DESC:TITLE OF THE INVENTION

“A BEVERAGE PREPARATION MACHINE”

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure pertains to the field of automated beverage vending machines. More specifically, the present disclosure introduces a fully automated beverage preparation machine, featuring a self-cleaning means, to redefine standards of hygiene while providing, customization to select beverage types.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The beverage preparation has involved multiple manual steps, including measuring, mixing, heating, and filtering ingredients. This process can be time-consuming and inconsistent in quality. In recent years, advancements in beverage machines have revolutionized the industry by offering convenience and consistency. These machines are designed to handle a variety of ingredients, from fresh to powdered mixes, to produce high-quality beverages with minimal user intervention.

However, preparing multiple beverages with their authentic taste has been a challenge. Despite the advancements, achieving the authentic taste of multiple beverages remains a significant challenge. The core issue lies in the fact that each beverage type has its unique flavour profile, preparation method, and ingredient balance. When using ready-made powdered mixes, there can be variations in the quality and composition of the mixes, leading to discrepancies in flavour.

For example, a Patent publication EP4215090A1 discloses an automatic tea brewing machine having a user interface panel to receive user input, a pumping unit to pump at least one of milk and water based on the received user input, a pod breaking unit that comprises a pod filled with tea powder, such bottom of the pod is designed to break based on a threshold pressure corresponding to an amount of water that gets filled in the pod and a carafe that receives the water and the tea powder from the pod when the pod breaks. The automatic tea brewing machine also includes an inductive heating unit to provide inductive heat to the carafe and an infusion mesh to hold the tea powder in contact with at least one of the milk and water.

Another example, in a Patent publication WO2020053669 discloses a professional coffee and tea maker machine. In this, when tea is made, the mixture of tea leaves is accurately dosed, the making is carried out without mechanical compression of the tea leaves dose, and after making each portion of tea and/or coffee, the machine net and the making chamber of the making module is steam cleaned. For this purpose, a coffee dosing machine in the coffee maker with an additional control unit is installed as well as a branch in the tea and coffee exit tube is connected to a steam generator via a control valve.

Furthermore, the machine's ability to precisely replicate traditional brewing methods for different beverages can be limited. Existing coffee/tea vending machines rely on premixed powder or dip bags, leading to issues like the separation of tea decoction and hot milk during dispensing and intermixing of ingredients, thereby affecting the quality and shelf life of the beverages. In semi-automated machines, the lack of homogenization in the preparation process affects the required quality of tea. This challenge is particularly noticeable when trying to recreate beverages that have intricate preparation techniques or require specific ingredient proportions.

Thus there is a need for a coffee/tea vending machine that is adapted to brew the ingredients together that mimic traditional hot Indian tea (Dum chai) and south Indian filter coffee. There is a need to provide a vending machine that preserves the ingredients in their natural state and provides a well-brewed tea or coffee with no or minimal human intervention. Additionally, there is a need for a self-cleaning mechanism that maximizes hygiene.
OBJECTIVE OF THE INVENTION

An objective of the present disclosure is to address and overcome the shortcomings prevalent in existing beverage machines.

Another objective of the present disclosure is to provide a beverage preparation machine that separately dispenses different types of beverages without affecting the desired quality of the beverage.

Another objective of the present disclosure is to provide a beverage preparation machine that brews beverage ingredients together at a defined temperature to, preserve the authentic taste.

Another objective of the present disclosure is to provide a machine that ensures a consistent taste of the beverage for the customers without requiring fresh brewing of the ingredients every time.

Another objective of the present disclosure is to preserve the shelf life of beverage ingredients like milk and coffee decoction and liquid ginger extract.

Another further objective of the present disclosure is to cater to the diverse preferences of consumers.

Another objective of the present disclosure is to promote hygiene by using a self-cleaning means to clean both the internal and external of the machine components.

Yet another objective of the present disclosure is to provide beverage customization to consumers by, providing a range of options as per taste preference.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a beverage preparation machine comprises a pre-storage unit to store perishable ingredients for a beverage to be prepared. A pre-feed unit coupled with the pre-storage unit to mix the ingredients received from the pre-storage unit. A brewing is coupled fluidly with the pre-feed unit to receive the mixed ingredients for heating the mixed ingredients in a controlled environment to prepare the beverage. A filter unit coupled with the brewing for filtering the brewed beverage received from the brewing unit. A storage unit stores the filtered beverage and maintains the required temperature of the filtered beverage.

