WO2010093247A2

WO2010093247A2 - Holder and assembly comprising a holder and cup containing a concentrate

Info

Publication number: WO2010093247A2
Application number: PCT/NL2010/050071
Authority: WO
Inventors: Cornelis Margaretha Theodorus Bongers; Wiebe Nicolaas Van Druten
Original assignee: Friesland Brands B.V.
Priority date: 2009-02-13
Filing date: 2010-02-15
Publication date: 2010-08-19
Also published as: WO2010093247A3; EP2395883A2; NL2002530C2

Abstract

Holder for use with a cup for preparing a liquid product. The cup is provided with a discharge opening, and the holder is provided with an aeration device (30). The aeration device (30) has an impingement plate (31) which is arranged at a first height (h1) from an underside of the holder (60).

Description

Holder and assembly comprising a holder and cup containing a concentrate

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a holder for use with a cup for preparing a liquid product, wherein the cup is provided with a discharge opening.

Prior art

A cup or cartridge of this type is known from Netherlands application NL 1029312 in the name of the Applicant of the present application.

Cartridges for use in the preparation of (hot) beverages based on a liquid concentrate are known from, inter alia, WO-A-01/58786, EP-A-O 449 533, EP-A-I 101 430, WO-A1-03/073896, WO-Al -03/053200, WO-A1-02/19875, US 6,130,990, US 4,886,674, EP-A-I 440 907 and EP-A-I 440 908.

WO-A-01/58786 and EP-A-O 449 533 describe a cartridge wherein (hot) water is passed via a tapered inflow opening on the underside of the cartridge, via a 'ring line' containing distribution openings, and furthermore via these distribution openings through a compartment containing a concentrate, the water diluting the concentrate by means of turbulence to form a beverage, which beverage is subsequently passed via a siphon to an outflow opening on the underside of the cartridge.

EP-A-I 101 430 describes a stepped cartridge wherein inter alia provisions are made for using a liquid concentrate (paras. [0034] and [0035]). During use of this cartridge, the wall of the cartridge is pierced, after which (hot) water is passed through the concentrate via the inflow opening(s) thus created and the hot concentrate is thus diluted to form a beverage, this beverage leaving the cartridge via a likewise pierced outflow opening.

WO-A1-03/073896 describes a cartridge wherein the underside of the cartridge is provided with perforations and is covered with a foil, which foil should be removed for use. This cartridge is also suitable for a liquid concentrate (p. 14, lines 3-8 and Claim 18), (hot) water being passed from an inflow opening on the upper side through the concentrate and the concentrate as a result being diluted to form a beverage, this beverage leaving the cartridge via the preformed perforations on the underside.

WO-Al -03/053200 and WO-Al -02/19875 describe cartridges which are made of a flexible material and are inter alia suitable for a liquid concentrate (WO-Al -03/053200 p. 5, lines 19-21; WO-Al -02/19875 p. 19, lines 4-6) for use in a hot water appliance, the cartridge being clamped in a cavity intended for this purpose and being pierced with a hollow needle, after which the water is passed through the concentrate to the outflow opening.

US 6,130,990 describes a hot water appliance which is suitable for preparing a beverage based on concentrate in a cartridge (col. 5, lines 54-67; col. 7, lines 58-61; col. 9, line 66 - col. 10, line 6).

US 4,886,674 describes a cartridge which is made of a flexible material and is inter alia suitable for a liquid concentrate, the supply of water being passed via a connection point through the concentrate to an outflow opening, the outflow opening being created by a weakened sealing seam, which sealing seam is opened by the operating pressure of the appliance.

