Beverage extraction unit with movable outflow obstacle
阅读说明:本技术 具有能够移动的流出阻碍物的饮料提取单元 (Beverage extraction unit with movable outflow obstacle ) 是由 N·奥布里格 于 2019-03-13 设计创作,主要内容包括:本发明涉及一种饮料提取单元(1),该饮料提取单元用于从包含饮料配料的能够更换的单份分份胶囊(2)中提取饮料,并且被构造为具有流量限制构件,用于在不同的饮料压力和流量条件下提取胶囊。本发明还涉及包括该提取单元的饮料机。(The present invention relates to a beverage extraction unit (1) for extracting a beverage from an exchangeable single-serve portion capsule (2) containing beverage ingredients and configured with a flow restriction member for extracting the capsule under different beverage pressure and flow conditions. The invention also relates to a beverage machine comprising such an extraction unit.)
1. Beverage extraction unit (1) for extracting a beverage from a replaceable capsule (2) containing beverage ingredients and comprising a liquid entry wall (3), a beverage outlet membrane (5) and optionally a circumferential flange (4), such as a flange (4) to and/or at which the membrane (5) is sealed, the unit comprising:
-a frame (6);
-an injection member (7) for containing the liquid of the capsule in the wall (3) and comprising at least a water outlet (9) for injecting water into the capsule; and
-an extraction member (20) delimiting an extraction chamber (8) with the injection member (7) in which the capsule (2) is housed during extraction, the extraction member (20) and the injection member (7) being relatively movable to open and close the extraction chamber, optionally at the flange of the capsule, the capsule being insertable into and/or removable from the open extraction chamber and extractable when housed in the closed extraction chamber,
the extraction member (20) comprising an extraction plate (21) having a plurality of beverage outlets (9) for allowing the beverage to flow through the extraction plate (21),
characterized in that the extraction means (20) further comprise a flow restriction member (27, 27A, 27B, 27C) movably arranged with respect to the extraction plate (21) between a normal outflow position and a reduced outflow position in which the flow surface area of the beverage outlet is reduced by blocking a portion of the beverage outlet compared to the normal outflow position, the blocked outlet being partially or completely closed.
2. The beverage extraction unit according to claim 1, wherein the extraction plate (21) comprises a plurality of raised elements (26) configured for providing apertures (91) in the outlet membrane, optionally:
-providing said orifice (91) in said exit membrane by said element (26) before injecting water into said extraction chamber; and/or
-a pressure increase in the capsule caused by the injection of water at a capsule injection pressure, for example in the range of 5 to 20 bar, such as 8 to 15 bar, so as to push the outlet membrane against the plurality of raised elements (26), thereby providing the orifice (91) in the outlet membrane by the elements (26).
3. The beverage extraction unit according to claim 1, wherein the extraction member is free of any piercing and/or cutting elements for piercing and/or cutting the outlet membrane, optionally:
-the orifice is preformed in the outlet membrane before the capsule is accommodated in the extraction chamber, for example when the capsule is manufactured; and/or
-tearing and/or breaking the membrane by a pressure increase in the capsule caused by the injection of water, for example in order to open a pre-weakened portion of the membrane and/or to actuate a membrane opening element comprised within the capsule, thereby forming the orifice in the outlet membrane.
4. Beverage extraction unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flow restriction member (27) is movable relative to the extraction plate (21) between a normal outflow position, in which substantially all beverage outlets (22) remain open, and at least one reduced outflow position, in which the flow restriction member (27) selectively blocks a portion of the beverage outlets, optionally the flow restriction member (27) is movable into a pre-wetting position, in which it prevents or substantially inhibits beverage from flowing out of the outlets.
5. Beverage extraction unit according to claim 4, wherein the flow restriction member (27) is arranged for occupying at least two selectable reduced outflow positions, wherein the flow surface area of the beverage outlet is reduced by different values.
6. Beverage extraction unit according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the flow restriction member (27) is arranged to move translationally or rotationally or both between the normal outflow position and the reduced outflow position relative to the extraction plate, the extraction plate (21) optionally remaining at least substantially stationary relative to the frame (6) during extraction.
