IMPROVEMENT TO A MACHINE FOR THE PREPARATION OF A SINGLE DOSE OF A FOOD PRODUCT Technical field

This invention relates to an improvement to a machine for preparing a single dose of a food product.

In particular, the machine according to the invention is used for preparing, making and dispensing food products in a liquid or semidiquid (creamy) state. In particular, the invention relates to infusion or extraction products (such as, for example, coffee) or ice cream products prepared with single- dose capsules.

Background art

Patent document WO2015/092637 in the name of the same Applicant as this invention discloses a machine for preparing single-dose ice cream products or infusion or extraction products.

The machine comprises:

- a device for feeding a solvent liquid (water) having at least one duct for conveying the liquid;

- a device for heating the solvent liquid positioned along the duct for conveying the liquid (heating between 50°C and 99°C);

- a chamber for housing a single-dose capsule of a food product having an inlet opening connected to the duct for conveying the liquid, and configured for feeding the liquid in the housing seat, and for intercepting the single-dose capsule, and at least one outlet duct of the product-liquid mixture;

- a cooling unit or chamber (mixing and cooling) connected to the outlet duct of the mixture to allow the mixture to be fed into the cooling chamber; - a first unit for dispensing the product formed inside the cooling chamber connected to the chamber, for dispensing the product formed in a single dose.

In addition, the machine illustrated in the patent document has the chamber for housing the single-dose capsule configured to be able to be replaced according to the type of product to be dispensed.

In particular, the housing chamber can be engaged by a first or second carriage for housing corresponding single-dose capsules, which can be replaced with each other, and configured for diversifying the outlet ducts: the first outlet duct of the first carriage, as mentioned, allows the feeding of the single-dose product-liquid mixture towards the cooling chamber (cold product), whilst the second outlet duct (prepared on the second carriage) directs the single-dose product-liquid mixture directly towards a second dispensing unit for the hot infusion product.

The possibility of being able to dispense two types of single-dose products (hot and cold) is made possible by the presence of the device for heating the solvent liquid positioned along the duct for conveying the liquid.

The introduction of a hot liquid has the dual purpose of obtaining both a direct mixture of a single-dose hot infusion product and the feeding of the single-dose product-liquid mixture to the cooling chamber with a high level of solubility of the product (with immediate dissolving of the fats) and with an immediate sanitising of the outlet duct which, in fact, is ready for a new and different food product without the risk of contamination from the previous product.

During the study and production of the machine described in this patent document, problems have been highlighted regarding certain operational details of the operating unit relative to the cold product to be dispensed.

In particular, the cooling chamber has an internal pressure substantially equal to the external pressure (atmospherically) when it is fed by the product to be mixed and cooled, which must be carried from a liquid state to a product/ice cream (cream/semi-liquid)

During processing (mixing of the liquid product) the product passes from a high temperature of arrival in the chamber to a temperature of around - 15°C (this sudden and abrupt reduction in temperature is linked to the need to avoid the formation of crystals which are too large, in order to have a smoother and less rough compound). The air inside the cooling chamber is captured by the molecules of fat and proteins present in the product. The agitation of the mixture is used to favour the incorporation of the air in the product to increase the volume of the compound and soften it.

In short, therefore, the absorption of the air in the product to increase the volume reduces the pressure inside the chamber until it has a substantial negative pressure inside the chamber.

It has been noted, during the tests, that at the end of the procedure for stirring and activating the first dispensing unit, the product is unable to be dispensed in a correct manner, not having sufficient pressure to be able to be expelled in its entirety (with problems of continuous cleaning of the mixing and cooling chamber at each change of product).

In addition, the increase in the volume of the product occludes any opening leading into the chamber with the risk of both clogging the opening and rendering impure the inner zone, for example, of the outlet duct of the mixture.

Aim of the invention

The aim of the invention is therefore to provide an improvement to a machine for preparing a single dose of a food product which overcomes the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art.

In particular, the aim of the invention is to provide an improvement to the machine for preparing a single dose of a food product which is able to obtain a fast and effective dispensing of a cold product without affecting the base structure of the machine.

A further aim of the invention is to propose an improvement to a machine for preparing a single dose of a food product which is able to increase the sanitising of the first outlet duct in synergy with the hot mixing liquid. Said aims are fully achieved by the improvement of the machine for preparing a single dose of a food product according to the invention as characterised in the appended claims.

