BACKGROUND

The invention generally relates to a system for preparing a beverage. The invention also relates to an apparatus and method for preparing a beverage. More specifically the invention relates to a system for preparing a beverage using a capsule.

Beverage preparation systems are known comprising an exchangeable capsule and an apparatus including a first brew chamber part and a second brew chamber part forming a brew chamber for holding the exchangeable capsule, and a fluid dispensing device for supplying an amount of fluid, such as water, under pressure to the exchangeable capsule. The first brew chamber part and the second brew chamber part are movable with respect to another, so that they can provide for an open position wherein the exchangeable capsule can be inserted into one of the brew chamber parts and a closed position, wherein the first brew chamber part and the second brew chamber part form the brew chamber enclosing the exchangeable capsule. The movement from the open position to the closed position is typically used to prepare the exchangeable capsule for use in the brewing process, e.g. during this movement the exchangeable capsule may be forced into a final position inside the brewing chamber to be formed from its original position where it was inserted by the user. Also the exchangeable capsule may be pierced during this movement, so as to enable the fluid dispensing device to supply an amount of fluid. It is a disadvantage of known beverage preparation systems that the way in which the exchangeable capsule is prepared depends on the material used for the exchangeable capsule. For example aluminum exchangeable capsules tend to be relatively easily pierced as compared to polymer exchangeable capsules. Polymer exchangeable capsules on the other hand may have a higher flexibility allowing them to be more easily positioned. Accordingly the way in which an exchangeable capsule is prepared may depend on the material of which it is made.

SUMMARY

It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for preparing a beverage wherein it is avoided that a material of the exchangeable capsule affects the process of its preparation for brewing.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide method for preparing a beverage wherein it is avoided that a material of the exchangeable capsule affects the process of its preparation for brewing.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a system for preparing a beverage wherein it is avoided that a material of the exchangeable capsule affects the process of its preparation for brewing.

According to a first aspect of the invention an apparatus is provided for preparing a quantity of beverage suitable for consumption, including a first brew chamber part and a second brew chamber part forming a brew chamber for holding an exchangeable capsule. The apparatus further includes a fluid dispensing device for supplying an amount of fluid, such as water, under pressure to the exchangeable capsule. The first relative position of the brew chamber parts defines an open state in which the capsule can be inserted into the brew chamber. The second relative position defines a closed state allowing the brew chamber to enclose the capsule. The second biasing member allows to the brew chamber parts to move relative to each other, but biases the brew chamber parts in each others direction. When moving the brew chamber parts from their first relative position to their second relative position using an external actuating mechanism e.g. a user driven actuator, such as a handle or an electro-mechanical actuator the second biasing member will allow the brew chamber parts to yield with respect to each other if the abutting force between the brew chamber parts exceeds the biasing force of the biasing member provided that a dynamic range of the biasing member is not exceeded. Also, during this movement from the first relative position to the second relative position the first biasing member biases the capsule towards the second brew chamber part. As the first biasing member has a higher stiffness than the second biasing member, the capsule will remain biased towards the second brew chamber part during the closing movement, until the second biasing member exceeds its dynamic range or a mechanical stop is encountered.

As a result, the brew chamber will first assume its closed state before the capsule is fully inserted into the first brew chamber part. A biasing member, such as the first or second basing member may be provided in various ways. For example as a resilient element, like a leaf spring or a helical spring, a biasing member may exert a pushing or a pulling force on the part to be biased. Other example of biasing members are a pneumatic spring and a pair of magnetic elements.

