beverage production machine

专利摘要:
BEVERAGE PRODUCTION MACHINE AND METHOD, PRODUCT PRODUCTION AND DELIVERY MACHINE AND CONTROL METHODS TO INHIBIT PRODUCT USE BEYOND SHELF LIFE. The present invention relates to a beverage production machine (1, 110), a beverage production method, and a container (30, 122) for a product that is to be loaded into a beverage production machine (1 , 110). The invention aims to improve the hygiene of beverage production. By wirelessly reading identification information and shelf life information from an RFID tag (31, 123) on a container (30, 122) by an RFID reader (4, 121) of a machine of beverage production (1, 110) it can be ensured that only known products are used for beverage production and only products that have not yet reached their expiration date. The invention further provides monitoring of the shelf life of a product to the beverage production machine (1, 110), thus making it more convenient to operate, particularly to recharge. The invention is also directed to a machine for the production and delivery of products such as ice cream, frozen drinks or granita with the use of a preparation package (...).
公开号:BR112014001293B1
申请号:R112014001293-8
申请日:2012-07-19
公开日:2021-04-20
发明作者:Sara Guidorzi；Marco Corrado Ugolini；Massimiliano Ricco
申请人:Société des Produits Nestlé S.A.；
IPC主号:

专利说明:

[001] The present invention relates to a beverage production machine, a corresponding beverage production method and a container for a product, from which a beverage is produced. The present invention further relates to a machine for the production and delivery of products, preferably chilled food products such as ice cream, frozen drinks, granita or the like starting from a preparation package associated with such machine to obtain the product, a matching package and a control method to inhibit the use of the product beyond its shelf life after preparing the product in the machine. In particular, beverage production is directed to the production of frozen or chilled liquid or semi-liquid beverages. In particular, the beverage production machine can identify a product held in a suitable container or package through a wireless identification process, preferably by radio frequency identification, RFID, and can monitor the shelf life of the product in order to improve the hygiene of beverage production.
[002] Existing solutions for the production of frozen or refrigerated liquid or semi-liquid beverages, such as ice cream, frozen coffee beverages, frozen chocolate beverages, frozen cream, frozen yogurt, fruit sorbets, frozen beverages (frappes) and the like, typically comprise a device having a reservoir which is loaded by a premixed product from which beverages are produced, a refrigeration device for cooling or freezing the product and a dispenser for dispensing portions of the product such as ready-to-drink beverages. The reservoir can typically be removed from the device for cleaning or refilling purposes.
[003] Since typically a large amount of the product carries the reservoir, for example, a volume as large as 5 liters or more, and since the product portions will be distributed, therefore, over an extended period of time, problems with hygiene or with the expiration date (or shelf life) of the product may occur. In particular, if the product temperature is not kept constant and low enough, for example, due to the fact that the machine is switched off overnight and is only switched on the following morning, it is possible for the product in the reservoir to spoil. In known machines, the product that is not distributed in a certain period of time must be eliminated or replaced with fresh product, since the product, once it has been prepared from special preparation bags, has a limited shelf life (usually some of) before being subject to deterioration. Since the containers in which the previously mixed product is purchased contain a volume greater than the container volume or are reused, a refill of the same container must be performed. Hygiene issues can occur if between product refill steps the reservoir is not properly cleaned or if the shelf life of the product expires.
[004] Unfortunately, what happens as a result of oversight, negligence or the desire to cut costs is that not all users of such machines are diligent in respecting the expiration date of the product present in the machine. However, once the product has been prepared from the special preparation packages, it is very difficult to determine whether the prepared product has reached its maximum shelf life as its shelf life must be calculated from the time of preparation. This shelf-life date is obviously quite different from the expiration date that is printed on the package. Even just forgetting to make a note of the preparation date and time can result in the product's shelf life being inadvertently exceeded, with the product continuing to ship even past its expiration date.
[005] Another problem with existing solutions is that different products can carry a beverage production device by different people, where the expiration date or shelf life of the products can be confused or forgotten. Document US 6,286,724 B1 therefore suggests a chilled beverage system for chilling a product, in which the system has a reservoir, called a hopper, to contain a quantity of the product. A dispensing tap is connected to the hopper for dispensing portions of the product. Additionally, a locking structure is provided which can only be removed by an authorized person. However, such a locking structure is very inconvenient to use and does not prevent a product from accidentally loading the device, which has not previously been unambiguously identified (for example, a self-mix product) or whose shelf life is unknown.
[006] To identify a product and to ensure that product storage and beverage preparation are carried out under optimal conditions, for example, document EP 2 082 649 A2 suggests monitoring the temperature of the product in the reservoir. Through an analysis of the temperature profile, the product can be identified. Additionally, a user can enter settings and product identification information into the machine. However, temperature monitoring and temperature control cannot unambiguously identify the product and does not prevent a product whose shelf life has expired from charging the reservoir. In this case, even temperature control cannot improve or maintain proper hygiene.
[007] To improve the coolness of a drink, WO 2008/004144 A2 discloses a drink dispensing device for making a cold drink which is equipped with a freshness indicator. The beverage is held in a container, it can be cooled, mixed and distributed by means of a draining device. The machine comprises a display to indicate the storage temperature, the maximum storage period, the actual freshness of the beverage, the time remaining until the expiration of freshness and/or the expiration date of the freshness. To obtain the indication data, the machine comprises an input unit for entering, for example, the expiration date, comprises means to record any replacement of the beverage container, in order to calculate the time that the beverage is already retained in the container, and comprises a temperature sensor for measuring the beverage storage temperature. A signal processing unit can calculate, depending on the recorded storage temperature and based on the stored freshness criteria, the actual freshness of the beverage. However, the user is responsible for entering the relevant parameters, and errors and unauthorized entries are possible. The beverage dispensing device is additionally not designed to clearly identify the product, and an update to the shelf life or expiration date of the product could be circumvented.
[008] Additionally, the beverage dispensing device has only one freshness indicator, however proper cleaning and supervision of hygiene standards are the responsibility of the user.
[009] In addition, once the product has expired, the tank must be cleaned, even when there is no more product, in order to prevent the fresh product that must be introduced into the tank from being contaminated by contact with any residual old product which can remain inside the tank or inside the delivery pipe.
[0010] This cleaning operation is not always performed and sometimes the operator simply continues to replenish the product as it is consumed.
[0011] The purpose of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the existing solutions described above and to provide a beverage production machine, a beverage production method and a container for a product that allow for improved hygiene in the production of frozen beverages or liquid or semi-liquid colds or liquid foods. In particular, the aim is to provide a way to ban any beverage production, for which the shelf life has expired, for example, to ensure, with an adequate degree of reliability, a more correct use in relation to the expiration date of the prepared product. A further object of the invention is to provide a beverage machine, for which the refilling procedure is more convenient. A further objective is to provide a container or package for such a machine. A further objective is also to provide a method of beverage production and a method of control for a machine of the type mentioned above which is capable of achieving, with an adequate degree of reliability, correct use of the same in relation to the expiration date of the product prepared.
[0012] The above objective problem can be solved by the independent claims of the present invention. The dependent claims further and advantageously develop the invention.
[0013] In particular the present invention is directed to a beverage production machine (hereinafter referred to as machine) comprising a removable reservoir (hereinafter referred to as a tank) for containing a product, cooling means (hereinafter referred to as a circuit or refrigeration system) to cool the product, a dispensing means (hereinafter referred to as a dispenser or faucet) connected to the reservoir for dispensing a portion of the product, an RFID reader (hereinafter referred to as an acquisition means) to receive data comprising product identification information and shelf life information, control means (hereinafter referred to as control unit) to identify the product based on the identification information and to set a value of a shelf life counter (in hereafter referred to as the clock/calendar unit) according to the shelf life information, where the beverage production machine is operable in a product mode to dispense a portion of the product, if the control means has identified the product and if the shelf life counter value is above a first threshold value.
[0014] Due to the fact that the product mode can only be activated if the product is unambiguously identified, the machine can prevent an accidental or intentionally damaged product from loading the machine and being used to prepare a drink. The identification information and shelf life information is provided, for example, on an RFID chip or tag (hereinafter referred to as the information retention means) of a container (hereinafter referred to as a package) in which the product is acquired. Identification information and shelf life information must be verified and authorized by the product distributor. Through the RFID reader the beverage production machine can be securely and easily provided with shelf life information and the shelf life counter configuration prevents a portion of the product from being distributed if the shelf life has expired . The user does not have to actively take responsibility for monitoring the shelf life of the product, as the machine provides an automatic monitoring function.
[0015] Specific identification information of a container containing a product and the corresponding shelf life information can only be used once to open the machine for (re)loading and to initiate a product mode cycle (a cycle of product mode starts with shelf life counter setting and ends with shelf life expiration). It is possible to prevent a container from being refilled with an unknown liquid from the same container, from an already opened container or with an expired product. The beverage production machine can be provided with specifically designed means which monitor the incoming identification information and thus prevent multiple use of the identification information tables. Due to the possibility of transmitting identification information and shelf life information via, for example, RFID, an input unit can be omitted. Therefore, the machine can be set up in a faster operating mode, and it is more convenient to operate.
[0016] Preferably, the control means are adapted to constantly decrease the value of the shelf life counter in product mode, wherein the beverage production machine further comprises a display (hereinafter referred to as the user interface), wherein the display has a shelf life indicator to display the shelf life counter value, and wherein the display has an alarm indicator to emit a first warning signal, if the shelf life counter value is below of a second borderline value.
[0017] Once the machine is in product mode, that is, the product has been identified, and the shelf life counter has been configured, a portion of the product can be distributed and a continuous decrease of the shelf life counter value. shelf ensures that an automatic expiration date monitoring is performed by the machine. The shelf life indicator is optional and can additionally provide the user with relevant information about the product's expiration date, and optionally the alert can be issued as soon as the counter value falls below a second threshold value. The warning sign alerts the user of the need to clean the reservoir soon and load it with a new product or product from a new container.