The main features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred, non-limiting embodiment, illustrated purely by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a machine for preparing a single dose of a cold or hot food product according to the invention;

- Figure 2 is a schematic side view with some parts cut away to better illustrate others of the machine of Figure 1 ;

- Figure 3 is a schematic top plan view with some parts cut away to better illustrate others of the machine of Figure 1 ;

- Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of a component of the machine of the previous drawings;

- Figure 5 is a perspective view with some parts cut away in order to better illustrate others of a component of the machine of Figure 4;

- Figure 6 is a top plan view of the component of the machine of Figures 4 and 5

With reference to the accompanying drawings, and with particular reference to Figure 1 , the machine according to the invention, labelled 100 in its entirety, is used for preparing a single dose of a cold or hot food product.

In particular, see also Figures 2 and 3, the machine 100 comprises a device 1 for feeding a solvent liquid having at least one duct 2 for conveying the liquid.

The machine 100 also comprises at least a first chamber 3 for housing a single-dose capsule 4 of a food product. The first housing chamber 3 has an inlet opening connected to the duct 2 for conveying the liquid.

The first housing chamber 3 is also configured for allowing the liquid to intercept the single-dose capsule 4 and to release the product-liquid mixture in an outlet duct 5 of the product-liquid mixture.

The machine 100 comprises a device 6 for heating the solvent liquid positioned between the device 1 for feeding the liquid and the first housing chamber 3, in such a way as to intercept the duct 2 for conveying the liquid and heating the liquid to a temperature greater than ambient temperature (between 40°C and 99°C) prior to its infeed in the first housing chamber 3.

The machine 100 also comprises a cooling chamber 7 (mixing and cooling chamber) connected to the outlet duct 5 of the product-liquid mixture to allow the entry of the hot product-liquid mixture inside the cooling chamber 7.

The machine 100 comprises a unit or head 8 for dispensing a single dose of cold product, formed inside the cooling chamber 7, connected to the cooling chamber 7.

The dispensing head 8 has a device 9 for dispensing the cold product in the form of a single dose.

As illustrated, see also Figures 4 to 6, the machine 100 comprises a second duct 10 for the passage of air connected, at its first end, to the outlet duct 5 of the hot product-liquid mixture at a "T” joining point for intercepting the outlet duct 5 between the first chamber 3 for housing the capsule 4 and the cooling chamber 7.

Again as illustrated, the machine 100 comprises a device 1 1 for generating air connected to a second end of the second duct 10 for the passage of air.

The machine 100 also comprises a distribution chamber 12 which defines the“T” joining point for the connection between the outlet duct 5 and the second duct 10 for the passage of the air and in such a way as to define two different sections of the outlet duct 5.

In other words, the distribution chamber 12 separates the outlet duct 5 into a first section from the chamber 3 for housing the capsule 4 to the distribution chamber 12 and a second section from the distribution chamber 12 to the cooling chamber 7.

The distribution chamber 12 having a valve device 13 configured to activate, selectively:

- in a first operating position, the passage of the hot product-liquid mixture along the entire extension of the outlet duct 5 from the first housing chamber 3 to the cooling chamber 7

or,

- in a second operating configuration, only the passage of the air along the section of outlet duct 5 extending from the distribution chamber 12 to the cooling chamber 7.

The machine 100 also comprises a unit 14 for controlling the machine connected at least to the dispensing device 9 and to the air generation device 1 1 and to the valve device 13 and programmed to activate the air generation device 1 1 and configure the valve device 13 in the second operating position, at least for a predetermined time, at an activation of the device 9 for dispensing the cold single-dose product prepared.

It should be noted that most of the components described above are housed in a closed frame 101 of the machine 100.

In particular, the frame 101 houses the water supply device 1 , the transport duct 2, the heating device, the cooling chamber 7, the second duct 10, the device 11 for generating air and the first chamber 3 for housing the capsule 4 when it is in the operating dispensing position.

Preferably, the first housing chamber 3 (see for example Figure 4) contains the capsule 4 and it is structured in such a way that the hot solvent liquid flows from the top and towards the upper end of the capsule 4, which is configured in such a way as to allow a first internal mixing of the solvent liquid-product inside the capsule 4 and, subsequently, thanks to the sliding of the cap of the capsule 4 towards the bottom of the capsule 4 (upon the action of the pressure of the solvent liquid) there is the expulsion of the liquid mixture produced in the outlet duct 5 (the structure of the capsule 4 is described in patent document WO2019/003139).