In another embodiment, the present invention includes a user interface interlinked with a centralized control unit that is utilized to manage several machine operations.

In another embodiment, the machine includes a mixing chamber for reheating the beverages, ready to be dispensed, out of the machine.

In another embodiment, the pre-feed unit is coupled with a cleaning solution storage unit that dispenses a cleaning solution in the pre-feed unit for cleaning purposes.

In one embodiment, the pre-storage unit comprises a refrigerating compartment to store various perishable ingredients such as liquid milk, coffee decoction, and liquid ginger extract at a predefined temperature.

In another embodiment, the machine includes a water supply coupled with pre-feed unit and the filter unit.

In a further embodiment, the two-stage cooling medium includes a pre-cooler unit and a chiller unit for cooling the filtered beverages to a sub-zero temperature.

In another embodiment, the machine consists of a waste collection bin to manage the solid and liquid waste residues.

In another embodiment, the waste bin is integrated with a drip tray with an embedded weighing mechanism adapted to measure the weight of residues of filtered beverages.

.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method of preparing the beverage by using a beverage preparation machine is disclosed, the method comprising the procedural steps of dispensing ingredients for a beverage to be prepared from a pre-storage unit to a pre-feed unit, then mixing the received ingredients within the pre-feed unit. Once the ingredients are mixed the next step is dispensing the mixed ingredients into a brewing unit to initiate brewing the ingredients. During the brewing process, the further step is heating the mixed ingredients inside the brewing unit, in a controlled environment to prepare the beverage. As the beverage is prepared, the next step is filtering the prepared beverage after receiving it from the brewing unit.

After the filtration of the prepared beverage, the next step is cooling the filtered beverage, via a two-stage cooling medium, to a predetermined temperature. Upon cooling the prepared beverage, the further step is storing the rapidly cooled beverage within a beverage cold storage unit to maintain a pre-determined temperature of the cooled beverage to preserve the authenticity of the beverage. Once the beverage is prepared and stored, the beverage preparation process is completed Then the final step is cleaning the internals of the machine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be more fully understood, and further advantages will become apparent when reference is made to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention and the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1, illustrates a block diagram explaining the internal interconnection of several components and the working of the beverage preparation machine, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2, illustrates a flow diagram explaining a method of preparing a beverage, in accordance with an embodiment of Figure 1, of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Some embodiments of this invention, illustrating all its features, will now be discussed in detail. The words “comprising,” “having,” “containing,” and “including,” and other forms thereof, are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open-ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items, or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items.

It must also be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context dictates otherwise. Although any systems and methods similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the present invention, the preferred, systems and methods are now described.

The present disclosure relates to a beverage preparation machine that is capable of performing combined brewing of all the ingredients of the beverage to maintain the authentic beverage as per the customization of the consumer’s taste preferences.

The present invention encompasses several features that contribute to the advancement of various automated beverage brewing systems to emphasize the traceability of raw materials and preserve the prepared beverage at a controlled temperature. Further, the machine allows the dispensing of prepared beverages at a controlled high temperature, ensuring consistency and safety in the brewing process and notably, self-cleaning of the machine.

The capability to make South Indian filter coffee with varying strength, continuous dispensing, and reduced wastage due to preserved raw materials in a customized refrigerator further distinguishes this innovative machine from existing models.

Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram depicting the interconnection of several internal components of the beverage preparation machine, explaining the working operation of the machine for the preparation of beverages. The proposed machine 100 features several components as described below, working collaboratively to prepare a desired beverage, as customized by a consumer.

The proposed machine comprises a user interface (102) that works as an interaction medium for enabling a consumer to interact with the machine for dispensing of desired beverage. The user interface (102) may include touch buttons, a touch-interactive display screen/panel, and the like, allowing the consumers to input their preferences for selecting and customizing beverage options. The user interface (102) enhances the consumer’s experience by allowing customization of the beverage along with an easy payment method.

After the selection and customization of the beverage options by the consumer. The consumer’s inputs are then processed by a centralized control unit (104) integrated into the beverage preparation machine (100). The centralized control unit (104) is installed with an inbuilt processing module which includes microprocessors, microcontrollers, and alike. The centralized control unit (104) serves as the core processing centre for the coordination of various components of the machine (100), and sequencing of beverage-preparation operations in a sophisticated manner to ensure the desired quality of the beverage.

