• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
  • 引用文献
  • 法律状态
  • 优先权
    • 专利摘要:
    beverage preparation system. The present invention relates to a machine for preparing beverages (1), comprising: (i) a reservoir (2) for a fluid, (ii) an infusion head (3) adapted to receive at least one capsule of ingredients, (iii) a pump for pumping a predetermined volume of said fluid from said reservoir to said infusion head, so that said fluid can be injected into said capsule to mix with said ingredient under pressure and produce a predetermined volume of beverage, (iv) a heating element for optionally heating said fluid pumped from said reservoir, before it enters the capsule, (v) an electronic control board capable of receiving commands from a control panel (5) of the machine and activate the operation of the pump, heating element, control panel and/or brewing head, characterized in that said control panel (5) comprises in combination: - a rotating wheel (6), which isconnected to the control plate, so that by rotation and/or tightening of the wheel, a beverage preparation parameter is set on said control plate, and - illuminated means (7), at least a part of which is shaped like a schematic cup (9), which is connected to said control plate, so that the state of said beverage preparation parameter within said control plate is represented on said means (7).
    公开号:BR112013029978B1
    申请号:R112013029978-9
    申请日:2012-05-25
    公开日:2021-08-24
    发明作者:Anders Bror Vestreli；Samuel Odet；Christian Talon；Hanspeter Pleisch；Jean-Luc Denisart；Laurent Seydoux
    申请人:Société des Produits Nestlé S.A.；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    AREA OF INVENTION
    [001] The present invention relates to a beverage preparation system, particularly a system comprising a beverage preparation machine and a capsule, which contains a beverage preparation ingredient, said capsule being configured to be inserted in said machine for preparing a beverage by mixing under pressure a fluid and said ingredient in the capsule. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
    [002] Beverage preparation machines are well known in food science and in the field of goods and consumption. These machines enable a consumer to prepare a certain type of beverage at home, for example, a coffee-based beverage, for example, an espresso or a cup of brewed coffee.
    [003] Currently, most machines for preparation of beverages for the preparation of beverages at home comprise a system made of a machine that can receive dosed ingredients for the preparation of the beverage. These portions can be soft shells or pads, or sachets, but more and more systems use semi-rigid or rigid portions, such as hard shells or capsules. Next, let us consider that the beverage machine of the invention is a beverage preparation machine that works with a semi-rigid or rigid capsule.
    [004] The machine comprises a receptacle for housing said capsule and an injection and fluid system for injecting a fluid, preferably water, under pressure in said capsule. Water injected under pressure in the capsule, for the preparation of a coffee beverage according to the present invention, is preferably hot, i.e. at a temperature above 70°C. However, in some special cases, it can also be at room temperature. The pressure inside the capsule chamber during extraction and/or dissolution of the capsule contents is typically about 1 to 6 bar for dissolution products, 2 to 12 bar for roasting and ground coffee extraction. This preparation process is very different from the so-called "infusion" process of preparing beverages - particularly for tea and coffee, in that the infusion involves a long time of infusing the ingredient by a fluid (eg hot water), while the beverage preparation process enables a consumer to prepare a beverage, eg coffee, within a few seconds.
    [005] The principle of extracting, infusing and/or dissolving the contents of a closed capsule under pressure is known and typically consists of confining the capsule in a receptacle of a machine, injecting a quantity of pressurized water into the capsule, in general after pierce a face of the capsule with a piercing injection element, such as a machine-mounted fluid injection aid, so as to create a pressurized environment within the capsule or to extract the substance or dissolve it, and then extract the substance substance dissolved through the capsule. Capsules that enable the application of this principle have already been described, for example, in the applicant's European patent EP 1 472 156 B1 and EP 1 784 344 B1.