[0018] Preferably, the beverage production machine further comprises a temperature sensor to measure the temperature of the product in the reservoir, wherein the display has a temperature indicator to show the measured temperature and wherein the alarm indicator is adapted to issue a second warning signal if the measured temperature is above a first threshold temperature.
[0019] The temperature sensor can ensure that the product is constantly kept at a low enough temperature so that the product does not spoil before its nominal expiration date is reached, that is, before the shelf life counter value reaches the first boundary value. An undesirable increase in temperature can, for example, occur if the cooling means do not function properly or if the beverage production machine is poorly positioned, for example, close to a radiator or exposed to sunlight. The temperature indicator is optional. The warning signal is preferably issued as soon as the temperature exceeds a certain measured temperature, i.e. above a first threshold temperature, which is still low enough that the shelf-life information of the product maintains its validity.
[0020] Preferably, the reservoir has an opening (hereinafter referred to as loading opening or opening) and a lockable lid (hereinafter referred to as closing lid or lid) to expose or cover the opening, wherein the means Control switches are adapted to detect and control the locked state of the cover, and where the display has a cover indicator to indicate whether the cover is locked or unlocked.
[0021] Due to the fact that the lid is lockable, reloading of a product can only be performed if a product has been successfully identified, in which the identification unlocks the lid. The beverage production machine can optionally show on the display whether the lid is locked or not. The opening is preferably constructed in such a way that a product can be placed easily, i.e. without spilling any product, for example by matching or fitting the opening to the mouth of the container in which the product is purchased.
[0022] Preferably, the control means are adapted to configure the product mode of the beverage production machine, in which in the product mode the cooling means are activated, the lid is locked, the temperature indicator is activated and shelf life counter and shelf life indicator are activated.
[0023] In product mode, the cooling means ensure that the product is cooled to a sufficiently low temperature that ensures that the product's shelf life information is valid. For monitoring purposes, the indicators and counter are naturally turned on during product mode. The lid is locked, and a load can only be performed if the product mode is stopped, new identifying information is successfully supplied, and finally the product mode is resumed.
[0024] Preferably, the control means are adapted to configure a standby mode of the beverage production machine, in which in standby mode the cooling means are not activated, the temperature indicator is not activated and the counter shelf life and shelf life indicator are not activated.
[0025] Standby mode is a mode, in which the machine is cleaned (has just been cleaned), which is ready to be loaded with a product and is ready to start a new product mode cycle. To save money, the cooling means are not activated and since no product shelf life information has yet been provided, i.e. received by the machine, the respective indicators and the shelf life counter are turned off.
[0026] Preferably, the control means are adapted to configure a cleaning mode of the beverage production machine, in which in the cleaning mode the cooling means are not activated and the lid is unlocked.
[0027] In cleaning mode the machine has completed a product mode cycle, which means that the shelf life of the product has expired and the machine has to be cleaned. Therefore, the lid naturally has to be unlocked. After cleaning, the machine may return to standby mode.
[0028] Preferably, the control means are adapted to configure the product mode of the beverage production machine if the product is identified based on the identification information in the data received by the RFID reader.
[0029] Connecting the product mode with the requirement of a valid product identification ensures that no unknown product, for which consequently the shelf life is unknown, is used. This greatly improves hygiene in the machine.
[0030] Preferably, the control means are adapted to automatically configure the cleaning mode of the beverage production machine if the shelf life counter value is equal to or less than the first threshold value.
[0031] If the shelf life of the product has expired, the machine is automatically set to cleaning mode. Clean mode can be left only if the reservoir is clean and if a new product is to be loaded into the reservoir. Thus the machine ensures that no beverage is ever produced from a product whose shelf life has expired.
[0032] Preferably, the control means are adapted to detect a removal from the reservoir and to set the standby mode of the beverage production machine only if the reservoir has been removed for more than a first boundary period.
[0033] The machine thus ensures that the reservoir is really clean. Only then can product mode be activated again from standby mode and the reloading procedure can be performed. Of course, other means to detect that the reservoir has been removed and/or cleaned can be implemented. Suitable sensors can even directly distinguish between a clean state and a used state. For example, a light source or light sensor can be used to detect product residue.
[0034] Preferably, the control means are adapted to automatically configure the cleaning mode of the beverage production machine if the measured temperature is above a second boundary temperature for more than a second boundary period.
[0035] After the product has been above a certain temperature for a long time, the validity of the shelf life information can no longer be guaranteed. When setting the machine in cleaning mode, it is necessary for the user to clean the reservoir and to go back to the product mode to refill the product.
[0036] Preferably, the control means are adapted to unlock the lid to reload the product in product mode if the product for reloading is identified based on the identification information in additional data received by the RFID reader.
[0037] Reloading takes place in product mode, and a new product mode cycle can be selected only if the product is identified and if shelf life information is obtained. The identification information for a new product cannot be the same as the identification information for a previously used product, that is, a previously used container. Identification information specific to a product, ie a container, can only be used once to initiate a product mode. Thus, an accidental or intentional refill with an unknown or expired product from the container is avoided.
[0038] During product mode, in order to unlock the lid and perform reloading with the product, the product mode first has to be stopped. Then, new identifying information must be provided and the product mode can be resumed without cleaning the reservoir if both the new shelf life information and the previous shelf life information have not expired yet. If the reservoir is charged multiple times during a product mode cycle, all shelf life information obtained through the RFID reader must be valid. The shelf life counter value is determined and set according to the shelf life information that yields the lowest values, that is, expires soonest. Only if in a reload step the shelf life information is detected by the control means, which would correspond to a value lower than the current value, the shelf life counter value is overwritten.
[0039] The present invention is further directed to a container for a product comprising an RFID tag to provide data comprising identification information and shelf life information of the product in the container.
[0040] The container is typically suitable to hold a larger amount of product, eg about 5 litres. The container's RFID tag can be certified and verified by the container's distributor. High security standards are preferably used to attach the tag to the container and to record the information on the tag so that it is ensured that the information transmitted via the RFID tag actually matches the product in the container. The tag cannot be registered with new information without an authorization code. It can also be thought that the container provides a means to detect the breakage or opening of the container and that the identification information and shelf life information on the RFID tag is only valid for a predetermined amount of time after the container has been tampered with . The RFID tag can therefore be provided with a counter. Product hygiene and freshness standards when loading a beverage production machine can thus be improved.
[0041] Preferably, the container further comprises a mouth and a removable cap to cover the mouth, wherein the cap is removable only if the data is successfully read from the RFID tag by an RFID reader.
[0042] Only if the product in the container has been identified and its shelf life information has been recorded by a beverage production machine, the product in the container can be used. The plug can be further constructed in such a way that it cannot be put back in or it can be constructed in such a way that after the container has been emptied it cannot be refilled any more.
[0043] The present invention is further directed to a beverage production method comprising the steps of obtaining data comprising identification information and shelf life information of a product, identifying the product based on the identification information and monitoring the product shelf life according to shelf life information, load a reservoir with the product, cool the product in the reservoir, distribute a portion of the product, where the distribution of a portion of the product can be performed if the product has identified and if the shelf life has not expired.
[0044] In view of the objectives mentioned above, the idea that occurred according to the invention is to also provide a machine for the production and delivery of products such as ice cream, frozen drinks or granita using a preparation package associated with this machine in order to obtain the product, which comprises a product-containing tank which is provided with a tap for delivering the product and which contains an element for cooling the product and an electrical mixing element (hereinafter referred to as stirring means, stir or mixer) to stir the product, characterized in that it comprises a control unit that is provided with means for acquisition (i.e., means of acquisition) of information related to the shelf life of the product - once the latter has been obtained from the preparation - from information retaining means that are associated with a preparation package, the control unit that controls the operation of the machine in accordance with the said acquired information.
[0045] Also according to said objectives, the idea that occurred was to provide a preparation package for the production of a product such as ice cream, frozen drinks or granita in a machine for the production and delivery of these products that comprises associated means for the retention of information related to the shelf life of the product once it has been obtained from the preparation, and said information is intended to be acquired by the machine to control its operation.
[0046] Finally, the idea that occurred was to provide, in a machine for the production and delivery of products such as ice cream, frozen drinks or granita with the use of preparation packages associated with this machine, a control method to prevent the use of the product beyond a shelf life date as from the time of preparation of the product in the machine, which comprises the steps of: associating to the packages means to retain information that refer to the shelf life of the product once the latter has been obtained from the preparation introduced in the machine; providing the machine with means for acquiring information from said retaining means; acquire, through the machine, said information in order to enable its fully functional state for production and delivery of the product; automatically disable this fully functional state of the machine when the end of shelf life indicated by the acquired information has been reached.
[0047] In summary, the present invention raises the standards of hygiene of a machine or method (control) of beverage production and prevents the production of a beverage from a product that is unknown or that is spoiled. The product cannot be kept in a machine beyond its shelf life. The machine is convenient to use as it takes responsibility for monitoring and receiving the relevant information in order to meet high standards of hygiene. The solution of the present invention has a low impact on the cost of products and equipment and can thus ensure the profitability of the business.
[0048] In the following, the present invention is explained in more detail by the modalities also in relation to the attached figures and drawings.
[0049] Figure 1a shows a beverage production machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