7. The beverage extraction unit according to any of claims 4 to 6, wherein the flow restriction member is rotationally movable between:
-a first and a second standard outflow position, the beverage outlets in the first and the second standard outflow position having the same or at least substantially the same flow surface area, the blocked beverage outlet in the first standard outflow position being different from the blocked beverage outlet in the second standard outflow position; and/or
-a first reduced outflow position and a second reduced outflow position, the beverage outlets in the first and second reduced outflow positions having the same or different flow surface areas, the blocked beverage outlet in the first reduced outflow position being different from the blocked beverage outlet in the second reduced outflow position.
8. Beverage extraction unit according to any of claims 4 to 7, wherein the flow restriction member (27A, 27B) comprises at least one continuous flow restriction surface (43) configured to block more than one beverage outlet in the reduced outflow position.
9. Beverage extraction unit according to claims 4 to 8, wherein the flow restriction member (27C) comprises a plurality of discrete flow restriction elements (46), each of which is arranged for individually blocking one beverage outlet, optionally the plurality of discrete flow restriction elements (46) are formed as protruding elements extending from a base plate (28) and which are shaped to individually engage in complementary shaped recessed portions (47) of the extraction plate in which beverage outlets (22) are embedded.
10. Beverage extraction unit according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the flow restricting surface (43) or the discrete flow restricting element (46) is pressure responsive, optionally the restricting surface (43) or the discrete flow restricting element (46) is resiliently mounted, e.g. with a spring, and/or resiliently deformed when compressed against the extraction plate during occlusion, and e.g. comprises or is made of rubber (e.g. silicone rubber EPDM) or a thermoplastic elastomer or a soft elastic plastic.
11. Beverage extraction unit according to claim 10, wherein the discrete flow restriction element (46) has a variable compressible length and/or is resiliently mounted with variable elasticity to vary the number of closed outlets depending on the level of compression of the raised element against the extraction plate.
12. The beverage extraction unit according to any preceding claim, comprising at least one drive member (30), such as a piston, connected to the flow restriction member (27) and the extraction plate (21) for relatively moving the flow restriction member and the extraction plate in order to reduce or increase the flow surface area of the extraction plate, optionally the drive member (30) is driven by a solenoid actuator, a hydraulic actuator and/or an electric motor, such as a stepper motor.
13. Beverage machine (100) comprising a beverage extraction unit according to any of the preceding claims, the beverage machine comprising: a pump (34) for supplying water to the extraction unit; a control unit (35) configured for controlling the relative movement of the flow restriction member (27, 27A, 27B, 27C) between the standard outflow position and the reduced outflow position, for example via one or the drive member (30); and optionally a thermal conditioner, such as a heater and/or cooler, for example a flow heater and/or a flow cooler, for thermally conditioning the water supplied by the pump (34) to the extraction unit.
14. Beverage machine (100) according to claim 14, wherein the control unit (35) is configured to:
-keeping the flow restriction member (27, 27A, 27B, 27C) and the extraction plate (21) relatively stationary during the entire extraction of the beverage from the capsule (2) in the extraction chamber (8);
and/or
-changing the relative position of the flow restriction member and the extraction plate during extraction of a beverage from a capsule in the extraction chamber,
the machine is optionally configured to keep the flow restriction member and the extraction plate relatively stationary during the entire extraction of the beverage from the first type of capsule, and to change the relative position of the flow restriction member and the extraction plate during the extraction of the beverage from the second type of capsule.
15. Use of a containing capsule (2) for extraction in a beverage machine (100) according to claim 14 or 15.
The technical field is as follows:
the present invention relates to the field of beverage extraction using replaceable portion capsules in a beverage extraction device. In particular, the present invention relates to an improved extraction unit that can extract beverage ingredients (such as roast and ground coffee) contained in a capsule, in particular according to different possible selectable extraction modes involving a high beverage flow rate or a low beverage flow rate, depending on the mode selected.
Background art:
it is well known to prepare beverages by extracting extractable ingredients, such as ingredients capable of being brewed, e.g. roast and ground coffee and/or tea, contained in serving containers, such as capsules, pods or sachets.