    [006] Machines that enable the application of this principle have already been described, for example, in patents CH 605 293 and EP 242 556. According to these documents, the machine comprises a receptacle for the capsule and a perforation and injection element made in the shape of a hollow needle, which comprises in its distal region one or more orifices for injection of liquid. The needle has a dual function in that it opens the top of the capsule, on the one hand, and that it forms the water inlet channel in the capsule, on the other hand. In many cases, the capsule is inserted into the capsule holder, which is preferably (but not necessarily) removable from the machine. The capsule holder loaded with the capsule is then inserted into the machine. Using a capsule holder to load the capsule into the machine is, however, not mandatory, as the capsule can also be loaded directly into an opening.
    [007] The machine also comprises a fluid tank - in most cases, this fluid is water - to store the fluid that is used to dissolve and/or infuse and/or extract under pressure the ingredient(s)( s) contained in the capsule. The machine comprises a heating element, such as a boiler or a heat exchanger, which is capable of heating used water in it to working temperatures (classically, temperatures up to 80-90°C). Finally, the machine comprises a pump element to circulate water from the tank to the capsule, optionally, through the heating element. The way in which the water circulates within the machine is selected by means of a selection valve means, such as, for example, a peristaltic valve of the type described in the applicant's European patent application EP 21626653 A1.
    [008] When the beverage to be prepared is coffee, an interesting way to prepare said coffee is to make available to the consumer a capsule containing roast and ground coffee powder, which must be extracted with hot water injected into it.
    [009] Capsules have been developed for this application, which are described and claimed in the applicant's European patent EP 1 784 344 B1 or in the European patent application EP 2 062 831.
    [010] In summary, these capsules typically comprise: - a hollow body and an injection wall, which is impermeable to liquids and to air and which is fixed to the body and adapted to be pierced, for example, by an injection needle of the machine, - a chamber containing a layer of roast and ground coffee to be extracted, - an aluminum membrane arranged at the lower end of the capsule, closing said capsule, to maintain the internal pressure in the chamber, said membrane being associated with perforation means for drilling distribution holes in said aluminum membrane when said internal pressure within the chamber reaches a predetermined value, - optionally, means configured to fragment the fluid jet, so as to reduce the velocity of the jet of fluid. fluid injected into the capsule and distribute the fluid through the layer of substance at a reduced rate.
    [011] Machines and capsules for preparing beverages as described above, many of them are configured to give the consumer the choice of preparing the beverage he likes among a whole range of beverage products.
    [012] For each type of beverage, the dose of ingredients contained in a capsule is carefully dosed to correspond to a volume to be distributed in the cup. This volume is optimized to ensure an optimal organoleptic profile, in terms of flavors, aromas and texture.
    [013] Some machines are automatically adjusted by recognition of the type of capsule, so that the machine adapts the volume of the drink that is distributed in the cup, depending on the drink being prepared. Other machines can be programmed manually so that the user can select a small cup or large cup dispensing, whatever the type of beverage.
    [014] These machines, however, have the disadvantage that they do not have the flexibility to give easy access to selection and volume in each portion served: automatic machines do not give the consumer any possibility to deviate from the previously programmed distribution volume, and programmable machines need to be reprogrammed each time the user wants to adapt the cup size. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
    [015] The disadvantages of known beverage preparation systems, such as those presented above, are solved by the present invention with a machine for preparing beverages, comprising: (I) a reservoir for a fluid, (II) an adapted brewing head for receiving at least one ingredient capsule, (III) a pump for pumping a predetermined volume of said fluid from said reservoir to said infusion head, so that said fluid can be injected into said capsule to mix with said ingredient under pressure and producing a predetermined volume of beverage, (IV) a heating element for optionally heating said pumped fluid from said reservoir, before it enters the capsule, (V) an electronic control board capable of receiving commands from a machine control panel and activate the operation of the pump, heating element, control panel and/or infusion head, characterized by the fact that the aforementioned control panel comprises, in combination: - a rotating wheel which is connected to the control plate, so that when turning the wheel, a beverage preparation parameter is set on said control plate, and - illuminated means, at least one parts of which are in the form of a schematic cup, which is connected to said control board, so that the state of said beverage preparation parameter within said control board is represented on said means.