[0050] Figure 1b shows a container according to the present invention.
[0051] Figure 2 shows a display of the beverage production machine of the present invention.
[0052] Figure 3 shows a block diagram of the beverage production machine of the present invention.
[0053] Figure 4 shows modes of the beverage production machine of the present invention.
[0054] Figure 5 shows a mode cycle of the beverage production machine of the present invention.
[0055] Figure 6 shows additional modes of the beverage production machine of the present invention.
[0056] Figure 7 shows a flowchart of a beverage production method of the present invention.
[0057] Figure 8 shows a refilling process from a container for the beverage production machine of the present invention.
[0058] Figure 9 shows a schematic perspective view of a machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
[0059] Figure 10 shows a schematic sectional view of the machine according to Figure 9, with a block diagram of an internal control unit.
[0060] Figure 1a shows a beverage production machine 1 according to the present invention. The beverage production machine 1 can be generally designed similarly to known beverage production machines 1, in that it has a housing, a plurality of feet, a drip tray, one or more ventilation openings, a source of food, etc. as illustrated. The beverage production machine 1 may, however, have a different design, shape or arrangement of features compared to the machine shown in Figure 1a. What is essential is that the beverage production machine 1 comprises a removable reservoir 2 for containing a product, such as a solid, semi-liquid or liquid product.
[0061] Reservoir 2 can be any suitable tank material, for example glass, Perspex, metal or plastic, which has the capacity to contain typical products. The reservoir 2 can be provided with one or more layers of coating which make it easy to clean and/or isolate the product from the reservoir material to improve hygiene. The one or more coating layers can additionally help to insulate the product from the external temperature or protect it from light. The reservoir 2 is preferably removable from the beverage production machine 1, but could be designed in such a way that it cannot be removed during operation, i.e. during product mode, from machine 1, or so that it is only removed in a specific mode of the beverage production machine 1. Various machine modes will be described later.
[0062] The product, in this case, is preferably a pre-mixed product for ice cream, a frozen milk product, a fruit sorbet, frozen fruit juice product or any other frozen or chilled liquid, solid or semi-liquid food or product known in the art. However, the idea of the present invention is not limited to such beverage products and can be applied also in classic coffee machines, coffee machines that work with capsules, tea machines, beer dispensers, fruit juice or lemonade dispensers or similar. Drinks produced from the product do not necessarily need to be chilled or frozen. Furthermore, shelf life information of heated beverages can be monitored in accordance with the present invention.
[0063] The reservoir 2 has a dispenser 3 that is connected to the reservoir 2 and is adapted to open and close an outlet of the reservoir 2. Thus, a portion of the product can be distributed through the dispenser 3. The dispenser 3 can be a dispenser electrically or mechanically operated 3. It can also be a manually operated dispenser 3, such as a tap device or a screw plug. Additionally, it can allow any desired portion of the product to be distributed. Alternatively, it can be controlled to dispense predetermined portions of the product. The dispenser 3 can additionally be provided with filters, for example, to increase the hygiene of the dispensed beverage or to prevent ice particles from being dispensed with the product. The dispenser 3 can also be equipped with means for frothing the product delivered, for example through a suitable filter or other foaming means. Dispenser 3 can be mechanically blocked or electrically disabled, as long as machine 1 is not in product mode. The dispenser 3 can be integrated with the reservoir 2 or can be fixed to the machine housing 1 so that the reservoir 2 is individually removable from the beverage production machine 1. The dispenser 3 is, however, preferably removable from the beverage production machine. 1 too, for the purpose of cleaning.
[0064] The beverage production machine 1 is additionally equipped with cooling means 5 and optionally with stirring means 6. Both the cooling means 5 and the stirring means 6 can be provided inside the removable reservoir 2, however are preferably provided in such a way that the removable reservoir 2 can be removed without removing the cooling means 5 and the stirring means 6. This makes it easier to clean and refill the reservoir 2.
[0065] Cooling means 5 are used to cool or freeze the product. Preferably, temperatures in a range of -5° to +10°, more preferably -10° to +20° can be achieved. The cooling means 5 can be conventional freezers or refrigeration devices in conventional ice machines or conventional beverage production machines for frozen beverages. The cooling means 5 preferably cools the product by cooling the reservoir 2. It is therefore desired that the reservoir 2 is made of a material with low heat capacity and high thermal conductivity so that the product can be efficiently cooled is fast. The cooling means 5 is additionally and preferably thermally insulated from the rest of the machine 1 to efficiently cool the product.
[0066] Stirring means 6, or a stirrer, are used to stir or stir or mix the product in order to ensure a homogeneous composition of the product and to ensure the homogeneity of the temperature of the product. The stirring means 6 can be, for example, a stirrer or rotational mixer with one or more blades which stir the product. The stirrer is inserted in the reservoir 2 when the reservoir 2 is connected to the machine 1. The stirring means 6 in the reservoir 2 can also be actuated magnetically or otherwise non-contact so that no hole or hole on the outer side of reservoir 2 has to be supplied. Even when sealed, the product can exit reservoir 2 in machine 1 through such a hole and compromise hygiene. Stirring means 6 can also be supplied from the top, for example through opening 10 of reservoir 2. Stirring means 6 can also be carried out by means which constantly shake, rotate or rotate reservoir 2 to stir the product. . With such a solution, no means of agitation 6 would have to be inserted into the product, thus increasing hygiene.
[0067] The beverage production machine 1 additionally has an antenna structure, preferably an RFID reader 4, which can communicate with other external antenna structures, preferably RFID tags 31, by means of magnetic or electromagnetic coupling and can receive and send data from/to the RFID tags 31. The RFID reader 4 has at least the ability to read data from an RFID tag 31 by means of wireless magnetic coupling. An example of an RFID tag 31 is shown in Figure 1b. The RFID tag 31 can, for example, be securely integrated into a container 30, in which the product that is to carry the reservoir 2 is purchased. By holding the RFID tag 31 close to the RFID reader 4, a coupling and data communication between the RFID elements can be performed.
[0068] The electromagnetic waves, which are used to wirelessly couple the RFID reader 4 to the RFID tags 31 and to read the RFID tag 31, preferably have a frequency of 30 kHz to 3 GHz. Electromagnetic devices shall allow data transmission over a distance of preferably at least 5 to 50 cm. Electromagnetic waves can be linear or circularly polarized. In particular circular polarization can facilitate data transmission due to the fact that tag 31 can be positioned in front of RFID reader 4 in an arbitrary orientation. Linear polarization requires specific positioning but can increase the signal-to-noise ratio and thus distance.
[0069] The beverage production machine 1 additionally has control means 7 that control, among other functions, the communication process of the RFID reader 4. The control means 7 can be a suitable processor or a microprocessor or a unit of calculation or similar processing. The control means 7 can be further equipped with a memory, for example a RAM or a ROM, to temporarily or permanently store data which is needed to carry out data communication. For example, the memory can store certain different RFID tag identification numbers with which communication can be allowed, or it can store an algorithm for an authentication procedure that is performed before RFID tag reading. The control means 7 can also be a set of processors, each processor being specifically designed to control a certain function of the machine 1.
[0070] The RFID reader 4, under the control of the control means 7, acquires from the RFID tag 31, optionally after an authentication procedure has been performed between the control means 7 and the RFID tag 31, at least information identification and shelf life information of the product in the container 30. The data received may also include additional information about the product, for example, information on taste, quantity, quality grade, price, the producer or distributor of the product, the date loading date, expiration date, optimum production parameters, optimum temperature parameters or the like.
[0071] When the RFID reader 4 has received the data, the control means 7 can store and/or evaluate the received data. In particular, the control means 7 has the ability to identify the product based on the identification information received with the data. Identification can be performed, for example, on the basis of previously stored numbers or previously stored information, with which the control means 7 compares the identification information. Alternatively, it can be performed by a previously stored algorithm that returns a “valid” or “invalid” identification result.
[0072] The data communication between the RFID reader 4 and the RFID tag 31 is preferably designed in a way that each RFID tag 31 can be read only once or at least in a way that specific identification information can be used only once to start machine product mode 1. This can be done, for example, by pre-storing acquired identification information permanently in memory and by comparing - each time new identification information is retrieved - of the information acquired with the information stored in memory. Only if newly acquired identification information is not stored in memory, the product is validly identified by the control means 7.
[0073] The control means 7 further evaluates the shelf life information and stores the relevant shelf life information in a memory. The control means 7 can further calculate the expiration date and store it in a memory. The control means 7 additionally has a shelf life counter 8, which is set to a value in accordance with the shelf life information. Alternatively, the control means 7 is connected to such a shelf life counter 8. The shelf life information can, for example, be a number of days, with which the shelf life counter is configured. Shelf life information is not, however, limited thereto but may be a number of hours or minutes until expiration or may be a certain calendar expiration date. The machine 1 can also comprise several shelf life counters 8 which are associated with different types of shelf life information. The shelf life counter 8, for example, decreases its value continuously, independently or under any direct control of the means of control 7 if the shelf life information is, for example, a number of days, weeks or months remaining. If shelf life information is a different value, shelf life counter 8 can also continuously increase its value. In the following description, however, only examples of decreasing shelf life counter value are explained, however the skilled individual will easily understand how to implement the same invention with a continuously increasing shelf life counter value.
[0074] The beverage production machine 1 shown in Figure 1a further comprises a display 20. The display 20 is shown in more detail in Figure 2 and has, for example, a shelf life indicator 21 for displaying the counter value shelf life 8, has a temperature indicator 22 to show the temperature of the product in reservoir 2 (temperature is measured with temperature sensor 9), comprises an alarm indicator 23 to release warning signals, has an alarm signal lock 24 which indicates whether a lockable cover 11 covering an opening 10 of reservoir 2 is locked or unlocked, comprises an RFID indicator 26 to show whether currently a data communication to and/or from RFID reader 4 is being performed and comprises a cleaning indicator 25 to indicate that the reservoir 2 is to be closed, i.e. the machine 1 is in the cleaning mode. The display 20 does not necessarily need to understand all of the above indicators. However, display 20 is also not limited to just the above indicators.
[0075] A control panel can be installed also in or on the display 2 and can consist of at least one cleaning button 28 and a confirmation button 27. Buttons 27 and 28 can also be arranged in positions other than the position of the display 20 in the beverage production machine 1.