European patent applications EP-A-I 440 907 and EP-A-I 440 908 describe a cartridge for use in the preparation of beverages. This cartridge has a dome shape which on the underside is sealed by a foil, and is provided on the side of the foil with both an inlet opening (on the edge) and a discharge opening (in the centre). Water (hot water) is passed via a tapered inflow opening on the underside of the cartridge, via a 'ring line' containing distribution openings to the sealing foil, and furthermore is passed via these distribution openings through a compartment. The compartment contains a concentrate, the water diluting the concentrate by means of turbulence to form a beverage, which beverage is subsequently passed via a siphon to an outflow opening on the underside of the cartridge. Special measures are also provided in the cartridge in order to cause the water to run from the inlet opening proportionally, directed radially inward through the interior of the cartridge. In a further embodiment, EP-A-I 440 907 describes a method for controlling the mixing of the water with the concentrate by means of provisions which slow down the mixing of the concentrate with the water. In this case, this provision is configured as a sort of saucer, the concentrate being added in a slowed-down manner via the holes on the underside of the saucer on the flow path of the water.

Some of the known cups and cartridges can be used to produce a beverage with a layer of froth being formed on the prepared product. However, the layer of froth which is produced does not always satisfy the requirements of the consumers.

Summary of the invention

It is an object of the present invention to improve the formation of froth during the preparation of a product when using a cup or cartridge in a holder with the aid of a hot water appliance.

According to the present invention, a holder of the above-described type is provided for this purpose, in which the holder comprises an aeration device with an impingement plate which is arranged at a first height hi from an underside of the holder. This results in good and efficient formation of froth, while still allowing the holder to be produced economically.

In a further embodiment, the impingement plate is bowl- shaped, as a result of which a level of liquid is produced onto which a jet or stream of prepared product impinges during use, resulting in an improved formation of froth.

In a further embodiment, the aeration device is provided with at least one outflow opening. This forms an overflow for the prepared frothy product.

In a further embodiment, the aeration device is provided with at least one additional outflow opening in the impingement plate. As a result thereof, ultimately the entire amount of prepared product can be discharged.

In a further embodiment, the aeration device comprises fastening means for fitting the aeration device to the holder. This makes simple production and further processing of the holder possible.

In a further embodiment, the holder comprises a counterpressure body which is used to open a seal of the cup. Together with the impingement plate and the other characteristic features of various embodiments, this results in a very efficient holder which is simple to use.

In one embodiment, the first height hi between impingement plate and underside of the holder is greater than 2.5 mm, for example more than 4.5 mm, for example equal to 5.5 mm. This results in highly efficient and satisfactory formation of froth. In a further embodiment, a fourth height (h4), which is equal to the maximum height of a layer of liquid on top of the impingement plate in use, is greater than 2.3 mm. This ensures that, in use, a sufficient amount of prepared product forms a layer of liquid onto which the jet from the discharge opening 24 can impinge.

According to a further aspect, the present invention relates to a combination of a holder according to one of the above-described embodiments and a cup for preparing a liquid product, in which the cup is provided with a discharge opening, and in which the impingement plate is situated at a second height from the discharge opening. In use, a jet of prepared product is directed at the impingement plate via the discharge opening, resulting in a satisfactory and efficient formation of froth. In one embodiment, the second height is greater than 5.5 mm, for example 8.5 mm.

According to yet a further aspect, the present application relates to the use of a holder according to one of the above-described embodiments, or to a combination as described above in a hot water appliance which is provided with a receiving space for receiving the holder and a cup, in which the hot water appliance is configured for passing heated water through the cup and the holder.

Brief description of the drawings

The present invention will now be discussed in greater detail based on a number of exemplary embodiments, with reference to the appended drawings, in which Fig. 1 is an oblique perspective view from below of a cup for preparing a product; Fig. 2 shows an oblique top view in perspective of the cup according to Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the cup according to Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a sectional view in perspective of a variant of a cup;

Fig. 5 is a side view of a holder for a cup according to Figs. 1-3 or Fig. 4, provided with an aeration body;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view of a part of the combination of holder and cup according to the embodiment from Fig. 5; Fig. 7 is a top view of an embodiment of an aeration body; and

Fig. 8 is a sectional view along line A-A of the aeration body from Fig. 7.