    [016] The schematic cup can have any shape, as long as it schematically represents a volume to be distributed in an empty container. The shape can be a rectangle made of overlapping bars or a series of dots (in a line, arc, circle or other shape). The format can be vertical, horizontal or positioned in any other direction.
    [017] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the drink preparation parameter comprises a volume to be pumped from the reservoir, to be represented in the illuminated medium as a fraction of the total volume of said schematic cup. This volume V corresponds to the volume of the drink that will eventually be distributed in the cup, with the difference of a small volume of drink that can be in the ingredients capsule and also in part of the machine tubes, for example, between 1 and 10cl, preferably , between 1 and 5 cl (the final volume in the cup is slightly less than the initial volume of water pumped from the reservoir).
    [018] Particularly preferably, the volume V preferably corresponds to a volume of prepared drink, which consists of between 10 and 400 ml, preferably between 30 and 300 ml, especially preferably between 50 and 250 ml .
    [019] Advantageously, said wheel may comprise a degree of release of the pushbutton, so that a consumer can press the same as a pushbutton.
    [020] Particularly preferably, in this case, said wheel is the only control button for the machine, serving as: (i) a rotary selector, for selecting at least one beverage preparation parameter, and (ii) a selector of push-button, to confirm or cancel each of said beverage preparation parameters, and start an infusion cycle.
    [021] For example, a user to adjust a drink preparation parameter by turning the wheel and confirm the adjustment by a short pressure on the wheel, when the adjustment satisfies the user's needs, an infusion cycle can be started by a short pressure additional on the wheel. In case the adjustment does not satisfy the user's needs, it can be canceled by a long press on the wheel. The same adjustment process can similarly be used to adjust and confirm another parameter, such that additional pressure on the wheel initiates a beverage preparation (i.e., brewing) cycle. Preferably, in this case, the number of several parameters is quite limited, to shorten and simplify the use of the machine. Especially preferably, no more than two parameters are to be set.
    [022] This control panel configuration, which comprises a single control switch (ie the wheel), is particularly simple, intuitive and easy to use, compared to beverage preparation machines with a control panel with more than one single command switch; it solves the disadvantages of fully automatic or manual technique machines.
    [023] Alternatively, the machine control panel may comprise, in addition to the selector wheel, at least one other selector for pumping fluid from the reservoir: either directly into the capsule or through said heating element, so that said incoming fluid in said capsule is hot.
    [024] Particularly preferably, said selector comprises a pressure switch for pumping water at room temperature and another pressure switch for pumping water to be heated.
    [025] In a first alternative modality of the present invention, said illuminated medium comprises a plurality of backlit LED (Light Emtting Diodes) lamps, in the form of: bars, dots and/or in a frustoconical shape, and said lamps LED lights are arranged to represent a cup shape.
    [026] In a second alternative embodiment of the present invention, said illuminated means comprises a screen in black and white or in color LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) or AMOLED (Active-Matrix Light- Emitting Diode).
    [027] Advantageously, the swivel wheel may comprise rotation locking means to prevent said wheel from rotating for more than half a rotation, preferably more than a quarter of a rotation.
    [028] In addition, said wheel preferably comprises means of clicking, to produce audible and/or touch-sensitive feedback during rotation, in order to give a sensitive feedback to the user during the adjustment of the parameter(s) ( s) of the machine. Preferably, each audible click produced by the rotating wheel during rotation corresponds to an increment in the parameter being adjusted by the rotation.
    [029] Advantageously, the wheel can be illuminated. In this case, it is made of translucent material and comprises at least one LED disposed within it, or similar light source.