According to an aspect a method is provided for preparing a quantity of beverage suitable for consumption. The method includes:providing a first brew chamber part and a second brew chamber part, which first brew chamber part and second brew chamber part are movable with respect to each other between an open state, allowing for insertion of an exchangeable capsule and a closed state wherein the first brew chamber part and the second brew chamber part form a brew chamber for holding an exchangeable capsule,providing a fluid dispensing device for supplying an amount of fluid, such as water, under pressure to the exchangeable capsule in said closed state;biasing the exchangeable capsule away from the first brew chamber part (first biasing direction) with a first force and biasing the second brew chamber part towards the first brew chamber part (second direction) with a second force, wherein said second force exerted upon a first displacement of the exchangeable capsule towards the first brew chamber part is stronger than the first force exerted upon a displacement having the same magnitude as said first displacement of the first brew chamber part towards the second brew chamber part.

Depending on the application the movement between the first and the second relative positions may be achieved in that one of the brew chamber parts has a fixed absolute position within the apparatus and the other one of the brew chamber parts is movable within the apparatus. In an embodiment the first brew chamber part is movable between a first absolute position defining its loading position to be assumed in said first relative position with the second brew chamber part and a second absolute position defining its brewing position to be assumed in said second relative position with the second brew chamber part. In an alternative embodiment the second brew chamber part is movable between a first absolute position defining its loading position to be assumed in said first relative position with the first brew chamber part and a second absolute position defining its brewing position to be assumed in said second relative position with the first brew chamber part. An embodiment having only one movable brew chamber part is favorable in view of relatively low manufacturing costs.

Alternatively both brew chamber parts may be movably arranged in the apparatus. Therein, the first brew chamber part is movable in the apparatus between a proper loading position and a proper brewing position. In addition the second brew chamber part is movable in the apparatus between a proper loading position and a proper brewing position. This embodiment wherein both brew chamber parts are movably arranged in the apparatus renders the apparatus applicable for a wider range of exchangeable capsules.

Whether or not the brew chamber parts each are movable within the apparatus or only one thereof is movable, various options are possible for biasing the brew chamber parts towards one another. In an embodiment the second biasing member includes a biasing member for biasing the first brew chamber part in a direction towards said second brew chamber part. In another embodiment the second biasing member includes a biasing member for biasing the second brew chamber part in a direction towards said first brew chamber part. Also a combination of these both types of biasing elements may be applied. The biasing elements may serve an additional purpose, for example to position a locking member or a sealing member.

According to an aspect the brew chamber is arranged for selectively holding a first exchangeable capsule and a second exchangeable capsule as the exchangeable capsule, the second exchangeable capsule being different from the first exchangeable capsule. The second brew chamber part may be movable into one of a first brewing position and a second brewing position as its brewing position. The first brew chamber part in its brewing position together with the second brew chamber part in its first brewing position defines a closed state in which the first exchangeable capsule fits in the brew chamber. The first brew chamber part in its brewing position together with the second brew chamber part in its second brewing position defines a closed state in which the second exchangeable capsule fits in the brew chamber. It can be achieved that a preparation process of a first exchangeable capsule during transition of the brewing chamber from its open state to its closed state is similar to the preparation process of a second exchangeable capsule during that transition.

Optionally, the cavity of the first brew chamber part is arranged for receiving the first or second capsule. The cavity of the first brew chamber part can be a predetermined cavity arranged for holding the first or second capsule. The cavity can have an invariable shape for holding the first or second capsule. The first brew chamber part can be arranged for holding the first or second capsule without changing a configuration of the first brew chamber part. The first brew chamber part can be a monolithic part.

According to an aspect, the system includes a locking unit arranged for selectively locking the second brew chamber part in or near the first brewing position. The first brewing position of the second brew chamber part may coincide with its loading position. This is advantageous in that the second brew chamber part does not need to be displaced when a first exchangeable capsule is loaded and subsequently the brew chamber is brought into its second relative position. In that case the basing of the first and second brew chamber parts to each other may be provided by a biasing member coupled to the first brew chamber part.