Detailed description of exemplary embodiments

The holder and cup according to the present invention allow the preparation of (warm) beverages, such as for example warm chocolate milk, using a hot water appliance. The cup (also referred to as the blank, cartridge or reservoir) is for this purpose filled with a concentrate which is mixed, with the aid of the appliance, with warm/hot water and is passed into a cup or mug. Other beverages or snacks can also be prepared based on a concentrate or other preparation substance, milk products, fruit juices, sauces and desserts.

The preparation substance is a product which is soluble or suspendable in a liquid and can be in the form of a powder, a (concentrated) liquid, a syrup, a gel or in another similar form. If a powder is used, said powder preferably does not contain substances which are difficult to dissolve or non-soluble (such as certain proteins), so that good mixing with the (hot) water in the cup is ensured. It is possible, for example in the embodiment of the cup 10 with a plurality of compartments to be described hereinafter, to use combinations of preparation substances, even a combination of a concentrate and a powder.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an underside of a cup 10 according to one embodiment according to the present invention. The cup 10 has a bowl-shaped underside 11 and on the upper side an edge 12. The edge 12 is further provided with a sealing edge 12' which ensures, in interaction with a holder (see hereinafter), a seal of the assembly of the holder and cup 10, so that water is forced out of the appliance through the cup 10. The bowl- shaped underside 11 is further provided with an edge 14. The bowl- shaped underside 11 is sealed within the edge 14 by a seal 15 for transportation and storage. The seal 15 is for example a plastics material seal which is suitable for use in combination with food.

Fig. 2 is a perspective top view of the cup 10 of Fig. 1. The cup 10 is sealed on the upper side by a double seal comprising a perforated cover layer 16 and a pull-off layer 17. The perforated cover layer 16 is for example made from a suitable plastics material (for example polypropylene) and the pull-off layer 17 from another suitable material (for example an aluminium-based foil).

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the cup 10 revealing the internal layout of the cup 10. The inside of the cup 10 comprises a chamber portion 25 in which the concentrate can be placed. Interior parts, comprising a cylindrical body 6 and a central guide body 26, are present on the inside of the cup 10. The cylindrical body 6 is positioned coaxially on the central guide body 26. The complete unit is circular symmetrical and can be made in a known manner from plastics material (for example by injection-moulding). The cylindrical body 6 can be provided with tangentially projecting ribs 29 which give a certain rigidity. Furthermore, the width of the projecting ribs 29 is such that said ribs fit into the edge 14 of another cup 10, making the cups nestable, and this has advantages in the production process of filled cups 10 (stock of nested cups 10 for filling with concentrate).

The cylindrical body 6 is of such a height that the upper side of the cylindrical body 6 is flush with the edge 12 and touches the perforated cover layer 16. The perforated cover layer 16 is secured to the edge 12 and to the upper side of the cylindrical body 6, thereby producing two zones of the cover layer 16: a central portion without perforations and an annular portion with perforations.

The guide body 26 is shaped in such a way as to form on the underside a (cylindrical) perforation space 23 which is connected to the outer side of the cup 10 (but sealed after filling by seal 15). With the cylindrical body 6, the guide body 26 forms a first duct 22. On the underside of the cylindrical body, the bowl-shaped underside 11 contains feed- through openings 21 connecting the chamber portion 25 to the first duct 22. In the embodiment shown, the openings 21 are formed in an injection-moulding process. As an alternative, the openings 21 can be formed subsequently by drilling holes from the outer side of the cup 10. The cup 10 can be formed easily as a complete unit, and the size and height of the openings 21 can easily be determined.

The outward opening is later sealed by the seal 15. In the centre of the cup 10, the guide body 26 forms a second duct or discharge duct 28 which is provided with a central opening 24 (or discharge opening) on the underside and is connected to the first duct 22. In this embodiment, the central opening 24 has a smaller cross section than any of the first openings 21.