    [030] In an especially preferred embodiment of the present invention, said wheel protrudes from the surface of the machine, so as to be easy to feel and manipulate by the user's finger. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
    [031] Other features and advantages of the present invention are described and are evident from the description of the currently preferred embodiments, issue presented below with reference to the drawings, in which:
    [032] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a machine, which comprises a control panel, according to a first possible embodiment of the invention;
    [033] Figure 2 is a partial perspective view, enlarged, of the extraction head of a machine for preparing drinks, with a control panel according to the second modality. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
    [034] The present invention relates to a machine for preparing beverages 1, as illustrated in Figure 1, comprising: (i) a reservoir 2 for a fluid, (ii) an infusion head 3 adapted to receive by the minus an ingredients capsule (not shown in the drawing), (iii) a pressure pump for pumping a predetermined volume of said fluid from said reservoir 2 to said infusion head 3 so that fluid can be injected into the said capsule for mixing with said ingredient under pressure and thereby producing a predetermined beverage volume, which is dispensed into a cup (not shown in the drawing), placed on the cup tray 4.
    [035] The machine further comprises a heating element to optionally heat said pumped fluid from said reservoir before entering the capsule, and an electronic control board capable of receiving commands from a control panel 5 of the machine and activating the operation of the pump, heating element, control panel and/or infusion head.
    [036] According to the invention, the control panel 5 comprises, in combination: - a rotating wheel 6 which is connected to the control plate, so that by rotating said wheel, a beverage preparation parameter is adjusted in the said control board, and means 7 illuminated (or colored or tactile), at least a part of which is shaped like a schematic cup, which is connected to said control board, so that the state of said preparation parameter of beverage is represented in said medium.
    [037] As shown in Figure 1, the machine may comprise a removable capsule holder 8, which is used to load a capsule into it and place the loaded capsule holder into the brewing head for machine operation.
    [038] As illustrated in Figure 1, the beverage preparation parameter comprises a volume V to be pumped from the reservoir, which is represented in the illuminated middle 7 as a fraction of said total volume of the schematic cup. More precisely, volume V is schematically represented as a product volume in a schematic representation of a cup 9.
    [039] The volume V corresponds to a volume of water that is pumped from the reservoir, which consists of between 50 and 250 ml. This volume almost corresponds to the final volume of the final drink, which will be distributed in the cup. In some cases, however, the volume in the cup may be a few cl less than the pumped volume of water, due to the fact that some liquid that remained inside the machine's capsule and/or fluid tubes has not been dispensed. In the description below of specific embodiments of the invention, for reasons of simplification, it is assumed that the pumped volume V, as adjusted by the user on the machine control panel, and the beverage volume eventually distributed in the cup, is the same. This volume limit ranges from concentrated coffees to full size beverages such as long tea cups, or brewed coffee cups or American style coffee cups.
    [040] In a first embodiment of the present invention illustrated in Figure 1, the beverage preparation machine comprises an LCD screen - Liquid Crystal Display -, which is configured to require at least one beverage preparation parameter, such as volume a be distributed as shown in the drawing. Particularly preferably, the LCD screen is capable of displaying several menus, which can be displayed alternately or simultaneously. The user changes from one displayable menu to another using the scroll wheel, confirming their selection using a pressure switch located on the machine's control panel, or directly pressing the scroll wheel to confirm.
    [041] These different menus can include information regarding beverage preparation parameters, such as recipes, or parameters for preparing a beverage, such as volume or temperature of the dispensed beverage, or machine settings (eg mode activation stand-by).
    [042] In a second alternative embodiment of the present invention, illustrated in Figure 2, the illuminated medium 7 of the machine for preparation and beverage comprises a series of superimposed, backlit LED bars 10, each LED bar having a shape , so the LED bar group represents a cup 9.
    [043] In this modality, in addition to the illuminated means 7, the control panel 5 of the beverage preparation machine 1 comprises a set of two buttons 11, to select the temperature of the fluid that will be injected into the capsules to mix with the contents of capsule and prepare a drink. Typically, one button selects room temperature (ie, "cold"), while the other button selects hot fluid to prepare a hot beverage.
    [044] Said swivel wheel may, however, additionally comprise a degree of release of the push-button, so that a consumer can press the same as a push-button.
