a, 4b illustrate packs according
to the present invention, each pack comprising two inserts,
[0102] FIG. 5 illustrates a variant of the pack of FIG. 1a,
[0103] FIG. 6 illustrates a method for manufacturing a pack
according to the present invention,
[0104] FIG. 7 illustrate a pack and its insert according to one
preferred embodiment of the present invention,
[0105] FIG. 8 is a variant of the single insert of FIG. 7,
[0106] FIG. 9 is a variant of the single insert of FIG. 7,
[0107] FIGS. 10a and 10b illustrates an insert according to the
first mode of the present invention,
[0108] FIGS. 11a and 11b illustrates an insert according to the
second mode of the present invention,
[0109] FIGS. 12a and 12b illustrates an insert according to the
third mode of the present invention,
[0110] FIG. 13 illustrates the preparation of a beverage with a
pack according to the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0111] FIG. 1a is a simplified illustration of pack according to
the present invention comprising an inner volume 2 in which a food
or beverage ingredient is stored. The pack comprises at its bottom
a single insert 5. The dotted lines correspond to the parts of the
insert enclosed inside the pack. The insert 5 includes
simultaneously a water inlet 3 for introducing water in the inner
volume and a beverage outlet 4 for dispensing the beverage or food
issued from the mixing of the food or beverage ingredient with
water. The pack presents a generally plane shape. It is oriented
along a plane P essentially vertically oriented during beverage
production as illustrated in the FIG. 1a. This plane shape is
essentially provided by the material that creates and designs the
inner volume 2 of the pack; this material presents the shape of a
sheet. Said sheet provides the plane shape to the pack. In FIG. 1a
the insert 5 is positioned at the centre of the bottom of the pack,
yet it could be positioned at any other position between the two
lateral ends of the bottom.
[0112] The internal designs of the water inlet and the beverage
outlet are respectively illustrated in FIG. 1b, which is a view
according to section B-B, and FIG. 1c, which is a view according to
section A-A. FIG. 1c shows that the beverage outlet 4 is a straight
vertical hole pierced in the insert 5. Preferably the beverage
outlet 4 presents a sufficient section so as to enable a free flow
of the beverage from the pack. The beverage can then freely flow in
a drinking cup placed under the beverage outlet 4. FIG. 1b shows
that the external end 3a of the water inlet is oriented so as to be
closed by the sheet of material that creates and designs the inner
volume 2 of the pack. Said external end 3a comprises and inlet
chamber 32. Said chamber present an evacuation hole 31 in its
lateral upward wall so as to orient the water flow, preferably in
the form of a jet, in the inner volume 2 inside the plane P.
[0113] The sheet of material that defined the inner volume 2 covers
at least the part of the insert 5 so that the water inlet 3 is
enclosed in the pack. Consequently the external end 3a of the water
inlet is closed by the material that defines the inner volume of
the pack. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1a a part of the
beverage outlet--that is its external end 4a--is not enclosed in
the pack.
[0114] This embodiment of the invention presents the advantage of
providing packs with inlet and outlet that are not in the vicinity
of each other. Actually according to this embodiment the inlet and
the outlet are on different sides of the pack: the beverage outlet
external end is below the bottom of the pack whereas the water
inlet external end is at the lateral side of the pack. Such a
configuration particularly avoids contamination of the means for
injecting water by the beverage flowing out of the beverage outlet.
Besides a beverage preparation machine providing simultaneously a
water injector and a dispensing area at the bottom of the pack
receiving area is more difficult to conceive and does not enable an
optimisation of the different elements of the machine.
[0115] FIG. 2a is a variant of the pack of FIG. 1a wherein the
insert 5 presents an L-shape and is placed in the corner of the
inner volume of the pack. The beverage outlet 4 presents the same
feature as in the pack of FIG. 1a. The water inlet is positioned in
the upper part of the L-shape insert. The internal shape of the
water inlet is illustrated in FIG. 2b that is view of the insert 5
according to section C-C. The external end 3a of the water inlet
comprises an inlet chamber 32 that is closed by the material that
defines the inner volume of the pack. The chamber presents a
essentially horizontal evacuation hole 31 in its lateral wall so as
to orient the water flow, preferably in the form of a jet, in the
inner volume 2 inside the plane P.
[0116] Although FIGS. 1a, b, c and 2a, b illustrates packs with
single insert 5, packs can be made with different inserts for the
water inlet 3 and for the beverage outlet 4 as illustrated in FIGS.
3a, 3b, 3c and FIGS. 4a, 4b.