EP0512468 relates to a capsule having a cup-shaped body and a tear-off beverage outlet membrane. The membrane is typically a thin aluminium membrane which tears against a tear-open extraction panel of the beverage extraction device, such as described in EP 0512470.
EP0512470 relates to a system for extracting coffee using a beverage extraction unit with a tear-open extraction plate, comprising a plurality of raised elements and channels therebetween (called "flow grid and relief surface elements") adapted to receive a sealed capsule, to introduce water under pressure into the capsule via a water injector, to deform an outlet membrane or cover (e.g. an aluminium membrane) and tear it under the pressure of the liquid rising in the capsule to allow the beverage to be released from the capsule.
EP0602203 relates to a sealed flexible pouch in the form of a separate portion suitable for extraction under pressure, containing at least one powdered substance for the preparation of a beverage such as roast and ground coffee; the pouch comprises two identical flexible sheets of circular, elliptical or polygonal shape, which provide a space for the substance between each other and are sealed on their periphery such that the pouch is substantially symmetrical with respect to its sealing plane, the pouch being opened under the effect of the pressure increase in the pouch when the extraction fluid is injected.
EP0870457 relates to an extraction unit similar to EP0512470 but adapted to contain a closed impermeable pouch of coffee substance, such as described in EP 0602203. The device comprises an upper member comprising means intended to perforate the upper surface of the pouch and allow the introduction of water into the pouch; a lower member having a receptacle for receiving the capsule and the raised portion and hollow portion; wherein the extraction surface of the pouch is gradually and locally pulled against the raised portion and the hollow portion; the extraction surface tears at a plurality of locations according to a path which is predetermined by the position of the raised portion and the hollow portion and where it reaches its breaking tension, in order to allow the liquid to flow after extraction. The lower portion typically includes flow apertures that allow beverage to flow therethrough. The raised portions and the hollow portions are preferably in the form of truncated pyramids separated by a network of channels.
Therefore, prior art beverage extraction systems typically utilize replaceable capsules (e.g., rigid capsules, pouches or flexible pods) that include a tearable beverage outlet membrane (e.g., thin aluminum foil) that can be torn only when the membrane is sufficiently deformed against the raised elements of the tear panel. Tearing typically occurs at the edges of the raised elements, which are typically a plurality of small truncated pyramids or linear ridges. The tearing results in small apertures being formed along the edges of these raised elements. These orifices are relatively small (e.g., 0.1mm-1.0mm long and 0.1mm-0.3mm wide), and typically the exit film at least partially conforms to the top and upper sides of the raised elements, thereby reducing the flow opening area even more. Therefore, the pressure drop at this interface is relatively high. Furthermore, the filtering of the coffee particles takes place at this restricted interface, which is an advantage, since no additional filter is required inside the capsule. This extraction geometry thus corresponds to the geometry that may be generally referred to in this application as an extraction plate with raised elements. The beverage flow is then collected in the channel and discharged through a small opening of well-defined size in the channel.
In the known systems of the prior art, the flow rate and pressure are determined by the intrinsic characteristics of the capsule and the performance of the pump.
The back pressure is highly dependent on the degree of compaction of the ground coffee in the capsule. The variability of pressure can be very high for the same coffee blend. In particular, for certain coffee blends, in particular, in low particle sizes, the pressure may vary from 5 bar to 15 bar.
The invention content is as follows:
it is a preferred object of the present invention to provide a beverage extraction unit that solves at least some of the problems encountered with prior art units.
Another preferred object of the present invention is to provide a beverage extraction unit wherein the beverage flow rate and/or pressure for extracting the capsule can be varied without changing the type of capsule or the type or performance of the pump.
It is a further preferred object of the present invention to provide a beverage extraction unit wherein the variability of the pressure used to extract a given type of capsule can be reduced.
The present invention relates to a beverage extraction unit for extracting a beverage from a replaceable capsule containing beverage ingredients, such as roast and ground coffee or tea leaves, and comprising a liquid inlet wall, a beverage outlet membrane and optionally a circumferential flange, such as a flange to which the membrane is sealed and/or sealed thereat.