    [045] In a third embodiment of the invention, the control panel 5 of the machine comprises the illuminated means 7 similarly to that described in relation to the second mode described above, as well as a wheel 6 that can rotate, but also be used as a button depression. In this case, said wheel 6 is the only control button for the machine, serving as: (i) a rotary selector, for selecting at least one beverage preparation parameter, and (ii) a push button selector, for confirm or cancel each of said beverage preparation parameters, and start a brewing cycle.
    [046] For example, the user can adjust a beverage preparation parameter by turning the wheel and confirm the adjustment by a short press on the wheel. When the setting satisfies the user's needs, an infusion cycle can be started by an additional short pressure on the wheel. In case the setting does not satisfy the user's needs, it can be canceled by a long pressure on the wheel. The same adjustment process can be used for several setup parameters, each one being adjusted by wheel rotation, then confirmed by wheel tightening, so that when a parameter is adjusted and confirmed, the wheel is used in a similar way. to set and confirm another parameter, until all parameters are set and confirmed, such that additional pressure on the wheel initiates a beverage brewing (ie brewing) cycle. Preferably, in this case, the number of several parameters is quite limited to shorten and simplify the use of the machine. Especially preferably, no more than two parameters are to be set.
    [047] This control panel configuration, which comprises a single control switch (ie the wheel) is particularly simple, intuitive and easy to use, compared to beverage preparation machines with a control panel with more than a single command switch.
    [048] In a fourth modality, the illuminated medium comprises a mechanical level indication, which replaces the LCD screen or the LED bars. For example, said mechanical level indication may be a colored element (eg green) which is movable up/down behind cut-out openings across the surface of the control panel. The movement of the colored element is mechanically linked to the rotation of the selector wheel. The mechanical element is backlit so that it is visible through the openings in the control panel. This is a cheaper solution compared to one involving LED bars or an LCD screen, while offering similar advantages to the consumer.
    [049] In any of the foregoing described embodiments, the swivel wheel may comprise a means for blocking rotation, to prevent said wheel from turning more than a quarter of rotation.
    [050] In addition, said wheel then comprises means to declicle, to produce audible and touch-sensitive feedback during rotation, so as to give a sensitive feedback to the user's fingers during the adjustment of the parameter(s) ( s) of the machine. Each audible and sensitive click produced by the rotating wheel during rotation corresponds to an increment in the parameter being adjusted by the rotation, which is represented in the middle illuminated by a plus or minus LED bar, which is illuminated so that represent more or less volume to be distributed in the cup.
    [051] With this wheel, it is possible to adjust the machine before starting a beverage preparation cycle, without even looking at the lighted medium. In this case, adjusting a volume to be dispensed is easy: the user first turns rotates in an extreme direction, until the rotation is blocked. For example, turning the wheel down adjusts the volume to the lowest possible volume in the cup (there are no illuminated bars on the LED bar display). Then, the user increments a higher volume by turning the wheel up, one click at a time, until a desired volume is reached. Upon turning the wheel, feedback is provided to the user by both audible (ie click) and sensitive (ie, sensitive feedback that each incremental rotation requires little effort to reach the next incremental wheel position). When the user has set the desired volume to be dispensed, for example, five increments of seven (with seven representing the maximum volume that can be dispensed, which is represented on the LED bar screen by all seven lit LED bars), then five LED bars are illuminated as illustrated in Figure 2 and the user can start a beverage preparation cycle by pressing one of the "hot" or "cold" buttons, or alternatively press the wheel to save the parameter of volume that has just been adjusted and then: - start a beverage brewing cycle by pressing the wheel a second time or - use the wheel to start a second parameter, eg temperature, if no specific temperature buttons are present on the control panel 5.
    [052] In this second case, the user turns the wheel up and down to select "hot" or "cold" and then presses the wheel again to confirm their selection. A beverage preparation cycle then starts automatically and the machine automatically stops when the selected volume has been dispensed into the cup.
