A fluid-processing device for a beverage preparation machine

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2022408962-A1
Application number	US-202017756767-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Dec 1, 2020
Priority date	Dec 4, 2019
Publication date	Dec 29, 2022
Grant date	—

Abstract

A fluid processing device (10) for a beverage preparation machine is described. The fluid processing device (10) is configured for processing a fluid substance to be introduced into a container (C) for the preparation of a beverage product by mixing of the fluid substance with an ingredient contained in the container (C). The fluid processing device (10) comprises a fluid processing body (12) provided with an inlet portion (14). The fluid processing body (12) comprises in turn at least one inlet means (18) for introducing the fluid substance into the container (C). The inlet means (18) is provided at the inlet portion (14) of the fluid processing body (12). The fluid processing body (12) also comprises an outlet portion (16) and at least one outlet means (20) for dispensing the beverage product from the container (C). The outlet means (20) is provided at the outlet portion (16) of the fluid processing body (12). Preferably, the fluid processing body (12) is a needle-shaped fluid processing body (12) comprising at least one end portion (26; 28) configured for perforating, piercing and/or tearing a specific portion or wall of the container (C) before the introduction of the fluid substance into the container (C).

First claim

1 . A fluid processing device for a beverage preparation machine, the fluid processing device being configured for processing a fluid substance to be introduced into a container (C) for the preparation of a beverage product by mixing of the fluid substance with an ingredient contained in the container (C), the fluid processing device comprising a fluid processing body provided with an inlet portion, the fluid processing device wherein the fluid processing body comprises:
at least one inlet member for introducing the fluid substance into the container (C), the at least one inlet member being provided at the inlet portion; an outlet portion; and at least one outlet member for dispensing the beverage product from the container (C), the at least one outlet member being provided at the outlet portion.

2 . The fluid processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the fluid processing body is a needle-shaped fluid processing body, comprising at least one end portion configured for perforating, and/or piercing and/or tearing a specific portion or wall of the container (C) before the introduction of the fluid substance into the container (C).

3 . The fluid processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the fluid processing body further comprises at least one sealing member to be engaged with the container (C) for preventing leakage of the fluid substance and/or the beverage product from the container (C) at least when the fluid substance is introduced into the container (C).

4 . The fluid processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the fluid processing body further comprises:
a first end portion provided at the inlet portion, the first end portion being configured for opening the portion or wall of the container (C); a second end portion provided at the outlet portion; and at least one first inlet conduit arranged within the fluid processing body, the at least one first inlet conduit being in fluid communication with the first end portion and with an inlet port of the fluid processing device, wherein the at least one inlet member and the at least one outlet member are separate one to another, wherein the at least one inlet member comprises the at least one first inlet conduit and the first end portion, wherein the at least one outlet member comprises at least the second end portion.

5 . The fluid processing device according to claim 4 , wherein the fluid processing body is an elongated body, wherein the first end portion, the second end portion and the at least one sealing member are coaxially arranged about a longitudinal axis (A), preferably a vertical axis (A), and wherein the first end portion and/or the second end portion are point shaped portions respectively.

6 . The fluid processing device according to claim 4 , wherein the at least one outlet member comprises at least one outlet conduit which is distinct from the at least one first inlet conduit.

7 . The fluid processing device according to claim 6 , wherein the at least one outlet conduit:
is a grooved channel provided on the outer surface of the fluid processing body; and is in fluid communication with the second end portion.

8 . The fluid processing device according to claim 4 , wherein the fluid processing body comprises, between the first end portion and the second end portion, an enlarged portion having a cross-sectional area which is larger than any cross-sectional areas of the portion of the fluid processing body comprised between the first end portion and the enlarged portion, wherein the enlarged portion is configured for adhering against a wall of the container (C) at a portion of the container (C) opened by the first end portion, and wherein the at least one sealing member comprises the enlarged portion.

9 . The fluid processing device according to claim 8 , wherein the fluid processing body is a vertically oriented elongated body, wherein the enlarged portion is provided between the first end portion and the second end portion, and wherein the vertically oriented elongated body comprises:
at least one outlet conduit which is a grooved channel, the at least one grooved channel being provided on an outer surface of the vertically oriented elongated body in the portion comprised between the first end portion and the enlarged portion; a beverage guiding element for guiding the beverage to the second end portion, the beverage guiding element being provided between the enlarged portion and the second end portion.

10 . The fluid processing device according to claim 9 , wherein the at least one grooved channel has a variable open cross section, which increases or decreases from the first end portion to the enlarged portion.

11 . The fluid processing device according to claim 9 , wherein the beverage guiding element has a tapered cross-sectional area which decreases from the enlarged portion to the second end portion, wherein the beverage guiding element has preferably a cone-shape, and wherein the beverage guiding element has more preferably a truncated cone-shape.

12 . The fluid processing device according to claim 1 , wherein it further comprises at least one air or gas inlet bore which is in fluid communication with the at least one inlet member.

13 . The fluid processing device according to claim 1 , wherein it comprises a second fluid processing body connected to the fluid processing body, the second fluid processing body being internally provided with a second inlet conduit and comprising a coupling portion for removably coupling the fluid processing device to the beverage preparation machine.

14 . The fluid processing device according to claim 1 , wherein it comprises a second fluid processing body connected to the fluid processing body, the second fluid processing body being internally provided with a second inlet conduit, wherein the second inlet conduit has a decreasing cross-sectional area towards the at least one first inlet conduit, wherein the second inlet conduit is preferably provided with at least a first conduit portion, having a first predefined cross-sectional area, and with a second conduit portion, having a second predefined cross-sectional area which is smaller than the first predefined cross-sectional area, wherein the second conduit portion is placed downstream of the first conduit portion and is in fluid communication with the at least one first inlet conduit.

15 . The fluid processing device according to claim 1 , characterized in that wherein at least one through hole is interposed between the at least one first inlet conduit and a second inlet conduit, the at least one through hole having an average cross-sectional area which is smaller than both the average cross-sectional area of the at least one first inlet conduit and the average cross-sectional area of the second inlet conduit.

Assignees

• Nestle Sa

Inventors

• Talon Christian
• Heydel Christophe Sebastien Paul

Classifications

• A47J31/407 Primary

  with ingredient-containing cartridges; Cartridge-perforating means · CPC title

• A47J31/4403

  Constructional details · CPC title

• A47J31/3695

  Cartridge perforating means for creating the hot water inlet (cartridge perforating means of the filter holder for creating the beverage outlet A47J31/0673) · CPC title

• A47J31/3628

  Perforating means therefor · CPC title