[0076] In Figure 1a it is shown how the display 20 and the RFID reader 4 are preferably located in front of the beverage production machine 1. However, the invention is not limited thereto and the display 20 and the RFID reader 4 can also be located on top, on the side or on the back of the beverage production machine 1. They can also be arranged on different sides of the machine 1. It must only be ensured that the display 20 is easy to read for a user . The RFID reader 4 can also be inside the beverage production machine 1, that is, it can be out of sight. However, even in this case, preferably a symbol as shown in Figure 1a is provided to indicate to the user where to preferably keep the label 31 of a container in order to carry out a data transmission.
[0077] Figure 3 shows a block diagram of the beverage production machine 1 and shows how the control means 7 controls the operation of the beverage production machine 1. The control means 7 are wired or wirelessly connected to the means of cooling 5, to the stirring means 6 and to the dispenser 3 in order to operate the same when necessary. The control means 7 can also receive feedback from means 5, 6 and 3, for example, in case one of the means malfunctions. The control means 7 is additionally wired or wirelessly connected to the temperature sensor 9 and can continuously or repeatedly receive temperature readings from the sensor 9. The control means 7 can use the readings from the temperature sensor 9 to control the cooling means 5 of the machine 1. The control means 7 are additionally connected to the RFID reader 4 and the display 20, control a data transmission via the RFID reader 4 and control settings and indications of the display 20. As further shown, the means The control means 7 can be provided with the shelf life counter 8, which can either be integrated with the control means 7 or can be a separate device. The shelf life counter 8 can be any conventional counter or any clock that is suitable for increasing or decreasing an analog or digital value. Finally, the control means 7 can be connected to the lid 11, respectively a sensor that monitors whether the lid 11 is closed over the opening 10 of the reservoir 2 or is it open. A conventional position sensor can be used for these purposes. The cover 11 can also be integrated with such a sensor.
[0078] Next, the operation of the beverage making machine 1 in these relevant operating modes is explained. Figure 4 shows the display 20 in three specific modes of operation of the beverage production machine 1. The beverage production machine can be configured by the control means 7 in at least one standby mode, a product mode and a mode cleaning. In standby mode the machine is cleaned, is ready to be loaded with a product, and is ready to start a product mode cycle. In product mode, the machine runs at least until shelf life counter 8 decreases below a first threshold value. In product mode, it is possible to serve drinks by dispensing product through dispenser 3. In product mode, shelf life counter 8 continuously decreases from a set initial value according to the shelf life information and so Once the first threshold value is reached, the product mode switches to cleaning mode. In cleaning mode, the machine has ended a product mode cycle, for example, due to the fact that shelf life counter 8 has reached the first threshold value and needs to be cleaned.
[0079] In standby mode, the cooling means 5 do not work, the stirring means 6 is stopped and both the temperature indicator 22 and the shelf life indicator 21 are inactive. As shown in the left picture of Figure 4, the RFID indicator 26 is emitting a signal, for example, it flashes or flashes, and indicates that an identification and a data transmission with an RFID tag is to be performed. The lid indicator 24 in this case indicates that the lid 11 is still unlocked and that the machine is ready to be (re)loaded. The standby mode of the beverage production machine 1 is always set when the machine 1 is turned on or after a cleaning mode of the machine 1 has been completed.
[0080] In order to leave the standby mode, as shown in Figure 5, the RFID reader 4 first has to receive data and the product has to be identified. Therefore the tag 31 of the container 30 has to be approached from the RFID reader 4 and the confirmation button 27 is optionally pressed. Pressing the button 27 is, however, not necessarily required and an automatic detection can take place. Typically, the flashing or light flashing of the RFID indicator 26 becomes fixed for a predetermined amount of time, for example, seconds and after the time has elapsed the data transmission is complete and the reading is confirmed, for example, by an acoustic signal released as a beep. However, other signs and indications can also be provided.
[0081] The control means 7 then identifies the product in the container 30 based on the identification information included in the received data and sets a value of the shelf life counter 8 according to the shelf life information, both received in the data transmission. Now a state on display 20 shows the current temperature in reservoir 2, which is measured and monitored by temperature sensor 9 and shows the value of shelf life counter 8. To complete the process of exiting the standby mode, the user has who load the reservoir 2 with the product, have to close the lid 11 and optionally have to press a confirmation button 27. Then, the control means 7 sets the beverage production machine 1 in the product mode.
[0082] In product mode, cooling means 5 and stirring means 6 are always active, lid 11 is always locked, and temperature indicator 22 and shelf life indicator 21 are always active. Additionally, the shelf life counter 8 continuously decreases the shelf life value from the initially set values according to the shelf life information. In product mode a user can operate the beverage production machine 1 to dispense portions of the product through the dispenser 3. Therefore, typical controls, as may be in conventional beverage production machines 1, can be provided. For example, machine control panel 1 can be provided with buttons to dispense differently sized portions of product or different types of products. The temperature could be additional and manually set by a user. Alternatively, to reduce a drink, the control means 7 reads ideal parameters stored in accordance with the product identification information and produces the product portion accordingly.
[0083] In product mode, the user can recharge the reservoir 2, if it is empty, without clearing only if the shelf life counter has not reached the first predetermined threshold value. It means if the product has not reached its expiration date. Therefore, the user operates a dedicated button to interrupt or leave the product mode, then has to provide new identification information for an additional product via the RFID reader 4 and can finally continue the product mode after recharging by pressing up a dedicated button. Optionally, a specified amount of time can be subtracted from the shelf life counter value 8, as to whether a refill without cleaning reservoir 2 is allowed. This function provides temporary security storage. For example, 24 hours could be subtracted to ensure that the shelf life counter value 8 will not reach the first threshold value of the next full day.
[0084] If the value of the shelf life counter 8 reaches the first threshold value, i.e. is equal to or less than the first threshold value, the control means 7 automatically sets the beverage production machine 1 to mode cleaning. The first threshold value can be, for example, zero, ie the expiry date of the product has been reached. Alternatively a safety buffer can be added to the first threshold value. In cleaning mode it is necessary to clean at least the reservoir 2. Therefore, the reservoir 2 has to be removed for more than a first threshold period from the machine 1, for example for a certain number of minutes. Removal presents an indirect indication that reservoir 2 has been cleaned. The control means 7 can detect the removal of the reservoir 2, for example, by a magnetic sensor, a touch sensor, a position sensor or any other suitable sensor. clean, for example, a light sensor that detects product residues or a bisensor that can detect the presence of products or alternatively small amounts of a detergent or the like can be employed.
[0085] After the reservoir has been removed and cleaned, the control means 7 can set the beverage production machine 1 to standby mode. In standby mode, in order to reload the product in the reservoir 2, i.e. to unlock the lid 11, a re-entry of the product mode is required and an additional data transmission process via the RFID reader 4 is required. The control means 7 has to evaluate the transmitted data and has to identify new identifying information. The specific identification information of a product, i.e. a container 30 containing the product, can only be used once to enter a product mode of the beverage production machine 1. Only after the control means 7 has identified a new product based on new identification information and configured shelf life counter 8 according to the new acquired shelf life information, cover 11 is unlocked as indicated by corresponding indicator 24 and the new product can be loaded in reservoir 2. Optionally a control button has to be pressed at the end so that product mode can be entered and a new product mode cycle is started.
[0086] Figure 6 shows additional modes that can improve the hygiene of the beverage production machine 1. The leftmost photo in Figure 6 shows the alarm indicator 23 flashing or in general releasing an alert signal, if during the product mode, the shelf life counter value 8 decreases below a second threshold value. The shelf life indicator 21 may emit an optical or acoustic signal, for example it may flash light or emit a sound to alert the operator that soon the product's expiration date will be reached. Alarm mode can be disabled by pressing, for example, the confirmation button 27.
[0087] The middle photo of Figure 6 shows a case where, during product mode, for example, due to lack of electricity or due to a damaged cooling medium 5, a second threshold temperature is exceeded for a second threshold period. This second threshold temperature can be, for example, set to 0 degrees, in case frozen products have to be distributed. Additionally or optionally, the control means 7 are adapted to stop the operation of the beverage production machine 1, i.e. to exit the product mode and to enter the cleaning mode, if such an event occurs.
[0088] The photo on the right in Figure 6 shows how a product mode cycle can be ended manually, for example if the shelf life has not yet expired, but the product in reservoir 2 has been fully dispensed. Or, if the shelf life does not have enough time remaining to allow for safe recharging. Then the user can, for example, press the cleaning button 28 and the confirmation button 27 at the same time, so as to switch the beverage production machine 1 to the cleaning mode. Other combinations of buttons or single button functions are also possible. By the way, pressing the same two buttons 28 and 27 in product mode could select the temperature scale or units on the temperature gauge 22. For example, Celsius or Fahrenheit could be toggled or other operating parameters could be set.
[0089] Figure 7 shows a specific example of a working flowchart of a beverage production method that can be performed in the beverage production machine 1 of the present invention or by any other suitable device. The values in the following example could also be chosen differently.
[0090] Initially the machine is in a mounted state and the cover 11 is in a locked position. The display 20 of machine 1 indicates an error message if buffer 33 is not in position when machine 1 is turned on. Machine 1 does not work either. To start machine 1 the tag 31 (in the bag) must be placed next to the RFID reader 4. Optionally, the confirmation button 27 must be pressed. Machine 1 uploads information such as taste, shelf life and expiry date from label 31 and cross-checks the information. A determination is then made if the machine has been working in a cleaning mode for, for example, at least 10 minutes. In particular, machine 1 determines whether reservoir 2 has been removed for at least 10 minutes. Machine 1 also determines at this stage whether the machine is still running within the first 24 hours measured from the first load. If machine 1 determines that reservoir 2 has not been removed for more than 10 minutes or that machine 1 has been run for more than 24 hours with the same product as the first load (or a different product from the first load), the means Controls 7 set machine 1 to cleaning mode which indicates that the machine needs to be cleaned. To clean the machine, the cleaning button 28 must now be pressed twice (once for confirmation). Then machine 1 is turned off, can be disassembled and can be cleaned.
[0091] However, if, in the above determination step, machine 1 determines that reservoir 2 has been removed for at least 10 minutes or that machine 1 is still running within the first 24 hours since the first load with the same product, the plug 11 is unlocked. The release of the cap 11 makes the machine incapable of operating. The machine's display 20 indicates that the plug 11 is unlocked. The display 20 may additionally ask the user for a predetermined period of time, for example for 30 minutes, to put the lid 11 back in the closed position. After the predetermined period of time has expired, machine 1 can release an alert or an alarm signal and stop. Tag 31 can be invalidated or blocked for further use. Reservoir 2 can now be loaded by a user with a new product.