Fig. 4 shows a sectional view in perspective of a variant of the cup 10. The cup 10 again has a dish 11 with an edge 12 at the upper side. The bowl-shaped underside 11 is furthermore provided with an edge 14. The bowl- shaped underside 11 is sealed inside the edge 14 by a seal 15 for transportation and storage. The seal 15 is for example a plastics material seal which is suitable for use in combination with food. This variant of the cup 10 is described in more detail in the Netherlands patent application 2000400 of the Applicant of the present patent application which is not a prior publication. This patent application is deemed to be incorporated herein by way of reference.

The cup 10 is sealed on the upper side by a cover layer 16. The cover layer 16 may, for example, be a composite foil and, for example, furthermore comprise a pull-off layer. The perforated cover layer 16 is, for example, made of a suitable plastics material (for example polypropylene) and the pull-off layer from another suitable material (for example an aluminium-based foil). As a result thereof, a cup 10 which is filled with a preparation substance can be stored for a long time, with the combination of a cover layer and pull-off layer acting as a gas and liquid barrier.

On the inside of the cup 10, a static mixer 5 is present which may form part of the cup 10 which is produced in one single moulding step. As a result of this single moulding step, the cup is inherently easy to sterilize with, for example, hydrogen peroxide, peracid, and the like and is therefore suited extremely well for aseptic filling. Such a static mixer 5 contains no moving parts and is therefore simple to produce and reliable in operation. Using a cup 10 with a static mixer 5 means that a well-mixed product can still be delivered without any finishing (stirring of the cup) being necessary.

A cylindrical wall 6 of the static mixer 5 forms a first chamber portion 25 on the inside of the cup 10, which is furthermore delimited by the inside of the dish 11 and the cover layer 16, which first chamber portion 25 can (partially) be filled with a preparation substance.

In the illustrated embodiment, the static mixer 5 comprises at least one second chamber portion 26, in which water flows from the upper side of the cup 10 downwards via cover layer 16 (via aligned perforation openings in the cover layer 16), just as in the first chamber portion 25. Also in the second chamber portion 26, the cup 10 can be filled with a preparation substance which may be identical to or different from the preparation substance in first chamber portion 25. Furthermore, the static mixer 5 comprises at least one riser duct 27 in which water mixed with the preparation substance from the first chamber portion 25 and the at least one second chamber portion 26 flows back up again. The static mixer 5 also comprises a discharge duct 28 which is in liquid communication with an outflow opening 24 for discharging the final prepared product.

In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 4, an orientation rib 13 is provided on the inside of the dish 11 for each second chamber portion 26. This indicates in which area of the static mixer 5 a second chamber portion 26 is located. This is important when filling the cup and orienting the cover layer 16. In addition, the orientation ribs 13 provide additional turbulence in the first chamber portion 25, which in turn results in improved mixing.

Between the first chamber portion 25 and second chamber portion 26, a number of first openings 20 is provided, at the edge where the static mixer 5 adjoins the dish 11. Furthermore, a number of second openings 21 are provided between each second chamber portion 26 and each riser duct 27. Furthermore, for each riser duct, a third opening 22 is provided to the discharge duct 28. On the underside, the second chamber portions 26 and riser ducts 27 are sealed by the material of the dish 11. At the upper side, the second chamber portions 26, riser ducts 27 and discharge duct 28 are sealed by the cover layer 16.

According to the present invention, the formation of froth during use of a cup 10 in a hot water appliance is improved by a number of measures in the vicinity of the discharge opening 24. In general, in one of many variants an aeration device is used which introduces air into the stream or jet of prepared product in the vicinity of the discharge opening 24 during use. This introduced air, optionally in combination with constituents of the product itself, promotes the formation of froth.