The unit includes:
-a frame for supporting the frame,
-an injection member for containing the liquid entry wall of the capsule and comprising at least a water outlet for injecting water into the capsule, and
-an extraction member defining with the injection member an extraction chamber in which the capsule is accommodated during extraction, the extraction member and the injection member being relatively movable to open and close the extraction chamber, optionally at said flange of the capsule, the capsule being insertable into and/or removable from the open extraction chamber and extractable when accommodated in the closed extraction chamber.
The extraction member comprises an extraction plate having a plurality of beverage outlets for allowing beverage to flow through the extraction plate.
The extraction means further comprise a flow restriction member movably arranged with respect to the extraction plate between a normal outflow position and a reduced outflow position in which the flow surface area of the beverage outlet is reduced by blocking a portion of the beverage outlet compared to the normal outflow position, the blocked outlet being partially or completely closed.
Thus, the extraction unit of the invention can be configured to allow variation of the flow and pressure conditions of the beverage extraction, so that the extraction result can be better controlled and becomes less dependent on the conditions of flow and pressure determined by the capsule. Thus, the pressure variability is reduced.
The flow rate may be reduced by one or more flow restricting surfaces placed adjacent at least some of the beverage outlets, thereby reducing the flow rate exiting the beverage outlets. The variation of the flow and pressure conditions remains relatively simple and low-cost, since the invention can be implemented in existing extraction devices without changing the beverage extraction principle.
The flow-restricting member is movable with respect to the extraction plate between a normal outflow position, in which substantially all beverage outlets remain open, and at least one reduced outflow position, in which the flow-restricting member selectively blocks a portion of the beverage outlets.
The flow restriction member may remain fixed with respect to the extraction plate during the entire extraction process of the capsule in the closed extraction chamber. Alternatively, the restriction member may be movable relative to the extraction plate during the extraction process, e.g. the restriction member prevents or substantially inhibits the beverage from flowing out of the beverage outlets during an initial pre-wetting phase of the ingredients in the capsule, and then the restriction member is moved to a position allowing the beverage to flow through at least some of the beverage outlets of the extraction plate.
Thus, the advantage is obtained that the pressure conditions can be changed accordingly by a simple relative movement arrangement at the extraction member. Thus, the pressure may be increased, but at the same time the variability of the pressure may be reduced by employing a flow restriction member that reduces the outflow position.
The extraction plate may comprise a plurality of raised elements configured to provide apertures in the outlet membrane. For example:
-providing an orifice in the outlet membrane before injecting water into the extraction chamber; and/or
Providing an orifice in the outlet membrane by a pressure rise in the capsule caused by the injection of water (e.g. at a capsule inlet pressure in the range of 5 to 20 bar, such as 8 to 15 bar) so as to push the outlet membrane against the plurality of raised elements.
The pressure at the capsule outlet membrane can of course be lower if the pressure at the capsule inlet is in the range of 5 to 20 bar and when the pressure at the capsule inlet is in the range of 5 to 20 bar, and even lower when the membrane is open.
The extraction member may not have any piercing and/or cutting elements for piercing and/or cutting the oral membrane. For example: prior to housing the capsule in the extraction chamber, for example when manufacturing the capsule, an orifice is preformed in the outlet membrane; and/or the pressure increase in the capsule caused by the injection of water to tear and/or break the membrane, for example in order to open a pre-weakened portion of the membrane and/or to actuate a membrane opening element comprised within the capsule, thereby forming an orifice in the outlet membrane.
For example, the flow restriction member is arranged to be movable relative to an extraction plate, which is substantially stationary relative to the frame during extraction, in order to reduce the beverage flow through the extraction plate by blocking a portion of the beverage outlet.
The flow restriction member may also be arranged for occupying at least two selectable reduced outflow positions, wherein the flow surface area is reduced by different values, e.g. the flow surface area in a first reduced position is lower than the flow surface area in a second reduced flow position.
The flow restricting member may be arranged to move translationally or rotationally or both between a normal outflow position and a reduced outflow position relative to the extraction plate. For example, the extraction plate remains at least substantially stationary relative to the frame during extraction. For example, when the capsule is accommodated in the extraction chamber, the flow restriction member is relatively movable in a linear direction perpendicular to the outlet membrane of the capsule.