    [053] Although a main problem underlying the present invention is to provide the user with a user-friendly control panel to easily, conveniently and intuitively adjust and use the beverage preparation machine, another problem underlying the invention is also providing the user a control panel that provides maximum flexibility in adjusting the desired cooking parameters while requiring a minimum of buttons, levers or switches to be maneuvered.
    [054] This problem is solved with a display device that graphically represents the cup to be filled and that is connected to an activation device very suitable for use in the form of a wheel that rotates so that less than two, preferably, less than one, particularly preferably half a full rotation (i.e. 360°) of the wheel is required to adjust a volume V of water to be pumped from the reservoir (i.e., which corresponds almost to the final volume of the beverage dispensed in the cup), which consists of between 0% and 100% of the maximum volume of water that can be pumped to prepare a serving. Preferably, the maximum volume that can be pumped by the machine to prepare a beverage portion is 400 ml.
    [055] In a particularly preferred embodiment, a rotation of between 15° and 180° is necessary to adjust a volume V to be pumped, which consists of between 0 and 400 ml, preferably between 30 and 300 ml, particularly preferably , between 50 and 250 ml. In the latter case, the minimum volume V that can be selected to prepare a drink corresponds to a volume of water pumped from the reservoir, which is 50 ml, and also corresponds to a cup serving size of between 4 and 50 ml, depending on of the volume of small drops of beverage that remain in the machine and in the capsule, which are not distributed in the cup.
    [056] In order to enable a tuning/fine adjustment by the user, of the volume of fluid V to be pumped from the reservoir (which almost corresponds to the volume of distribution in the cup of the prepared drink), the rotation of the wheel along the angle it covers the complete range of volumes that can be adjusted (0% to 100%) is preferably divided into rotation angle segments. Each segment corresponds to a fraction of the total volume V, which can be adjusted by the user, and must be displayed as such in the illuminated medium.
    [057] In the case of the second and third mode described above with reference to Figure 2, the machine can be configured, for example, in such a way that the complete limit of volumes that can be adjusted (i.e., between 0% and 100% of the maximum volume that can be pumped for a serving portion) is covered by a range of rotation of the circular wheel from 0° to 120°.
    [058] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, each fraction of the volume limit that can be manually selected with the wheel, is displayed in the illuminated medium as a corresponding illuminated fraction of the cup representation. For example, if the rotating wheel is adjusted so that the complete range of selectable volumes is divided into seven fractions, the cup representation in the illuminated name of the machine is also divided into seven corresponding fractions. For each additional volume fraction that is selected by rotating the wheel, a corresponding additional fraction of the cup is illuminated in the illuminated middle. The number of fractions for a complete volume limit is at least 3, preferably at least 4, particularly preferably at least 5, and especially preferred at least 7, but not higher than 30. Each a fraction represents - tion of the cup in the illuminated middle can be, for example, a bar belonging to a series of overlapping backlit LED bars 10 as described above with reference to Figure 2, each LED bar being shaped so that the group of LED bars represents a cup 9.
    [059] It is important to note that all volume fractions, as selected with the wheel and as displayed in the illuminated medium, do not necessarily correspond to pumped volumes that are equivalent for all selected fractions. For example, the first fraction in the selectable volume limit may correspond to 60 ml of liquid to be pumped from the reservoir, the second fraction of which can then be selected, corresponding to an additional 30 ml, while the third fraction, which is selected if the user continues to turn the wheel, corresponding to an additional 50 ml etc., until the user reaches the maximum volume, which can be pumped from the reservoir by turning the wheel for a selection of the last fraction in the selectable volume limit.
    [060] In another embodiment of the invention, the first fraction of the selectable volume limit can be selected automatically in advance in the beverage machine program, so that at machine startup, the first fraction is already selected in advance and represented in the illuminated medium as a fraction of the cup representation. For larger volumes, the user then turns the wheel to select additional volume fractions.
    [061] It should be understood that the various possibilities and modalities described above can be combined in order to obtain the most convenient control panel. Typically, a control panel that uses an LED bar-illuminated medium, a rotating wheel for volume selection, and two buttons for selecting "hot" or "cold" are preferred.