The centralized control unit (104) is connected to a power source provided within the beverage preparation machine (100). The power source may be an electrical power supply, a battery, and the like, which is responsible for providing the necessary electrical power to each component of the machine (100) to ensure the proper and stable functioning of the machine.

The beverage preparation machine (100) is installed with a pre-storage unit (106) which comprises a plurality of canisters utilized for storage of various types of perishable ingredients to be used in the beverage preparation. Here, the canisters are incorporated with various features like a temperature control, a level control, and an airtight seal, which collaboratively contributes to preventing the shelf life of the ingredients, maintaining the required quantity, and avoiding foreign particle entry. The various types of perishable ingredients disclosed here may include milk, coffee decoction, and liquid ginger extract.

Further, the pre-storage unit (106) includes a refrigerating compartment (108) which is utilized for the storage and refrigeration of perishable ingredients like milk, liquid ginger extract and coffee decoction. The refrigerating compartment (108) is equipped with temperature control mechanisms, playing a vital role in maintaining the freshness, shelf-life, and quality of the stored perishable ingredients.

Furthermore, the pre-storage unit (106) is installed with a plurality of pumping means (110) and a plurality of motorized valves (112) including control valves, ball valves, pinch valves, and alike. These motorized valves (112) allow the passage of ingredients from the pre-storage unit (106) to a pre-feed unit (114), installed within the beverage preparation machine (100). The pumping means (110) can be of any type such as peristaltic pumps, flow control pumps, and alike and are mainly responsible for the precise dispensing of ingredients within the pre-feed unit (114), as per the consumer's desired beverage options. This in turn ensures accurate and consistent dispensing, contributing towards the reliability and repeatability of the beverage preparation process.

Upon dispensing of liquid ingredients, the control unit (104) actuates a pair of motor-operated dispensing canisters (116), provided in the pre-storage unit (106), to feed the required quantity of dry ingredients such as sugar and tea powder within the pre-feed unit (114), via a dispensing block (156) installed in the machine (100), for mixing the dry ingredients with the liquid ingredients. The dispensing block (156) allows a smooth and convenient flow of dry ingredients from the dispensing canisters (116) to the pre-feed unit (114).

During the mixing of ingredients, the control unit (104) activates a water pump (118) and the pumping means (110) for dispensing water and milk respectively in the pre-feed unit (114) for mixing the ingredients according to the desired beverage,to initiate beverage preparation process. The water pump (118) is flow-connected to a water source (120) and fluidly connected with the beverage preparation machine (100).

In an embodiment, an instant heating means (122) is installed in the beverage preparation machine (100) and is coupled between the water pump (118) and pre-feed unit (114) via a pair of solenoid valves (124). The instant heating means (122) ensures the heating of water to a certain temperature when supplied to the pre-feed unit (114) via the water pump (118), which in turn results in efficient mixing of the ingredients and pre-cooking of the ingredients to some extent.

Further, the beverage preparation machine (100) includes a brewing unit (126) adapted to receive the mixed ingredients from the pre-feed unit (114). The brewing unit (126) disclosed here, is a double-walled that heats the received ingredients to cook/boil the ingredients in a controlled environment with a temperature range, pre-stored within a database of the centralized control unit (104), as per the consumer’s selected beverage options.

After preparation of the desired beverage in the brewing unit (126), the prepared beverage is pumped into a filter unit (128) specifically utilized for filtering the brewed beverage to separate the solid residues for example tea leaves and fine particles, from the beverage, in the form of a residue cakes. This ensures a smooth and refined beverage free from unwanted residues. The filtered beverage is then transferred to a two-stage cooling medium (152) installed in the machine (100). The two-stage cooling medium (152) is specifically configured and designed to rapidly lower the temperature of the prepared beverage for a pre-determined time while preserving its natural properties.