[0117] FIG. 3a presents the same features as the pack of FIG. 1a
except that the single insert 5 is replaced by two inserts 5a, 5b,
one comprising the beverage outlet 4 and one comprising the water
inlet 3. The internal designs of the beverage outlet 4 and the
water inlet 3 are identical to those of the beverage outlet 4 and
the water inlet 3 of FIG. 1a, as illustrated in cross sections of
the inserts 5b and 5a according to BB and AA respectively in FIGS.
3b and 3c respectively.
[0118] Similarly FIG. 4a presents the same features as the pack of
FIG. 2a except that the single insert 5 is replaced by two inserts
5a, 5b, one comprising the beverage outlet 4 and one comprising the
water inlet 3. The insert 5a for the beverage outlet is identical
to the insert of FIG. 3a and presents the same internal design as
illustrated in FIG. 3c. FIG. 4b is the cross section of the insert
5b of the water inlet 3 according to CC and illustrates the
internal design of the water inlet inside the insert.
[0119] Whatever the type of insert in the packs, the packs can be
configured so that the external end 3a of the water inlet is not
closed by the sheet of material that creates and designs the inner
volume 2 of the pack. This embodiment can be due to the fact that
the external end 3a of the water inlet is closer to the bottom of
the insert and/or because the sheet of material does not cover the
full surface of the insert 5, for example the bottom edge 111 of
the sheet does not cover the lower part of the insert or presents a
notch that does not cover the water inlet external end. FIG. 5
schematically illustrates such an embodiment wherein only the top
part of the single insert 5 is positioned between and covered by
two joined bottom edges 111 of the sheets of material. The external
end 3a of the water inlet is not covered.
[0120] FIG. 6 illustrates a method for manufacturing a pack
according to the invention from a flexible sheet of material. First
the sheet of material 10 that preferably presents a rectangular
shape is folded in its middle and the superposed lateral edges are
bonded together which creates pouch with bonded lateral edges 112,
113 and a folded edge 114. The folded edge 114 can also eventually
be sealed to give a comparable aspect as the lateral edges for
aesthetic aspect. Then food or beverage ingredient 7 is introduced
in the pouch. Then the single insert 5 is placed between the two
last opened edges and these edges are bonded together and around
the insert to simultaneously close the pack, position the insert
and close the water inlet. According to a less preferred embodiment
the inserts of the beverage outlet and the water inlet can be
separated.
[0121] FIG. 7 illustrates a pack according one preferred embodiment
of the invention. In this illustration the bottom middle part of
the inner volume 2 has been made transparent to make the insert 5
apparent. The pack is preferably a planar sachet: it is oriented
along a plane P essentially vertically oriented during beverage
production. inner volume 2 is made of flexible material sheet
material. The sheet material is bonded on its edges 112, 113, 111
to define the inner volume 2. The bottom bonded edge 13 includes
the single insert 5: the fins 51 and the raising edge 52 around the
water inlet 3 on the lateral sides of the insert improves the
adhesion with the flexible material sheet during sealing.
[0122] The insert 5 is a single piece of material preferably of
plastic. It includes simultaneously a water inlet 3 for introducing
water in the inner volume and a beverage outlet 4 for dispensing
the beverage or food issued from the mixing of the food or beverage
ingredient with water.
[0123] The water inlet 3 presents at its external end 3a an inlet
chamber 32. This chamber is a hollow cavity; it is globally
horizontally oriented, that is perpendicularly to the plane P. Its
dimensions are configured for receiving the hollow needle of a
beverage preparation machine in order to inject water. The inlet
chamber presents an evacuation end in its upper lateral wall: this
evacuation end corresponds to an injection hole 31 (illustrated in
FIGS. 5 and 6) from which water can be injected in the inner volume
2. Due to the configuration of the water inlet the water can be
injected essentially horizontally at its external end 3a and, for
example, essentially vertically in the inner volume 2 of the
pack.
[0124] The invention is not limited to this particular design of
the water inlet. For example FIG. 8 illustrates a single insert 5
wherein the inlet chamber 32 comprises two evacuation ends 31 in
its side wall. As a consequence with such an insert water can be
introduced in the inner volume of the pack essentially
horizontally. In such an insert a part of the walls of the inlet
chamber is defined by the sheet material covering the insert.
[0125] Whatever the type of embodiment for the insert, the beverage
outlet is an essentially vertical pipe in the insert. It preferably
presents a diameter for dispensing the beverage under free flow.