The device 1 for supplying water is illustrated as a tank for containing water positioned on the rear part of the machine 100 and equipped with a pump 1 a for supplying water, when required, connected to the conveying duct 2 (all positioned in the frame 101 ).

Alternatively, the device for supplying wafer may be directly a source of external water supply (from utility) connected directly to the transport duct 2 and to the pump 1 a.

The cooling or mixing and cooling chamber 7 comprises a cylindrical chamber having inside it a screw stirrer 7a for forming the cold product. The stirrer is connected to a drive unit 7b for its axial rotation.

A spiral duct 7c is wound around the cylindrical chamber and is connected to a compressor 7d forming part of a cold circuit capable of keeping the cooling chamber at a constant temperature (approx. -15°C).

The above-mentioned dispensing device 9 comprises a control lever articulated to the dispensing head 8 and configured to open a duct for connecting the cooling chamber 7 with a dispensing nozzle 9a.

It should be noted that the air generating device 1 1 comprises an independent compressor connected directly to the second duct 10 (also positioned inside the frame 101 ).

Preferably (see Figures 4 to 6), the dispensing head 8 comprises, in a single body, a first portion 8a (with a circular cross-section) and a second lateral portion.

The first portion 8a is configured for closing the cooling chamber 7 and on which is mounted the dispensing device 9 connected to the cooling chamber 7.

The second portion extends laterally relative to the first portion 8a and comprises an inner platform 8b positioned parallel to the cooling chamber 7 (inside the frame 101 ).

Preferably, on the inner platform 8b of the dispensing head 8 is associated the first chamber 3 for housing the capsule 4 of the single-dose food product.

In light of this, on the inner platform 8b is formed a bottom 15 in contact with the single-dose capsule 4 connected to the outlet duct 5 of the product-liquid mixture (figures 5 and 6).

Preferably, on the dispensing head 8 are made the first outlet duct 5 and the second duct 10 for the passage of air.

In light of this, the first outlet duct 5 is formed, for the first section, on the inner platform 8b and, for its second section, in the first portion 8a of the dispensing head 8 from which it leads into the cooling chamber 7.

In other words, and as already mentioned, the first outlet duct 5 comprises two sections connected to each other by the distribution chamber 12 (substantially at right angles to each other).

Preferably, the distribution chamber 12, defining the "T” joining point, is made on the dispensing head 8 and comprises a cylindrical seat 16 having a bottom into which leads the first stretch of the outlet duct 5 connected to the first chamber 3 for housing the single-dose capsule 4 and the first end of the second duct 10.

The distribution chamber 12 also has an opening towards the outside, engaged by a removable cap 17,

In light of this, the cylindrical seat 16 has a further lower radial opening connected to the remaining stretch of the first outlet duct 5 connected to the cooling chamber 7.

It should be noted that the distribution chamber 12 is formed on the connecting stretch between the first portion and the second lateral portion of the dispensing head 8, in such a way as to position the cap 17 in a position which is easy to access.

The valve device 13 may consist of a group of non-return valves housed in the cylindrical seat 16 and positioned for closing, respectively, the first stretch of the outlet duct 5 and the first end of the second duct 10.

Basically, the group of valves intercepts the corresponding stretch of duct and is set up to select (automatically) the feeding of the product mixed with hot liquid or the air as a function of the moment of the process for forming the product or dispensing the product.

According to a non-limiting embodiment illustrated, the valve device 13 comprises, inside the cylindrical seat 16, a first 18 and a second 19 ball positioned for closing, respectively, the first stretch of the outlet duct 5 and the first end of the second duct 10.

The valve device 13 also comprises a first 20 and a second 21 retaining element which can be elastically compressed for the corresponding first 18 and second 19 ball.

In light of this, the first and second elastically compressible elements 20 and 21 (for example, helical springs) are interposed between the corresponding ball 18, 19 and the bottom surface of the closing cap 17; the two elements 20 and 21 are configured to compress axially, selectively between the first and the second operating position, in such a way as to move the corresponding ball 18, 19 away from the corresponding outlet duct 5 or from the second duct 10 in the presence of a pressure increase in the corresponding ducts 5, 10 generated with the passage of the hot product-liquid mixture or air.