The flow restriction member may, for example, be shaped as a plunger having a base plate including a flow restriction surface connected to a drive shaft. Such an arrangement can be implemented in the extraction unit without complications.
The flow restricting member may be arranged for movement in a pivoting motion relative to the extraction plate, e.g. about a hinge or pivot point between the flow restricting member and the extraction plate or between the flow restricting member and the extraction part. For example, the hinge may be positioned aligned with or parallel to and offset from the lateral direction of the extraction plate. The hinge or pivot point may also be positioned perpendicular to the lateral direction of the extraction plate.
The flow restriction member may be arranged for varying the relative position of the flow surface area of the beverage outlet on the extraction plate. For example, the flow restriction member may be rotatably movable between:
-a first standard outflow position and a second standard outflow position, the beverage outlets in the first and second standard outflow positions having substantially the same flow surface area, the blocked beverage outlet in the first standard outflow position being different from the blocked beverage outlet in the second standard outflow position; and/or
-a first reduced outflow position and a second reduced outflow position, the beverage outlets in the first and second reduced outflow positions having the same or different flow surface areas, the blocked beverage outlet in the first reduced outflow position being different from the blocked beverage outlet in the second reduced outflow position.
It should be noted that the arrangement of the flow restriction member for movement relative to the extraction plate can take many variants, which can be selected according to the arrangement of the extraction means, such as the available space and the horizontal, vertical or oblique orientation of the extraction means. For example, the extraction device assumes a horizontal orientation of the injection and extraction means such that the container can be inserted between the means by gravity, such as described in EP1859713B1, EP2205133B1 or EP2608705B 1. The extraction device may also be inclined, such as described in WO 2017/001644.
The extraction plate may be arranged to move in translation relative to a flow restricting member, which remains at least substantially stationary relative to the frame during extraction.
In one mode, the flow restriction member comprises at least one continuous flow restriction surface arranged for blocking more than one beverage outlet at a time in the reduced outflow position. The flow restriction surface may, for example, take the form of a full or partial disk.
In another mode, the flow restriction member comprises a plurality of discrete flow restriction elements; each of the flow restriction elements is arranged for individually blocking the beverage outlet. The advantage is to ensure a more effective blocking of the beverage outlet and to reduce the risk of leakage when a complete closure of the beverage outlet is desired.
The flow restricting member may comprise a plurality of discrete flow restricting elements formed as raised elements extending from a base plate, such as the plunger described above. The raised elements may be shaped to individually engage in a complementary shaped recessed portion of the extraction plate in which the beverage outlet is embedded. Such an arrangement may provide increased resistance to fluid pressure and leakage.
To improve extraction consistency, the flow restriction surface or discrete flow restriction element may be pressure responsive. For example, the restriction surface of the discrete flow restriction element is resiliently mounted, for example with a spring, and/or resiliently deforms when deformed when compressed against the extraction plate during occlusion. For example, the flow restricting surface or discrete flow restricting element may comprise or be made of rubber (e.g., silicone rubber EPDM) or a thermoplastic elastomer or soft elastomeric plastic.
The raised elements may have a variable compressible length and/or be resiliently mounted with variable elasticity. The variable length or elasticity enables the number of blocked beverage outlets to be varied depending on the level of compression of the element against the extraction plate. In order to block less beverage outlets, only the longer or harder mounted elements are compressed and the shorter or softer mounted elements remain uncompressed or remote from the outlets. In order to block more beverage outlets, both the longer/harder mounted element and the shorter/softer mounted element are compressed, but the longer/harder mounted element is compressed significantly more than the shorter/softer mounted element. Thus, different outflow positions can be obtained by varying the position of the flow restriction member with respect to the extraction plate.
The extraction device may further comprise at least one drive member, such as a piston, connected to the flow restricting member and the extraction plate, in order to reduce or increase the flow surface area of the extraction plate.
The drive member may be driven by any suitable drive arrangement operating on mechanical and/or electrical and/or hydraulic principles. The drive member may be driven by a solenoid actuator, a hydraulic actuator or an electric motor, such as a stepper motor. The drive member may be connected to the flow restriction member via a transmission, such as a gear transmission and/or a cam transmission and/or a lever transmission.