[0092] After loading a product into reservoir 2, machine 1 can be operated to dispense the product. At some point, two scenarios are possible. One scenario is that the product runs out, that is, it is fully distributed and a reload of the product is still allowed. This can be the case, for example, at any time within the first 24 hours from the first charge of the product. The workflow described above (starting from providing a 31 tag) can in this case be repeated, as shown in Figure 7.
[0093] Another scenario is that the product remains in machine 1, that is, it is not fully distributed, for its full shelf life. This means that shelf life expires before the product is fully distributed. At some point, for example during the last day of shelf life, the display 20 will release a warning signal. Additionally, the display 20 may, for example, show the time remaining to the expiration of shelf life, for example, as a countdown. A time stamp could also be configured which determines at which point of time machine 1 will stop working. Once the shelf life expires and/or machine 1 stops, cleaning of machine 1 becomes necessary. As described above, the cleaning button has to be pressed twice and the machine 1 can be subsequently cleaned. As shown in Figure 7, once machine 1 has been cleaned, it can be started again (providing a new label 31).
[0094] If during any phase of the workflow that was described in relation to Figure 7 an electrical failure occurs, machine 1 will remember the state it was in last. The state of machine 1 can be, for this purpose, be continuously saved in a memory during the operation of machine 1. A timer can be provided with an additional emergency battery so that it can monitor the time, even if an electrical failure occurs. Once the electrical fault is removed, further operation of machine 1 depends on the time the machine has been disabled. If the machine has been disabled due to electrical failure for less than a predetermined failure time, eg less than 30 minutes, machine 1 can continue its operation from where it was stopped by the electrical failure. If the machine has been deactivated for a longer time, for example more than 30 minutes, the machine has to be cleaned (clean mode).
[0095] Figure 8 shows how a procedure for reloading the product from a container 30 to the reservoir 2 can be performed. The container 30 preferably has a mouth 32, which is covered by a cap 33. The cap 33 can be, for example, removed only if a successful identification of the product according to the identification information that has been transmitted to a production machine of drink 1 is performed. Once the plug 33 is removed, the container 30 can be secured to the reservoir 2. Therefore, the mouth 32 and the opening 10 of the reservoir 2 can be of identical shape or at least a shape that allows for easy and proper refilling, without spillage of the product on the sides or top of the machine 1. The opening 10 may additionally have an air inlet such as a bulge or protrusion of the opening to facilitate the product loading procedure. Container 30 is preferably made of a lightweight compressible material such as plastic or paper and product 30 can be loaded into reservoir 2 by compressing or otherwise providing pressure to container 30.
[0096] Figure 9 shows a machine for the preparation and delivery of frozen drinks, granita or ice cream, generally indicated by 110, in which the machine 110 is similar to the machine 1 according to the first modality. Therefore, the same is fully referred to the above description in relation to the first modality it applies with the necessary changes having been made to the second modality and the other mode about the same. Note that the resources of the first and second modalities can be used interchangeably and added to the other respective modality. For example, the following features are identical or at least similar in view of the present invention:
[0097] The beverage production machine 1 and the machine 110, housing and machine body 111, reservoir 2 and tank 112, stirring means 6 and stirring element or mixer 114, dispenser 3 and tap 115, opening 10 and loading opening 117, locking lid 11 and closing lid 118, control unit 7 and control unit 119, display 20 and user interface 120 or display 132, RFID reader 4 and acquisition means or sensor 121, container 30 and package 122, RFID tag 31 and information retaining means 123, cooling means 5 and refrigeration system or circuit 131 and shelf life counter 8 and clock/calendar unit 136.
[0098] The machine 110 comprises a machine body 111 (like the housing of the first mode) in which a tank 112 (like the reservoir 2 of the first mode), advantageously made of transparent plastic, is mounted, said tank 112 is intended to receive the product to be delivered and contains at the rear the evaporator 113 (advantageously in the form of a horizontal axis cylinder) of a refrigeration system 131 (as the cooling medium 5 of the first mode) which is contained in the machine body 111 and around which a fed stirring element 114 (like the stirring means 6 of the first mode) rotates coaxially. The tank 112 is provided at the front with a tap 115 (like the dispenser 3 of the first mode) for delivering the product through a mouth 116 and comprises at the top a loading opening 117 (like the opening 10 of the first mode) which is provided with a closing cap 118 (like the locked cap 11 of the first mode). For cleaning operations, the tank 112 is advantageously removable by means of advanced extraction so as to disengage it at the rear of the hydraulic seal on the wall which extends vertically above the machine body 111 and of which the evaporator 113 with the rotary helical screw designs.
[0099] The machine 110 comprises an internal control unit 119 (like the control unit 7 of the first mode) advantageously designed with a suitably programmed microprocessor system which manages the operation of the machine and which is connected to a user interface 120 (like the display 20 of the first mode) which allows the input of commands and the display of information.
[00100] The control unit 119 (which can be easily imagined by the person skilled in the art based on the description below) comprises means 121 for acquiring information related to the shelf life of the product that are introduced into the tank 112.
[00101] Advantageously, such means 121 comprises a reader that reads such shelf-life information directly from information-retaining means 123 associated with the preparation package 122 (such as the container 30 of the first embodiment) to prepare the product to be delivered. These means 123 will store the information in a format suitable for this chosen type of reader. "Shelf life information or data" is understood to represent, in principle, the information that allows the machine to determine how long the product can be used after it has been prepared in the machine. For example, the information might contain the number of hours the product is valid following preparation. The control unit 119 can thus store said number of hours, with a countdown as time passes.
[00102] The control unit 119, using the shelf life information, controls the operation of the machine 110 in accordance with said acquired information.
[00103] The reader may be a known optical reader such as a barcode scanner and the means 123 may be an identification with a suitable barcode.
[00104] In a preferred embodiment, however, the sensor 121 is advantageously designed as an RFID tag reader (like the RFID reader 4 of the first embodiment). Means 123 is in that case designed with a corresponding RFID tag (like the RFID tag 31 of the first embodiment) which is advantageously affixed directly to the package (for example, below an identification or inside the wall of the package). The reader 121 is advantageously positioned on an outer wall of the machine 110, for example at its front.
[00105] Through the use of RFID technology, it is possible to store relatively inexpensively in the package a relatively large amount of information. Information related to shelf life, along with other information such as product type, machine operating parameters for preparing and preserving the specific product (eg, cooling temperature, mixer rotation speed, steps and parameters associated with the initial preparation), final expiration date of the preparation on the package, etc., thus, can be easily stored at the factory in the means 123 for each product package 122.
[00106] Advantageously, for purposes that will become clear below, the machine 110 also comprises a sensor 124 (for example, a microswitch or other suitable optical sensor or a magnetic sensor, a touch sensor, a position sensor or any other suitable sensor as described in relation to the first embodiment) for detecting the presence of the tank 112 and an electrically controlled device 125 for locking the cover 118. The locking device 125 can be, for example, an electromagnetically operated screw, as can be seen more clearly in Figure 10, the spring lock of which engages a locking shoulder 126 on the rear of the lid 118. The lid 118 is advantageously designed to be slidable on the top of the tank 112 by means of guide rails 127 which snap into corresponding grooves (not shown) on the side edges of the cover 118 so that when the screw releases the locking shoulder 126, the cover 118 can slide off. until it discovers the loading inlet 117 of the tank 112 such that it can be removed if necessary.
[00107] Figure 10 shows, in greater detail, a possible advantageous internal structure of the machine 110. According to this structure, the machine 110 comprises a motor mechanism 128 which is controlled by the control unit 119 and which operates the mixer 114 by means of a shaft 129. The connection between the shaft 129 (coaxial with the cooling cylinder 113) and the mixer 114 is advantageously carried out by means of a known magnetic coupling 130.
[00108] Figure 10 also shows - schematically indicated by 131 - the refrigeration circuit of the machine that is connected to the cooling element in the tank 112 that forms the evaporator 113 of the refrigeration circuit 131. This circuit 131 is known per se and it will not be further described or illustrated here. Said circuit 131 is also operatively controlled by the control unit 119 which also comprises known sensors (like the temperature sensor 9 of the first mode) for the temperature of the product in the tank 112.
[00109] Known product density sensors (not shown) can also be contemplated so as to provide the control unit 119 with data related to product density at any one time and allow, for example, automatic adjustment of cooling speed and /or mix according to the detected data and the result that is to be obtained (preferably also based on automatically detected product data by means 123 in the package). Density detection can be performed, for example, based on the resistance that is encountered by the mixer 114, as is known and can easily be imagined by the person skilled in the art.
[00110] Figure 10 also shows an advantageous modality of the user interface 120 which may comprise a display 132 (preferably liquid crystal type) and two buttons 133, 134, the first button 133 being an "End of cycle/ wash" (like the cleaning button 28 of the first mode) and the second button 134 is an "OK/confirmation" button (like the confirmation button 27 of the first mode). Advantageously, by simultaneously pressing the two buttons 133, 134, it is possible to select additional functions, such as displaying the temperature scale and adjusting other operating parameters.
[00111] Similar to the display 20, as shown in Figure 2, the display 120 advantageously shows information such as the product temperature in the tank 112 (as the temperature indicator 22 of the first mode), the temperature scale (°C or ° F) (as the temperature scale indicator of the first mode), a time marker for the remaining shelf life of the product (eg shown in hours) (as the shelf life indicator 21 of the first mode) , an icon indicating that the lid 118 is locked/released (such as the lid indicator 24 of the first mode), a wash request icon (such as the cleaning indicator 25 of the first mode), a reading icon data (such as the first modality RFID Indicator 26), an alarm icon (such as the first modality alarm indicator 23), a "wrong product" or "expired product" icon, or a time stamp icon (such as the shelf life indicator 21 of the first mode). Of course, the signaling icons on the display 120 can also be replaced by simple indicator lamps (e.g., LEDs) or can be replaced by an alphanumeric display showing the corresponding plain text signaling messages.
[00112] The control unit 119 advantageously comprises a central unit 135, a clock/calendar unit 136, a data memory 137 and an interface unit 138 with the sensor 121 to obtain the useful data from the reading signal. All these units are known per se and can be easily imagined by the person skilled in the art based on the description given here and therefore will not be further described or shown.
[00113] Advantageously, the machine 110 comprises three modes of operation that may be called "Standby mode" (such as the "Standby mode" of the first mode), "Product mode" or normal operating mode (such as the "Mode of product” of the first mode) and “Wash request mode” or end of delivery mode (such as the “cleaning mode” of the first mode). Reference is also made to Figures 2, 4, 5 and 7 which also apply for the second embodiment; as do Figures 1, 3, 6 and 8.
[00114] When turned on or after a wash cycle, the machine 110 is in standby mode.