In a preferred embodiment, the two-stage cooling medium (152) consists of a pre-cooling unit and a chiller unit. In the pre-cooling unit, the temperature of the hot beverage is partially reduced to optimize energy efficiency and prevent thermal shock. The partially cooled beverage then enters to the chiller which comprises a heat exchanger, condenser, and compressor. The heat exchanger further cools the beverage nearer to sub-zero temperature, maintaining its freshness and ensuring consistent taste. The condenser and compressor control the operation, according to the inputs received from the centralized control unit (104) to regulate the cooling cycle, efficiently extracting heat and maintaining the required temperature. This method allows for long-term storage without compromising quality, eliminating the need for fresh brewing before each serving.

The beverage cooled to a sub-zero temperature is pumped into a beverage cold storage unit (154) to store the rapidly cooled beverage and maintain the cooled beverage at a pre-determined temperature. The beverage cold storage unit (154) includes multiple storage compartments fluidly coupled with the two-stage cooling medium (152) to receive a corresponding beverage such as tea.

In an embodiment, the storage compartments of the beverage cold storage unit (154) are coupled with the two-stage cooling medium (152) via a pinch valve.

The beverage stored at the pre-determined temperature is drawn from the storage compartments of the beverage cold storage unit (154), then supplied to one or more heating chamber(s) (130) installed in the machine (100). The one or more heating chambers (130) is utilized to heat the received beverage with a spray of steam generated from a boiler (134) coupled with the one or more heating chamber(s) (132) to reheat the rapidly cooled beverage in a controlled manner to maintain the taste consistency. The controlled reheating process raises the beverage temperature to an optimal serving level without compromising its quality. By utilizing steam, the reheating process is quick and efficient, ensuring that the beverage maintains its original taste and texture.

Once reheated, the beverage is dispensed through a dispensing module (136) equipped with a sequence of dispensing nozzles (138), which accurately deliver the prepared beverage into cups. This method ensures a consistent serving temperature. By following this process, the beverage retains its rich aroma and full-bodied taste even long after the initial brewing, providing a fresh and high-quality experience for consumers.

In an example, the consumer provides a selection for tea via the user interface (102). The control unit (104) actuates the control valves (112) and pumping means (110) for dispensing the required quantity of the tea stored in the beverage cold storage unit (154) to one or more heating chamber(s) (130) installed in the machine (100). On dispensing tea to one or more heating chamber(s) (130), the control unit (104) then activates the boiler (134) to generate steam to heat the received tea beverage in the one or more heating chamber(s) (130) for a pre-determined time and then supply the reheated tea beverage to the dispensing module (136) to get the beverage dispensed to the consumer via the dispensing nozzles (138).

In another example, the consumer input selection for coffee. The control unit actuates (104) the control valves (112) and pumping means (110) for dispensing the required quantity of stored coffee decoction and milk to a mixing chamber (132) installed in the machine (100). On dispensing coffee ingredients, the control unit (104) then activates the boiler (134) to generate steam to dispense the required amount of steam in the mixing chamber (132) for a pre-determined time for preparing the consumer's desired coffee and then supply to the dispensing module unit (136) to get the beverage dispensed to the consumer via the dispensing nozzles (138).

Furthermore, a cleaning solution storage unit (140) is installed in the machine (100) and is coupled with the pre-feed unit (114) for cleaning after mixing with required hot water and allowed to fill in a specially designed container to clean internal and external surfaces of milk, liquid ginger tubes, and decoction tubes in the first phase of the cleaning cycle. In the second phase of the cleaning cycle, the brewing unit (126) is filled with the required quantity of cleaning solution and hot water to hold for a defined time interval and pumped across to clean the various subsystems and other internals.

Moreover, the machine (100) is installed with a waste collection bin (144). The bin (144) is connected to the filtration unit (128) and has a drip tray (146) for receiving the solid and liquid wastes. In an embodiment, the waste collection bin (144) is integrated with filter media to collect the solid tea residues from the filter unit (128) through control valves and to collect liquid wastes from the drip tray (146). Also, the bin (144) is used to collect the cleaning solutions during the cleaning process. Through the control valves, the collected liquid waste is pumped out either to a drainage line (148) or to the waste collection can/bin (144) through a connected slurry pump (150).

In an embodiment, the waste collection bin includes a weighing mechanism used to estimate the weight of the tea residue collected in the disposal filter media to stop the machine from further accumulation.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the proposed machine (100) is incorporated with a steam purging unit (not shown here) as a part of the cleaning system. The steam purging unit is in fluid communication with the water source (120) to dispense steam over the dispensing nozzles (138), thereby maintaining the cleaning and hygiene of the dispensing nozzles (138).