The drive member may operate the flow restriction member independently of the pressure in the extraction chamber, e.g. to achieve a desired flow, such as a constant flow.
The drive member may operate the flow restriction member independently of the flow of beverage out of the extraction chamber, e.g. to achieve a desired pressure, such as a constant pressure or pressure profile, in the extraction chamber.
The drive member may operate the flow restriction member to simultaneously achieve a pressure in the extraction chamber within a desired pressure range and a flow rate of beverage out of the extraction chamber within a desired flow rate range.
The drive member may be arranged with control means, such as electrical and/or communication connection means, for control by a control unit of the beverage maker or by a remote control device, such as a mobile computer.
Another aspect of the invention relates to a beverage maker comprising a beverage extraction unit as described above. The machine comprises: a pump for supplying water to the extraction unit; a control unit configured for controlling the relative movement of the flow restriction member between the standard outflow position and the reduced outflow position, e.g. via one or said drive members; and optionally a thermal conditioner, such as a heater and/or cooler, for example a flow heater and/or flow cooler, for thermally conditioning the water supplied by the pump to the extraction unit.
The control unit may be configured to keep the flow restriction member and the extraction plate relatively stationary during the entire extraction of the beverage from the capsule in the extraction chamber.
The control unit may be configured to change the relative position of the flow restriction member and the extraction plate during extraction of the beverage from the capsule in the extraction chamber.
The machine may be configured to keep the flow restriction member and the extraction plate relatively stationary during the entire extraction of the beverage from the first type of capsule, and to change the relative positions of the flow restriction member and the extraction plate during the extraction of the beverage from the second type of capsule.
Another aspect of the invention relates to the use of a capsule for such a beverage machine.
The pressure is typically measured downstream of the pump and upstream of the water inlet, for example in the fluid line between the water inlet and the pump. The pressure in the extraction chamber or the capsule can be reduced compared to such measured pressure by e.g. the presence of a check valve at the water inlet of the injection member and/or a restriction provided in the water inlet of the injection member, or by a piercing member engaged in the entry wall of the capsule, and/or by ingredients and/or other obstacles in the capsule.
Description of the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a front plan view of an extraction unit according to one embodiment of the present invention;
fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the extraction unit shown in fig. 1 along the plane a-a, the extraction unit being in a closed position with the capsule;
fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the extraction unit shown in fig. 1 along the plane a-a, the extraction unit being in an open position with the capsule;
fig. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion of the extraction unit as shown in fig. 3 (notably omitting the injection member and the capsule), the flow restriction member being in the normal outflow position;
is an enlarged view of a portion of the extraction unit as shown in fig. 3 (notably omitting the injection member and the capsule), the flow restriction member being in the reduced outflow position;
6-9 are different perspective views of a first example of a flow restricting member having a continuous flow restricting surface;
10-12 are different views of a second example of a flow restricting member provided with a discrete flow restricting element;
FIG. 13 is a side view of the combination of the flow restricting member and extraction plate of FIGS. 10-12 in a standard flow position;
fig. 14 is a front view of the extraction plate of fig. 13;
FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the combination of the flow restricting member and extraction plate of FIGS. 10-12 in a standard flow position;
fig. 16 shows a perspective view of the combination of the flow restricting member and the extraction plate of fig. 10 to 12 in a reduced outflow position;
FIGS. 17-19 are views of a third example of a flow restricting member having a continuous flow restricting surface;
figure 20 partly schematically shows a beverage maker comprising the extraction unit shown in figure 1;
fig. 21 to 23 show a fourth example of a rotationally operated flow restricting member; and is
Fig. 24 shows a replaceable capsule having a plurality of apertures after extraction in the beverage machine of fig. 20.
The specific implementation mode is as follows:
an exemplary extraction unit 1 according to the present invention is described in a general way with respect to fig. 1 to 3. The unit 1 is arranged for receiving a replaceable capsule 2 containing a portioned ingredient, such as roast and ground coffee.