The beverage outlet is preferably closed at its external end by a
plug 42. This plug is preferably made of one piece with the rest of
the insert.
[0126] In the preferred illustrated embodiment the beverage outlet
4 is a pipe and the plug 42 is attached to the end of the pipe. The
connection 44 between the pipe and the plug 42 presents a smaller
section than the plug upper surface 42a and smaller than the pipe
section. This connection creates a weakening narrow zone near the
plug 42 so that said plug can be made easy to cut or to tear.
[0127] The pack comprises a plastic bond 43 for maintaining the
plug 42 attached to the pack after removing of the plug from the
beverage outlet. Consequently it avoids that the plug falls in the
beverage during its production. This bond is made of one piece with
the rest of the insert. The plastic bond 43 presents a notch 43a
positioned close to the point 43b of attachment of the bond to the
single insert. This notch enables an easy bending of the bond it
guarantees that the plug 42 detached from the beverage outlet
remains away from the beverage outlet and not under the beverage
outlet.
[0128] The inserts 5 of FIGS. 7 and 8 comprise a centring hole 53
extending essentially perpendicularly to the generally plane (P)
shape of the inner volume and through the insert. It is configured
for cooperating with the centring and immobilization device of the
beverage preparation machine.
[0129] FIG. 9 illustrates the specific embodiment of an insert of a
pack according to the invention, the insert comprising two outlets
4, 4'. Each outlet 4, 4' is closed by a dedicated plug 42, 42'
attached by a dedicated bond 43, 43'. The outlets 4, 4' differ by
their internal designs (not illustrated). For example the first
outlet 4 can be internally designed for dispensing a flat beverage
and the second outlet 4' can be internally designed for dispensing
a foamed beverage.
[0130] Depending on the orientation of the pack in the beverage
preparation machine when it is introduced inside, either a foamed
or flat beverage can be prepared from the same pack. Information
can be provided on the sheets of the pack in order to help the
consumer to correctly orientate the pack in the machine and to get
the type of beverage he/she desires.
[0131] FIG. 10a illustrates an insert according to the first mode
of the present invention. Externally the insert presents the same
features as the single insert 5 of the pack of FIG. 7. FIG. 10a is
a longitudinal cross section view of the insert making apparent the
internal design of the beverage outlet. Internally the beverage
outlet 4 comprises an internal conduit 45. This internal conduit is
an essentially straight conduit. At the bottom end 45a of the
conduit the outlet comprises one transverse plate 61a with six
holes 61b presenting the shape of triangles. The triangles are
positioned one to the other so as to form a grid of straight
lines.
[0132] In the embodiment of FIG. 10a the surfaces of all the
triangles in the transverse plate is of about 6 mm.sup.2.
[0133] When a beverage flows through the pierced plate 61a the free
flow of beverage is almost not restricted compared to the flow of
beverage through the same beverage outlet devoid of pierced plate.
Yet the grid formed by the triangles breaks the bubbles of the
beverage when entering in contact with the plate.
[0134] The plate 61a is positioned in the internal conduit above
the connection 44 between the beverage pipe and the plug 42 so that
when the plug is cut or torn the plate 61a is positioned at the
bottom end of the beverage outlet.
[0135] FIG. 10a also illustrates the system according to the second
aspect of the invention. Actually the insert 5 is made of two
elements: [0136] firstly a single insert body 50 comprising the
water inlet 3 and at least one hollowed out part 500 extending
vertically from the top surface of the single insert body, The
hollowed out part 500 remains closed at its bottom by the plug 42.
[0137] secondly one design adaptor 61 defining the internal design
of the beverage outlet. FIG. 10b illustrates said design adaptor 61
alone that has not yet been introduced inside the hollowed out part
of the single insert body.
[0138] The design adaptor 61 and the hollowed out part 500 present
conformal shapes and dimensions so that the design adaptor 61 can
slide in the hollowed out part 500 and exactly fit inside to become
the internal conduit of the beverage outlet of the single insert.
Generally the design adaptor 61 and the hollowed out part 500
presents tubular shapes.
[0139] In the illustrated embodiment the design adaptor 61 is a
tube presenting a smaller length than the length of the hollowed
out tube.
[0140] According to another embodiment of the invention, an extra
transverse plate, similar to 61b, can be placed in the hollowed out
part 500, between the connection of said part 500 with the internal
conduit 45, for an extra foaming.
[0141] FIG. 11a illustrates an insert according to the second mode
of the present invention. It present the same features as the
insert of FIG. 10a except that at the bottom end 45a of the conduit
the outlet comprises one transverse plate 62a with six round holes
62b.