Figure 2 illustrates a flow diagram explaining a method (200) of preparing the beverage using the beverage preparation machine, comprising the following procedural steps, in which the first step (202) is dispensing ingredients from a pre-storage unit (106) into a pre-feed unit (114). Once the ingredients are dispensed, the next step (204) involves mixing the dispensed ingredients thoroughly within the pre-feed unit (114). As the mixing process completes, the further step (206) is dispensing the mixed ingredients within a brewing unit (126) to initiate the brewing of the mixed ingredients.

In the brewing unit (126), the next step (208) is heating the mixed ingredients takes place, in a controlled environment to prepare the beverage. After brewing is completed, the next step (210) involves filtering the prepared beverage via a filter unit (128), to remove any impurities from the prepared beverage. The filtered beverage, in the next step (212) is then transferred to a two-stage cooling medium (152) for rapid cooling of the filtered beverage to a sub-zero temperature. Once rapid cooling is done, the next step (214) is storing the cooled beverage in a beverage cold storage unit (154) to maintain the cooled beverage at sub-zero temperature and preserve its authentic flavour and consistency of the beverage.

Upon completing the beverage preparation process, the prepared beverage is then dispensed to the consumers by reheating the stored cooled beverage via one or more heating chamber(s) (132). At last, the cleaning the machine takes place, which is the most crucial step during beverage preparation for ensuring hygiene and proper maintenance, keeping the machine ready and in optimal condition for future use.

The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within understood that the phraseology or the terminology employed herein is for description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the scope of the appended claims.
,CLAIMS:We Claim:

1. A beverage preparation machine, comprising:
a pre-storage unit for storing perishable ingredients of a beverage;
a pre-feed unit flow connected to the pre-storage unit to receive the ingredients for mixing;
a brewing unit fluidly coupled with the pre-feed unit and configured to receive the mixed ingredients, wherein said brewing unit is adapted to heat the mixed ingredients in a controlled environment to prepare the beverage:
a filter unit coupled with the brewing unit to receive the prepared beverage for filtering the brewed beverage;
a two-stage cooling medium coupled with the filter unit and adapted to receive the filtered beverage for rapid cooling of the filtered beverage to a pre-determined temperature; and
a beverage cold storage unit fluidly connected with the two-stage cooling medium and configured to receive and store the rapidly cooled beverages at a pre-determined temperature to preserve the authentic taste of the beverages.

2. The machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the machine includes a user interface interlinked with a centralized control unit integrated with the machine to manage different operations of the machine.

3. The machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein one or more heating chamber(s) and a mixing chamber are provided in the machine and configured to reheat the beverages ready to be dispensed out of the machine.

4. The machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pre-feed unit is connected to a cleaning solution storage unit, adapted to dispense a cleaning solution into the pre-feed unit for cleaning purposes.
5. The machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pre-storage unit comprises a refrigerating compartment to store various perishable ingredients such as liquid milk and coffee decoction at a predefined temperature.

6. The machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pre-feed unit and the filter unit are coupled to a water source.

7. The machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the two-stage cooling medium including a pre-cooling unit and a chiller unit, configured and designed to rapidly cool the filtered beverages, near to a sub-zero temperature to maintain the authenticity of the beverage.

8. The machine as claimed in claim 1, further comprises a waste collection bin to manage the solid and liquid waste residues.

9. The machine as claimed in claim 8, wherein the waste collection bin includes a drip tray with an integrated weighing mechanism configured to measure the weight of residues of filtered beverage.

10. A method of preparing the beverage by using the machine of claim 1, comprising:
dispensing, from a pre-storage unit, the ingredients for a beverage to be prepared, within a pre-feed unit,
mixing the received ingredients within the pre-feed unit;
dispensing the mixed ingredients within a brewing unit to initiate brewing of the mixed ingredients;
heating the mixed ingredients, within the brewing unit, in a controlled environment to prepare the beverage:
filtering the prepared beverage upon receiving the prepared beverage from the brewing unit;
cooling the filtered beverage rapidly, via a two-stage cooling medium, to a predetermined temperature; and
storing the rapidly cooled beverage within a beverage cold storage unit to maintain the pre-determined temperature of the cooled beverage and topreserve the authenticity of the beverage.