[00115] In standby mode, the machine 110 is cleaned and ready to be loaded and to initiate a product mode cycle. Advantageously, in said standby mode, the cooling is turned off, the mixer 114 does not rotate, the lid 118 is released, the temperature and shelf life indicators 22, 21 are not active and the icon 26 for reading information from a pouch 122 casts light to signal the need to read data from a product pouch 122.
[00116] Operator needs to move product pack 122 to reader 121 and hold down confirmation button 27, 134. The reading icon 26 remains permanently illuminated during the data reading time (eg approx. two seconds in the case of RFID) and an acoustic signal confirms that the reading has taken place. The read data can be transferred to memory 137 for future use.
[00117] In order to prevent an operator from being able to read the same package 122 several times even when it has already been used (for example, in order to reactivate the machine 110 still containing the expired product), the control unit 119 can reading from means 123 a unique identification code for the packet 122 (e.g. a serial number) and storing it so as to be able to identify that packet 122 as the one used in the future. Alternatively, in the case of rewritable media 123 (e.g. a rewritable RFID), reader 121 can also have recording functions and media 123 can be written so as to mark it as "no longer usable".
[00118] After the control unit 119 has read the packet data, it is allowed to switch to product mode. Advantageously, the control unit 119 indicates on the display 120 the shelf life of that particular product based on the acquired data. Furthermore, the display of the temperature inside the tank is advantageously activated on the display 120. The "lid released" icon 24 starts to flash light so as to signal the possibility of loading the tank 112, the mixer 114 starts to rotate and the system of cooling 131 is activated.
[00119] In this way, the operator can open the lid 118, load the machine 110 with the contents of the product package 122, close the lid 118 and press the OK button 27, 134 in order to start the operation in the product mode .
[00120] The operating principle of the machine 110 for preparing and preserving the product to be delivered is, in general terms, substantially known from the prior art and will not be described in detail here, and can easily be imagined by a person skilled in the art .
[00121] Advantageously, the operating parameters specific to a particular product can be automatically configured by the control unit 119 by means of product data read directly by the reader 121 from the means 123 associated with the package 122 without further action on the part of the operator. For example, the control unit 119 could contain a table that shows the speed and temperature values for the various types of product that can be used in such a way that if the reader 121 reads that the specific product is, for example, granite instead of ice cream, mixing speed and cooling temperature will be adjusted depending on pre-set values for the specific type of product. Alternatively or additionally, the package data may directly contain information relating to the cooling temperature and the mixing speed which the machine 110 needs to adopt for that product.
[00122] Advantageously, after sensor 121 has detected the various data in packet 122, timestamp icon 21 starts flashing light to indicate that a predefined time (eg 15 or 10 minutes) is available to perform the shipment. If, within this preset time, product mode is not activated, machine 110 will return to standby mode. This prevents machine 110 from being left in load mode for an indefinite period of time, which could result in subsequent loading errors.
[00123] Once the machine 110 switches to the product mode, the machine 110 remains in operation for a period of time equivalent to the shelf life of the introduced product and, thus, it is possible to deliver the product (following the preparation time to allow the product to be ready for consumption).
[00124] In product mode, cooling is operational, mixer 114 rotates, lid 118 is locked, temperature indication 22 is active and control unit 119, based on the amount of time spent as indicated by the clock, the shelf life indicator 21 decreases every hour to show the number of hours remaining.
[00125] When the remaining hours of shelf life are below a preset value (eg eight hours) the control unit 119 will cause the shelf life hours counter 21 to flash and an intermittent beep will alert the operator that shelf life is nearing an end. By pressing OK button 27, 134 the acoustic signal can be turned off.
[00126] During the use of the machine 110 the operator, in addition to delivering the product, can also advantageously perform said product reloading operations or end-of-cycle operations.
[00127] Advantageously, access to the interior of the product tank 112 in the machine 110 for the product reloading operation is prevented if, when the end of shelf life is reached, a time interval less than a preset value is not gift.
[00128] In this way, reloading may be allowed if there is still sufficient shelf life available (for example, at least 24 hours still available) in order to allow sufficient delivery of added product before the initial product - although finalized in the recharge time - reach the end of your shelf life. This also prevents any previous waste product from contaminating the product added during recharging.
[00129] In that case, in order to carry out the loading operation, it is advantageously required to move to the data reader 121 the data holding means 123 of another preparation package 122 and press the confirmation button 27, 134. control 119 thereby reads the data associated with the new packet 122. After lighting the read icon 26 for the read time (eg two seconds in the case of RFID) and emitting an acoustic signal indicating that the read has been performed, the unit releases the lid 118 and causes the corresponding signal icon 24 to light up. During recharging, the mixer 114 advantageously continues to rotate and the cooling system 131 continues to function. Reading the data associated with packet 122 can help avoid reloading with a product that is not allowed.
[00130] The control unit 119 releases the lid 118, allowing it to be opened in such a way that the tank 112 can be loaded with the contents of the new product package 122, the lid 118 closed and the confirmation button OK 27, 134 pressed so as to signal the machine 110 that product mode operation can be resumed.
[00131] For safety reasons, during the recharging step, the timer icon 21 flashes to indicate that a preset time (eg 15 or 10 minutes) is available in order to perform charging, following the which, if product mode has not been activated, machine 110 returns to standby mode.
[00132] Advantageously, if the product has been used but the shelf life is nearing its end (for example, less than 24 hours available), the machine 110 prevents the recharging operation since, due to the residual product which inevitably remains inside machine 110, it is prudent to wash machine 110 before loading again.
[00133] In this case, the operator can force the end of the operating cycle without waiting to expire shelf life by pressing the wash button 28, 133 and confirming the selection with the use of the OK button 27, 134. A control unit 119 thus switches to the end of cycle step and machine 110 assumes Clean Request Mode.
[00134] The machine 110 instead of automatically switching to the end of delivery state, i.e. it assumes the Clean Request Mode, when the end of the shelf life of the product is reached.
[00135] In both cases it is required that at this point carry out the washing of the machine 110 so that the machine 110 can return to standby mode again, ready to carry out a new cycle of operation. In order to make sure that the washing has been carried out correctly, the control unit 119 checks, via sensor 124, that the tank 112 has been removed for a certain predefined amount of time (which is for example predefined as being the time required for the operator to perform a proper washing operation).
[00136] Advantageously, when machine 110 is in Clean Request Mode, cooling is disabled, mixer 114 continues to rotate, cap 118 is released and Wash Request icon 25 lights up.
[00137] In addition to the various modes of operation or steps described above, the machine 110 may advantageously comprise several alarm signals to signal an anomaly condition to the operator.
[00138] For example, if during operation in Product Mode, for example, followed by a power outage, the temperature rises above the safety level for the particular product entered (usually the safety level is around 0° C) for a certain time period setting, such as to result in a probable deterioration of the product, the control device lights the alarm icon 23, automatically interrupts the normal operating cycle and switches to Clean Request Mode.
[00139] In addition to reading information relating to the shelf life of the finished product, the means 123 associated with the package 122 may also advantageously contain information relating to the final expiration date of the product package 122. Thus, if a package of product 122 is read as having an expiration date before the current date (stored in machine 110 by clock/calendar unit 136 within control unit 119), the operation is not activated and machine 100 signals a fault, for example , which shows an expired product icon and the expiry date on the display, optionally also emits an acoustic signal.
[00140] Means 123 associated with package 122 may also advantageously contain information relating to the specific product. For example, a product identification code can be memorized so that the control unit 119 can store the product identification code before the machine 110 is loaded and compare it with a new package code 122 at the start of the step. of reloading, in order to prevent (keeping cap 118 locked) reloading with a product other than one already present in the machine 110. The control unit 119 can also advantageously cause a "wrong product" icon to show on the display 120 .
[00141] At this point, the same is cleared as the predefined objects have been reached. With the machine 110, according to the invention it is possible to operate the machine 110 so as to deliver the product only during the product within the validity period, disable the operating state completely of the machine 110 (i.e., normal operation with delivery of the product) when the end of shelf life of the product in machine 110 is reached. Furthermore, the steps to add new product to the product and the washing steps before a new reloading operation can be easily monitored so as to avoid unauthorized use of the machine 110 with the consequent health risks for the users of the product.
[00142] In summary, the present invention discloses a beverage production machine 1, 110, a beverage production method and control and a container/package 30, 122 for a product that is to be loaded in the beverage production machine 1 , 110. The invention aims to improve the hygiene of beverage production. Wirelessly reading the identification information and shelf life information from an RFID tag 31, 123 or bar code or the like on the container 30, 122 by an RFID reader 4, 121 or the like of the machine 1, 110, wherein the machine 1, 110 can ensure that only known products are used and that only products, which have not yet reached their expiration dates, are used. The invention further simplifies a monitoring of the shelf life of a product, and improves the operability, particularly recharging, of the beverage production machine 1, 110.
[00143] Obviously, the above description of the modalities that apply the innovative principles of the present invention is provided by way of example of these innovative principles and, therefore, should not be considered as limiting the scope of rights claimed in this document. For example, machine 1, 110 may have a different shape and single component parts may vary depending on specific requirements. The information retaining means 123 or RFID tag 4 may also be directly within or on the container or package 30, 122, but also may not be associated with the container or package 30, 122 as a separate element from the container or package 30, 122 and affixed thereto (for example in the form of a label, tag or the like attached to the container or package 30, 122).
[00144] In this document, "preparation of product" is understood to mean any known packaged product that is used in machine 1, 110 for the purpose of obtaining the product to be delivered. For example, in addition to preparations to which water, milk or the like are to be added (within tank 2, 112 or before introduction into tank 2, 112), the preparation can also advantageously be simply introduced into tank 2, 112 without additions. for the purpose of obtaining the final product. In particular, preparation packs 30, 122 are known in which the product contained therein is in a ready-to-use frozen state, which is merely required to thaw the preparation, even if only partially, before introducing it into the machine tank 2, 112 and subjecting it to the mechanical action of the moving element 6, 114 in order to obtain the product ready for delivery.
[00145] It is again noted that the resources of the first and second modalities can be combined and/or provided interchangeably and are not limited to the particular modality. In other words, all features shown and described in the respective embodiments also apply and may be added to the other respective embodiment in the same manner and in any combination as long as they are covered by the appended claims.