    [062] However, a similar version without the temperature selectors, i are replaced by a selection and confirmation by turning/squeezing the wheel, as described above, is also certainly very advantageous and particularly brings the advantage that users with limited or no vision they can quickly learn to use this machine.
    [063] In all the modes described above, the wheel protrudes from the surface of the machine, so as to be easy to feel and manipulate by the user's finger.
    [064] Lastly, with reference to the wheel selector, in a possible fashion for the invention, the wheel is not a complete circle (30°), but just an oscillator switch, formed, for example, like a half moon. This type of rocker lever can be used when there is no room for a full wheel on the machine's control panel 5, for example if the beverage preparation machine is particularly small in size. In this case, by holding the rocker lever in one of the end positions, the LED bar settings and levels move up/down, incrementally corresponding to each of the user-given impulses using the rocker-like wheel.
    [065] The fluid reservoir can be integrated in the machine frame, or it can be remote from the machine. In the latter case, the reservoir can be, for example, a water bottle. In that case, the machine comprises a pipe connected in fluid manner to the fluid pump, said pipe being adapted to be immersed in the remote reservoir (eg water bottle). In this case, the machine comprises a pipe with fluid connection to the fluid pump, said pipe being adapted to be immersed in the remote reservoir (eg water bottle).
    [066] The spinning wheel described above can also be virtual and take the form of a track-pad [touch-sensitive pad], over which the user slides a finger, as for a physical spinning wheel.
    [067] It should be understood that several changes and modifications of the currently preferred modalities, described in the present, are evident to those skilled in the art. These changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and object of the present invention and without diminishing its resulting advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications are covered by the appended claims.
    权利要求:
    Claims (13)
    [0001]
    1. Machine for preparing beverages (1), comprising: (i) a reservoir (2) for a fluid, (ii) an infusion head (3) adapted to receive at least one ingredient capsule containing an ingredient,( iii) a pump for pumping a predetermined volume of said fluid from said reservoir to said infusion head such that said fluid can be injected into said capsule to mix with said ingredient under pressure and produce a predetermined volume of beverage, (iv) a heating element for optionally heating said fluid pumped from said reservoir, before it enters the capsule, (v) an electronic control board capable of receiving commands from a control panel (5) of the beverage preparation (1) and activate the operation of at least one component selected from the group consisting of the pump, the heating element, the control panel and the brewing head, said control panel (5) having comprises in combination: (vi) a rotating wheel (6), which is connected to the control plate, so that by turning and/or squeezing the wheel, a beverage preparation parameter is set on said control plate, (vii) an illuminated means (7), at least a part of which is shaped like a schematic cup (9), which is connected to said control plate, so that the state of said beverage preparation parameter within said control plate control is represented on said medium (7), characterized by the fact that said beverage preparation parameter comprises a volume (V) to be pumped from the reservoir and to be represented in the illuminated medium as a fraction of said total cup volume schematic, in which each fraction of the volume limit that can be manually selected with the wheel, is displayed in the illuminated middle as the corresponding illuminated fraction of the schematic cup, so that for each additional volume fraction that is selected by turning the wheel , an additional corresponding fraction of the cup is illuminated in the illuminated middle, in which the rotation of the wheel along the angle covering the entire range of definable volumes (0% to 100%) is divided into rotation angle segments, and each of said rotation angle segments corresponds to a fraction of the total volume (V) which can be defined by the user and is displayed in this way in the illuminated medium.
    [0002]
    2. Machine for preparing beverages according to claim 1, characterized in that the number of fractions for a selectable complete volume limit is at least 3, preferably at least 4, particularly preferably at least 7 and especially preferably at least 7 but not more than 30.
    [0003]
    3. Machine for preparing beverages according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said volume V corresponds to a volume of prepared beverage, which consists of between 10 and 400 ml, preferably between 30 and 300 ml .
    [0004]
    4. Machine for preparing beverages according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said wheel comprises a degree of freedom in the pressure button, so that a consumer can press the same as a pressure switch.