In one embodiment of the aeration device, which is illustrated in side view in Fig. 5, the aeration device is implemented as an additional part (aeration body 30) of the cup holder 60. The cup holder 60 is used to pierce the seal 15 (see the embodiments of the cup according to Figs. 1-4 above) before use, as a result of which the discharge opening 24 is exposed. This is described, inter alia, in the Netherlands patent application 2000402 in the name of the present Applicant which is not a prior publication and which is deemed to be incorporated herein by way of reference.

Fig. 6 shows a sectional view of part of the cup 10 together with the cup holder 60. The cup holder 60 comprises a counterpressure body 61 which is used to remove the seal 15 from the discharge opening 24. Furthermore, the cup holder 60 comprises an aeration body 30 which is connected to an underside of the cup holder 60. The aeration body 30 can also be seen as an integral part of the cup holder 60. The aeration body 30 comprises an impingement plate 31 against which, in use, the product prepared in the cup 10 spurts from the discharge opening 24. In use, the surface of the impingement plate 31 is at a second height h2 from the discharge opening 24. By correctly selecting the second height h2, cross section and shape of the discharge opening 24 and pressure in the hot water appliance, the prepared product is spurted against the impingement plate 31 as a jet. This leads to a number of effects which result in an improvement in the formation of froth on the final prepared product. Thus, part of the prepared product will splash upwards, as a result of which air will be introduced into the prepared product. The prepared product will be atomized to a certain degree, and it is also possible for additional air to be introduced into the prepared product as a result of turbulence in the stream of the prepared product. Eventually, the prepared product will flow via the outflow openings 32 through the hot water appliance into a mug or bowl.

As can be seen in the sectional view of the embodiment from Fig. 6, the impingement plate 31 is at a first height hi from an upper edge of the aeration body 30. In combination with the geometry of the cup holder 60 and cup 10, it is possible to vary the second height h2 between impingement plate 31 and discharge opening 24 in use by varying the first height hi (during production of the aeration body 30). In an exemplary embodiment, the first height hi is 3.5 mm, and the second height h2 6.46 mm. Alternatively, the position of the impingement plate 31 in the cup holder 60 at which a sufficient degree of formation of froth is achieved can be defined as a third height h3 between the impingement plate 31 and the edge of the counterpressure body 61, as represented in Fig. 6.

Tests have shown that a first height hi of more than 2.5 mm results in a significantly larger amount of froth with a more uniform distribution of the bubble size. Background to this is a minimum (critical) amount of liquid which is required in order to entrap air. Secondly, large bubbles which have already formed are forced back into the impact zone (as a result of the underpressure) due to the small surface area of the puddle formed on the impingement plate 31 and thus fragmented to form smaller bubbles. In a further embodiment, the first height hi is smaller than 6 mm, more preferably approximately 5.5 mm. With a greater height, there is a chance that the jet becomes less laminar, thus reducing the effectiveness of the impingement plate 31.

It was furthermore found that if, in use, the second height h2 (the distance between a lower edge of the discharge opening 24 and the bottom of the impingement plate 31) is greater than 5.5 mm, this results in a satisfactory action. In one exemplary embodiment, the second height is 8.5 mm. Fig. 7 shows a top view of the aeration body 30 before being attached to the holder 60. The impingement plate 31 is situated in the centre of the aeration body 30, with three radial legs 35 being connected to the impingement plate 31 in the illustrated exemplary embodiment, resulting in three outflow openings 32. In alternative embodiments, more or less radial legs 35 (and outflow openings 32) may be present. The size of the outflow openings 32 is as large as possible, so that froth which has already formed in the prepared product simply flows through. The impingement plate 31 is then used as efficiently as possible to introduce additional air into the jet of prepared product from the discharge opening 24.

In the illustrated embodiment, three attachment openings 33 are present on the high outer edge of the aeration body 30. By means of these attachment openings 33, the aeration body 30 can be attached to the holder. In this embodiment, the part of the aeration body 30 with attachment openings 33 is of a flat design, so that it can easily be attached to the (flat) underside of the cup holder 60. This may be effected in various alternative ways, for example by means of screwing, gluing, welding, etc. In one embodiment, the cross section of the aeration body 30 is equal to 25 mm.