权利要求:
Claims (11)
[0001]
1. A beverage production machine (1, 110) comprising: a removable reservoir (2, 122) for containing a product; cooling means (5, 131) to cool the product; dispensing means (3, 115) connected to the reservoir (2, 112) for dispensing a portion of the product; an RFID reader (4, 121) for receiving data comprising product identification information and shelf life information; control means (7, 119) for identifying the product based on the identifying information; a display (20, 120); wherein the display (20, 120) has a shelf life indicator (21) for displaying the value of the shelf life counter (8, 136); and wherein the display (20, 120) has an alarm indicator (23) to emit a first warning signal if the value of the shelf life counter (8, 136) is below a second threshold value; characterized in that the control means (7, 119) sets a value of a shelf life counter (8, 136) according to the shelf life information; wherein the beverage production machine (1, 110) is operable in a product mode to dispense a portion of the product, if the control means (7, 119) has identified the product and if the counter value of shelf life (8, 136) is above a first threshold value, and wherein the control means (7, 119) is adapted to continuously decrease the value of the shelf life counter (8, 136) in product mode .
[0002]
2. Beverage production machine (1, 110), according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a temperature sensor (9) to measure the temperature of the product in the reservoir (2, 112); wherein the display (20, 120) has a temperature indicator (22) for showing the measured temperature; and wherein the alarm indicator (23) is adapted to emit a second warning signal if the measured temperature is above a first threshold temperature.
[0003]
3. Beverage production machine (1, 110), according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the reservoir (2, 112) has an opening (10, 117) and a lockable lid ( 11, 118) to expose or cover the opening (10, 117); the control means (7, 119) are adapted to detect and control the locked state of the plug (11, 118); and the display (20, 120) has a cap indicator (24) to indicate whether the cap is locked or unlocked.
[0004]
4. Beverage production machine (1, 110), according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: the control means (7, 119) are adapted to configure the product mode of the beverage machine. beverage production (1, 110), wherein in product mode the cooling means (5, 131) is activated, the cap (11, 118) is locked, the temperature indicator (22) is activated, and the counter shelf life (8, 136) and the shelf life indicator (21) are activated.
[0005]
5. Beverage production machine (1, 110), according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: the control means (7, 119) are adapted to configure a standby mode of the machine. beverage production (1, 110), whereby in standby mode the cooling means (5, 131) are not activated, the temperature indicator (22) is not activated, and the shelf life counter (8, 136 ) and the shelf life indicator (21) are not activated.
[0006]
Beverage production machine (1, 110) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the control means (7, 119) are adapted to configure a mode of cleaning the beverage production machine ( 1, 110), whereby in cleaning mode the cooling means (5, 131) are not activated, the cap (11, 118) is unlocked.
[0007]
7. Beverage production machine (1, 110), according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: the control means (7, 119) are adapted to configure the product mode of the beverage machine. beverage production (1, 110), if the product is identified based on the identification information in the data received by the RFID reader (4, 121).
[0008]
8. Beverage production machine (1, 110), according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: the control means (7, 119) are adapted to automatically configure the cleaning mode of the machine of beverage production (1, 110), if the value of the shelf life counter (8, 136) is equal to or less than the first threshold value.
[0009]
9. Beverage production machine (1, 110), according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: the control means (7, 119) are adapted to detect a removal from the reservoir (2, 112) and to set the standby mode of the beverage production machine (1, 110), only if the reservoir has been removed for longer than a first threshold period.
[0010]
10. Beverage production machine (1, 110), according to any one of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that: the control means (7, 119) are adapted to automatically configure the cleaning mode of the machine of beverage production (1, 110), if the measured temperature is above a second threshold temperature for longer than a second threshold period.
[0011]
11. Beverage production machine (1, 110), according to any one of claims 3 to 10, characterized in that: the control means are adapted to unlock the cap (11, 118) to reload the product in the product mode, if the product to be recharged is identified based on the identification information in additional data received by the RFID reader (4, 121).