    [0005]
    5. Machine for preparing beverages according to claim 4, characterized in that said wheel is the only control button for the machine, serving as: (i) a rotary selector, to select at least one preparation parameter of beverage, and(ii) a push-button selector, to confirm or cancel each of said beverage preparation parameters, and initiate an infusion cycle.
    [0006]
    6. Machine for preparing beverages according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said control panel further comprises at least one selector for pumping fluid from the reservoir or directly into the capsule or through said element of heating, so that said fluid entering said capsule is hot.
    [0007]
    7. Machine for preparing beverages according to claim 6, characterized in that said selector comprises a pressure switch for pumping water at room temperature, and another pressure switch for pumping water to be heated.
    [0008]
    8. Machine for preparing beverages according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said illuminated medium comprises a plurality of superimposed backlit LED lamps shaped like: bars, dots and/or frustoconical shape , where the LED lamps are arranged to represent a cup shape.
    [0009]
    9. Machine for preparing beverages according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said illuminated means comprises a screen in black and white or in LCD, OLED or AMOLED colors.
    [0010]
    10. Machine for preparing beverages according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said rotating wheel comprises rotation locking means to prevent said wheel from rotating more than half of a rotation, preferably more than a quarter of a rotation.
    [0011]
    11. Machine for preparing beverages according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said wheel is illuminated.
    [0012]
    12. Machine for preparing beverages according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said wheel protrudes from the surface of the machine.
    [0013]
    13. Machine for preparing beverages, according to claim 1, characterized in that the entire range of volumes that can be defined (ie, between 0% and 100% of the maximum volume that can be pumped for a portion) is covered by a range of rotation of the circular wheel between 0 ° and 120
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    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    AU2016202874A1|2016-05-26|
    CA2836109A1|2012-11-29|
    JP6054953B2|2016-12-27|
    IL229460D0|2014-01-30|
    UA111490C2|2016-05-10|
    ZA201309675B|2015-10-28|
    EP2715686A1|2014-04-09|
    AU2016202874B2|2017-06-22|
    US20140373723A1|2014-12-25|
    US10143328B2|2018-12-04|
    MX358731B|2018-09-03|
    JP2014515282A|2014-06-30|
    RU2013153285A|2015-06-10|
    SG194919A1|2013-12-30|
    IL229460A|2017-10-31|
    RU2580272C2|2016-04-10|
    CL2013003395A1|2014-06-20|
    CN103562975B|2018-05-18|
    AU2012260798A1|2013-11-28|
    EP2528044A1|2012-11-28|
    AR086583A1|2014-01-08|
    BR112013029978A2|2017-01-31|
    CN103562975A|2014-02-05|
    MX2013013858A|2015-03-19|
    WO2012160190A1|2012-11-29|
    KR101897847B1|2018-09-12|
    KR20140035442A|2014-03-21|
    MY166291A|2018-06-25|
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    法律状态:
    2018-12-11| B06F| Objections, documents and/or translations needed after an examination request according [chapter 6.6 patent gazette]|
    2019-11-05| B25A| Requested transfer of rights approved|Owner name: SOCIETE DES PRODUITS NESTLE S.A. (CH) |
    2021-01-19| B07A| Application suspended after technical examination (opinion) [chapter 7.1 patent gazette]|
    2021-06-08| B09A| Decision: intention to grant [chapter 9.1 patent gazette]|
    2021-08-24| B16A| Patent or certificate of addition of invention granted [chapter 16.1 patent gazette]|Free format text: PRAZO DE VALIDADE: 20 (VINTE) ANOS CONTADOS A PARTIR DE 25/05/2012, OBSERVADAS AS CONDICOES LEGAIS. |
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    EP11167716A|EP2528044A1|2011-05-26|2011-05-26|A beverage preparation system|
    EP11167716.7|2011-05-26|
    PCT/EP2012/059816|WO2012160190A1|2011-05-26|2012-05-25|A beverage preparation system|
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