In other words, the distribution chamber 12 makes it possible to select the passage of hot mixture or air, thanks to the combination of the ball - spring units, as a function of the operation to be performed: the first is that of the passage of the hot mixture of solvent liquid - product from the first to the second section of the outlet duct 5 (with the second duct 10 closed), the subsequent one is the passage of air from the second duct 10 to the second section of the outlet duct 5 and, lastly, to the cooling chamber 7. Preferably, the machine 100 comprises a third duct 22, which is open, connecting the cooling chamber 7 with the outside environment and defining a compensation/vent duct. In other words, a third duct 22 may be formed on the dispensing head 8 extending parallel to the outlet duct 5 between the platform 8b and the first portion 8a of the dispensing head 8.

The third duct 22 is used to keep the cooling chamber 7, in the non- operating state of the machine 100, at an internal pressure equivalent to the external atmospheric pressure.

The machine 100 comprises a first carriage 23 for supporting the first housing chamber 3 supported by the platform 8b of the dispensing head 8. In light of this, the first carriage 23 is configured to translate horizontally between a first withdrawn position, inside the machine 100 (Figure 4), for dispensing the product-liquid mixture, and a second advanced position, outside the machine 100 (not illustrated), for housing a new single-dose capsule 4 or picking up the used single-dose capsule 4.

Preferably, the machine 100 comprises a second chamber 24 for housing a single-dose capsule 4’ for a hot infusion product.

The second chamber 24 is supported by a second carriage 25 which can be translated horizontally between a first withdrawn position, inside the machine 100, for dispensing the hot product-liquid mixture directly outside the machine 100, and a second advanced position, outside the machine 100, for housing or picking up the single-dose capsule 4'.

In light of this, the second chamber 24 is connected with a duct 26 connecting to the device 6 for heating the solvent liquid.

Preferably, the heating device 6 comprises a selector device 27 for selecting feeding the heated solvent liquid towards the first housing chamber 3 or towards the duct 26 connecting the second housing chamber 24 as a function of the type of product to be dispensed.

The second chamber 24 for housing a single-dose capsule 4’ of a food product for hot infusion has an inlet opening connected to the duct 26 connecting the hot solvent liquid.

The second housing chamber 24 is configured to allow the hot solvent liquid to intercept the single-dose capsule 4' and release the infusion product-liquid mixture in an outer dispensing device 28 present on the machine 100.

The machine 100 also comprises a user interface panel 29, on the front of the machine for selecting the type of product to be dispensed.

The machine 100 structured in this way operates as follows for making a cold single-dose food product:

- inserting a capsule 4 into the housing chamber 3 and consequent sliding of the first carriage 23 inside the machine 100;

- feeding the hot solvent liquid into the housing chamber 3 and mixing the solvent liquid with the product;

- lowering the solvent liquid-product mixture along the outlet duct 5 through the distribution chamber 12 with arrival inside the cooling chamber 7;

- forming the cold product in the cooling chamber 7 (with increase in the volume of the product and reduction of the pressure inside the cooling chamber 7 and occlusion of the outlet duct 5 and the third duct 22);

- activating the dispensing device 9 for the outfeed of the product with simultaneous activation, timed, of the air generating device 11 in such a way that a jet of air flows along the second duct 10 and, through the distribution chamber 12, into the part of the outlet duct 5 connected to the cooling chamber 7 in such a way as to increase the pressure inside the cooling chamber 7 so as to obtain a correct and complete dispensing of the product.

The machine 100 structured in this way operates as follows for making a hot single-dose food product, selected on the interface panel 29:

- inserting a capsule 4' with a hot infusion product in the second housing chamber 24 and consequent sliding of the second carriage 25 inside the machine 100;

- feeding the hot solvent liquid into the second housing chamber 24 with mixing of the hot solvent liquid with the product;

- lowering the solvent liquid-product mixture towards the dispenser 28 and relative outfeed from the machine 100 of the single-dose product. A machine for the preparation of a single dose of a hot or cold food product structured in this way therefore achieves the set aims.

The presence of the auxiliary air duct allows a correct dispensing of the cold product thanks to the increase in the pressure in the cooling chamber with a simultaneous sanitising and cleaning of the outlet channel for a new preparation of the product.

The particular structure of the dispensing head (single-block) with platform and distribution chamber allows an easy and fast removal for sanitising and control of all the parts involved in the formation and dispensing of the cold product.

The presence of two different carriages always allows separate channels for preparing and dispensing between a cold product and a hot product to prevent contamination, but at the same time using the same sources of liquid and liquid heating so as to maintain extremely small machine dimensions.