In the present example, the capsule 2 is a beverage ingredient capsule having a relatively rigid cup closed by a flexible outlet membrane. In a possible variant, the extraction unit may also be configured to receive capsules formed as flexible pods or sachets. The pod will typically be formed from a flexible wall. An example of a replaceable capsule 2 comprises a liquid inlet wall 3, a
The extraction unit comprises a frame 6, an
As shown in fig. 2 and 3, the
In this embodiment, the injection means 7 can be mounted in a static or slightly movable manner with respect to the frame 6, and the extraction means 20 is mounted in a movable manner so as to move between an open position (fig. 3) and a closed position (fig. 2) in which the extraction chamber 8 is formed. The
In the open position, the
The
As shown in fig. 14, the number of
As shown in fig. 3 and 20, an
The
The pressure is also highly dependent on the perforation resistance of the outlet membrane and thus on the material and thickness of the outlet membrane.
The extraction member may not have any piercing and/or cutting elements for piercing and/or cutting the oral membrane. Optionally: prior to housing the capsule in the extraction chamber, for example at the time of manufacture of the capsule, an orifice is preformed in the outlet membrane; and/or the pressure increase in the capsule caused by the injection of water to tear and/or break the membrane, for example in order to open a pre-weakened portion of the membrane and/or to actuate a membrane opening element comprised within the capsule, thereby forming an orifice in the outlet membrane.
The extraction plate may have a
The extraction means 20 comprise a
The flow restriction member may be used to reduce the flow surface area formed by the plurality of
When the beverage outlet is blocked by the action of the flow restriction member, a resulting back pressure is created upstream of the extraction plate.
Considering fig. 3 and 4, the
In the free or normal position shown in fig. 4, the restricting
In the flow reducing position shown in fig. 5, the
Fig. 6 to 9 show a
The
-a first standard outflow position and a second standard outflow position, the beverage outlets in the first and second standard outflow positions having the same or at least substantially the same flow surface area, the blocked beverage outlet in the first standard outflow position being different from the blocked beverage outlet in the second standard outflow position; and/or
-a first reduced outflow position and a second reduced outflow position, the beverage outlets in the first and second reduced outflow positions having the same or different flow surface areas, the blocked beverage outlet in the first reduced outflow position being different from the blocked beverage outlet in the second reduced outflow position.
As shown in fig. 21 to 23, the flow-restricting
It is apparent that the
In a mode in which the extraction plate is oriented upright as shown in fig. 5, the
Fig. 10-16 illustrate a
The discrete flow restriction elements may be pressure responsive. For example, the
Fig. 17 and 18 show a flow restriction member 27C having a continuous restriction surface 43. The restriction surface may be dimensioned to cover all beverage outlets of the extraction plate in the flow reduction position, as represented in fig. 8. The restriction surface may be kept at a minimum distance of the beverage outlet, e.g. about 0.05mm, to ensure a small gap 44 for the beverage flow to pass between the extraction plate and the restriction member. The flow surface area created by the gap is smaller than the total surface area of the beverage outlet, so that a significant back pressure and flow reduction is obtained.
In the mode of fig. 17 and 18, the flow restricting member may also be moved against the surface of the extraction plate in a manner ensuring that the flow restricting surface 43 closes all
As shown in fig. 20, the beverage maker 100 includes an extraction unit 1. The beverage maker typically comprises a pump 34 for supplying water to the extraction unit, and a control unit 35 configured for controlling the relative movement of the flow restriction member (27, 27A, 27B, 27C), e.g. via a
The beverage maker 100 may comprise a mode selector 38 for selecting the pressure and/or flow rate of the extraction unit. Mode selector 38 may, for example, comprise a physical or virtual button on a user interface. The mode selector may also be arranged at a distance of the coffee maker, such as on a remote user interface, e.g. a smartphone or the like. The mode selector may comprise at least one high pressure or reduced outflow extraction mode, wherein the control unit operates the pump to supply water to the extraction unit while maintaining the flow restriction member in the retracted position, as shown in fig. 5.
The beverage maker may further comprise an electric motor 39 for automatically actuating the
The control unit 35 is arranged for controlling the
Of course, the machine 100 may be configured for more than two extraction modes by appropriately positioning the appropriate flow restriction members.
The control unit 35 may be configured to: keeping the
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