US 12,245,717 B2
System for multi-ingredient beverage preparation from various container types
Christian Talon, Vufflens-le-Chateau (CH); Christophe Sebastien Paul Heydel, Chez-le-Bart (CH); Christian Jarisch, Lutry (CH); Andre Noth, Pully (CH); Enzo Bonacci, Savigny (CH); Jean-Luc Denisart, Cully (CH); and Alfred Yoakim, St-Legier-la Chiesaz (CH)
Assigned to SOCIÉTÉ DES PRODUITS NESTLÉ S.A., Vevey (CH)
Filed by SOCIETE DES PRODUITS NESTLE S.A., Vevey (CH)
Filed on Mar. 7, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/598,331.
Application 18/598,331 is a continuation of application No. 16/763,785, granted, now 11,944,231, previously published as PCT/EP2018/081200, filed on Nov. 14, 2018.
Claims priority of application No. 17201864 (EP), filed on Nov. 15, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2024/0206670 A1, Jun. 27, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A47J 31/36 (2006.01); A47J 31/40 (2006.01); A47J 31/46 (2006.01)
CPC A47J 31/3676 (2013.01) [A47J 31/3623 (2013.01); A47J 31/407 (2013.01); A47J 31/469 (2018.08)] 10 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A beverage preparation machine comprising a fluid system comprising a fluid source, a fluid pump, a fluid heating element, a first container holder and a second container holder, wherein each of the first and second container holders are adapted for receiving a corresponding first beverage ingredient container and second beverage ingredient container, and
a control unit arranged for controlling the fluid system to prepare a beverage by mixing fluid with the beverage ingredients contained in the first and second beverage ingredient containers to produce a beverage component in each of the first and second beverage ingredient containers and to dispense at least a portion of each of the beverage components of the first and second beverage ingredient containers at least sequentially in a controlled manner to produce the beverage,
wherein the first and second container holders differ from each other for holding the first and second beverage ingredient containers of different sizes and types, and
wherein the beverage preparation machine further comprises a first fluid delivery interface and a second fluid delivery interface which are separate and respectively arranged for independently delivering the fluid in the corresponding first and second beverage ingredient containers, each of the first and second fluid delivery interfaces being connected to the fluid system and being adapted to the different first and second beverage ingredient containers,
wherein the separate first and second fluid delivery interfaces have different structural and kinematic configurations,
wherein the different kinematic configurations have different relative movements between the first and second beverage ingredient containers and the corresponding first and second fluid delivery interfaces, and
wherein the control unit is adapted to manage the functioning of the first and second fluid delivery interfaces at least sequentially according to the type of beverage to produce and is adapted to control the fluid system for each of the separate first and second fluid delivery interfaces in a different manner such that at least one of a fluid flow rate, a fluid pressure, or a fluid volume of the fluid that is delivered in the first beverage ingredient container differs from the fluid delivered in the second beverage ingredient containers.