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同族专利:

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ES2675723T3|2018-07-12|

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CA2841350C|2019-06-04|

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RU2014106072A|2015-08-27|

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CN107252254A|2017-10-17|

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BR112014001293A2|2017-02-21|

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RU2608299C2|2017-01-17|

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EP3372124A1|2018-09-12|

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CL2014000124A1|2014-08-22|

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MX353793B|2018-01-30|

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EP2734092B1|2018-04-25|

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MX2014000735A|2014-02-19|

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WO2013011078A1|2013-01-24|

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CN103796562B|2017-05-24|

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CN107252254B|2019-09-13|

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MY166490A|2018-06-27|

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CN103796562A|2014-05-14|

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EP2734092A1|2014-05-28|

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US20140134299A1|2014-05-15|

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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]|

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2019-09-17| B06U| Preliminary requirement: requests with searches performed by other patent offices: procedure suspended [chapter 6.21 patent gazette]|

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2019-10-15| B25A| Requested transfer of rights approved|Owner name: SOCIETE DES PRODUITS NESTLE S.A. (CH) |

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2020-10-06| B06A| Patent application procedure suspended [chapter 6.1 patent gazette]|

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2021-02-02| B09A| Decision: intention to grant [chapter 9.1 patent gazette]|

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2021-04-20| 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 19/07/2012, OBSERVADAS AS CONDICOES LEGAIS. |

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