[0142] In the embodiment of FIG. 11a the sum of the surfaces of all
the round holes in the transverse plate is of about 3 mm.sup.2.
[0143] When a beverage flows through the pierced plate 62a the free
flow of beverage is divided in six sub-flows. Due to the rather
small size of the holes 62b the sub-flows are well separated and
air in between the different sub-flows is carried along the
beverage sub-flows and mix with the beverage creating foam in the
beverage. The holes in the plates are designed to create a shower
of beverage.
[0144] The plate 62a is positioned in the internal conduit above
the connection 44 between the beverage pipe and the plug 42 so that
when the plug is cut or torn the plate 62a is positioned at the
bottom end of the beverage outlet.
[0145] The single insert of FIG. 11a is made by the association of
the same single insert body 50 illustrated in FIG. 10a and of a
design adaptor 62 defining the internal design of the beverage
outlet. FIG. 11b illustrates said design adaptor 62 alone that has
not yet been introduced inside the hollowed out part of the single
insert body. Said design adaptor 62 presents the same external
shape as the design adaptor 61 of FIG. 10b in order to cooperate
with the single insert body 50 but it presents a different plate
62b in order to define a different internal design of the beverage
outlet 4.
[0146] According to another embodiment of the invention, an extra
transverse plate, similar to 62b, can be placed in the hollowed out
part 500, between the connection of said part 500 with the internal
conduit 45, for an extra foaming.
[0147] FIG. 12a illustrates an insert according to the third mode
of the present invention. It present the same features as the
insert of FIG. 10a except that at the internal design of the
beverage outlet comprises a mixing device 63 consisting in mixing
blades. In the illustrated embodiment the mixing blades are
hellicoidal blades 631, 631' positioned around a longitudinal axis
632.
[0148] When a beverage flows through the beverage outlet, a
turbulent flow is created by the mixing blades 631, 631' which
increase mixing and dissolution in the beverage before is dispensed
at the bottom of the beverage outlet.
[0149] The single insert of FIG. 12a is made by the association of
the same single insert body 50 illustrated in FIG. 10a and of a
design adaptor 63 defining the internal design of the beverage
outlet. FIG. 12b illustrates said design adaptor 63 alone that has
not been introduced inside the hollowed out part of the single
insert body.
[0150] FIG. 13 illustrates the interaction of a pack 1 according to
the present invention with a beverage preparation machine 8
according to the present invention. The machine comprises at least:
[0151] a water tank 84, [0152] a heater 83 for heating water,
[0153] a bypass line 87 for delivering ambient water, [0154] a
valve (not illustrated) for the selection of either hot or ambient
water, [0155] a pump 82 for pumping water. The pump can deliver
water at a pressure comprised between 2 and 10 bar. [0156] a water
nozzle or needle 81 for injecting water in the water inlet of the
pack 1.
[0157] Preferably the machine comprises a drip tray 86 on which a
drinking cup 9 can be positioned under the beverage outlet of the
pack when a beverage is prepared.
[0158] The machine comprises an area (not illustrated) for
receiving the pack that is configured so that the pack 1 is
positioned with the single insert positioned at the bottom of the
pack. The pack can be well centred and immobilised in the receiving
area by a rod (not illustrated) configured for sliding in the
centring hole 53 of the single insert (illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5,
6).
[0159] Preferably the pack is not pressurized during the beverage
preparation. This effect can be obtained by opening the beverage
outlet before water is introduced in the pack or simultaneously to
the introduction of the water in the pack or a little bit after the
introduction of the water in the pack. Consequently globally the
beverage is prepared with the both water inlet and beverage outlet
being opened. The opening of the water inlet is usually made by a
needle 81 for introducing water. As for the beverage outlet it can
be opened by the machine when the pack is placed inside or by the
user manually. The illustrated machine comprises a beverage outlet
opening means 85, for example a cutter for removing the plug 42 of
the beverage outlet of the pack 1 when the pack presents a plug at
the beverage outlet. The cutter 85 can be positioned so that the
plug of the beverage outlet is automatically cut when the pack is
introduced in the machine or when the beverage preparation is
activated.
[0160] The present invention presents the advantage of proposing a
range of packs for producing different beverages presenting various
textures and aspects.
[0161] The present invention presents the advantage of proposing a
range of packs for producing the same beverage (for example coffee)
with different textures and aspects (for example flat or
foamed).
* * * * *