In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 7, the aeration body 30 is also provided with an additional outflow opening 34 which is situated non-centrally in the impingement plate 31 (that is to say outside the region). As a result thereof, the outflow of the prepared product containing additional air (froth) can be improved. The outflow opening 34 is situated outside the part of the impingement plate 31 on which, in use, the jet of prepared product from the discharge opening 24 impinges.

Fig. 8 shows a sectional view of the aeration body 30 in more detail. In this case, the first height hi between the upper edge of the aeration body 30 and the impingement plate 31 is indicated again. This view also clearly shows that the legs 35 which connect the edge of the aeration body 30 to the impingement plate 31 are curved. In this embodiment, the impingement plate 31 is bowl- shaped, with an edge 36 having a fourth height h4 protruding above the impingement plate 31. In other words, the holder is characterized by a fourth height h4, which is equal to the maximum height of a layer of liquid on top of the impingement plate 31 in use. As a result thereof, in use, an amount of prepared product remains on the impingement plate, due to which the jet of prepared product from the discharge opening 24 hits a surface of liquid, thus ensuring a satisfactory formation of froth. In addition to the abovementioned factors, in this embodiment the degree of froth formation also depends on the fourth height h4, which determines the ultimate amount of liquid on the impingement plate 31. In one exemplary embodiment, the fourth height h4 equals 2.5 mm, with a mean cross section of the bowl-shaped reservoir above the impingement plate 31 of 8.15 mm. A height of 2.3 mm or more (for example 2.7 mm) has also shown to yield good results.

The relationship of the fourth height h4 and the diameter of the impingement plate 31 and the second height h2 eventually determine the performance of the aeration device 30.

The embodiment illustrated in Fig. 8 also shows the optional additional outflow opening 34. The cross section of this additional outflow opening 34 is so small that, in use, an amount of liquid remains on the impingement plate 31. This has the advantage that all of the prepared product flowing out of the discharge opening 24 of the cup can also flow out of the cup holder 60 with aeration body 30.

The aeration device 30 according to the above-described embodiments is made of metal, such as aluminium, nickel, etc. In a further embodiment, the aeration device 30 may be made from the same material as the holder 60.

Claims

1. Holder for use with a cup for preparing a liquid product, wherein the cup is provided with a discharge opening, in which the holder comprises an aeration device with an impingement plate (31) which is arranged at a first height (hi) from an underside of the holder.

2. Holder according to Claim 1 , in which the impingement plate (31) is bowl- shaped.

3. Holder according to Claim 1 or 2, in which the aeration device (30) is provided with at least one outflow opening (32).

4. Holder according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, in which the aeration device (30) is provided with at least one additional outflow opening (34) in the impingement plate (31).

5. Holder according to one of Claims 1-4, in which the aeration device (30) comprises fastening means (33) for fitting the aeration device (30) to the holder (60).

6. Holder according to one of Claims 1-5, in which the holder (60) comprises a counterpressure body (61) which is used to open a seal (15) of the cup (10).

7. Holder according to one of Claims 1-5, in which the first height (hi) is greater than 2.5 mm.

8. Holder according to one of the preceding Claims 1-7, in which a fourth height (h4), which is equal to the maximum height of a layer of liquid on top of the impingement plate (31) in use, is greater than 2.3 mm.

9. Combination of a holder according to one of Claims 1-8 and a cup for preparing a liquid product, in which the cup is provided with a discharge opening, in which the impingement plate (31) is situated at a second height (h2) from the discharge opening (24).

10. Combination according to Claim 9, in which the second height (h2) is greater than 5.5 mm.

11. Use of a holder according to one of Claims 1 -8, or a combination according to Claim 9 or 10 in a hot water appliance which is provided with a receiving space for receiving the holder (60) and the cup (10), in which the hot water appliance is configured for passing heated water through the cup (10) and the holder (60).