According to an aspect the first and the second exchangeable capsule to be selectively used by the apparatus may differ from each other in that the first exchangeable capsule has a first body with a first flange, and the second exchangeable capsule has a second body with a second flange, wherein the second flange has a larger diameter than the first flange. In an embodiment of the apparatus using these mutually different first and second capsules the first brew chamber part has a cavity for selectively holding one of the first and second exchangeable capsules. The brew chamber part of this embodiment may have a first substantial annular abutment surface in the cavity, and having a second substantial annular abutment surface. wherein the first abutment surface is arranged for abutting the first flange thereagainst when the cavity holds the first exchangeable capsule, and wherein the second abutment surface is arranged for abutting the second flange thereagainst when the cavity holds the second exchangeable capsule. Therewith the apparatus can properly operate with both capsules despite their different size of flange. In an embodiment of this aspect, the first substantially annular abutment surface is spaced from the second substantially annular abutment surface in an axial direction of the first brew chamber part. Therewith it can be achieved that a bottom of the first exchangeable capsule and a bottom of the second exchangeable capsule have a predetermined position relative to a bottom of the cavity of the first brew chamber part when loaded into the first brew chamber part. Therewith the preparation process of these first and second exchangeable capsules can be harmonized.

According to an aspect an extraction plate of the second brew chamber part may include a central portion and a peripheral portion, wherein the central portion is movable relative to the peripheral portion in an axial direction. Therewith the first brew chamber part can assume the same position in a closed state of the brew chamber, regardless whether it holds a first or a second exchangeable capsule.

In an embodiment the central portion includes a first sealing member and the peripheral portion includes a second sealing member. The first sealing member is arranged for providing a fluid sealing engagement between the central portion and the first brew chamber part when forming the brew chamber for holding the first exchangeable capsule. When forming the brew chamber for holding the second exchangeable capsule the second sealing member provides for a fluid sealing engagement between the peripheral portion and the first brew chamber part.

In an alternative embodiment the first sealing member provides for a fluid sealing engagement between the central portion and a portion of the first capsule facing the second brew chamber part when the brew chamber holds the first exchangeable capsule. Therein the peripheral portion includes a second sealing member arranged for providing a fluid sealing engagement between the peripheral portion and a portion of the second capsule facing the second brew chamber part when the brew chamber holds the second exchangeable capsule.

According to an aspect in order to minimize waste fluid, an embodiment is provided wherein the first brew chamber part includes a first volume not occupied by the first exchangeable capsule when the brew chamber holds the first exchangeable capsule, which first volume is arranged for holding part of the second exchangeable capsule when the brew chamber holds the second capsule. Analogously the first brew chamber part includes a second volume not occupied by the second exchangeable capsule when the brew chamber holds the second capsule, which second volume is arranged for receiving the second brew chamber part when the brew chamber holds the first capsule.

According to an aspect in order to have similar operating conditions regardless whether the apparatus uses a small exchangeable capsule or a large exchangeable capsule, an embodiment is provided wherein the apparatus includes an extraction plate having a plurality of relief elements for selectively engaging one of a first exit area defined by the small exchangeable capsule and second exit area defined by the large exchangeable capsule. When brewing, the fluid dispensing device of the apparatus supplies an amount of fluid, such as water, under pressure to a selected one of the exchangeable capsules, so as to press its exit area onto the relief elements, for opening the exit area. Embodiments may be contemplated wherein the extraction plate and the second exit area are adapted to each other such that a flow resistance of the second exit area when opened is less than a flow resistance of the first exit area when opened.

According to an aspect the first brew chamber part and the first exchangeable capsule are adapted to each other such that a flange-like rim of the first exchangeable capsule engages an inner circumferential wall of the first brew chamber part when loading the first exchangeable capsule into the first brew chamber part. Furthermore, the first brew chamber part and the second exchangeable capsule are adapted to each other such that an outer part of the second exchangeable capsule engages the inner circumferential wall of the first brew chamber part when loading the second exchangeable capsule into the first brew chamber part. This further facilitates operation of the apparatus as part of a system with mutually different first and second exchangeable capsules.

According to an aspect a system is provided for preparing a quantity of beverage suitable for consumption, including the apparatus according to the first aspect and/or according to any of the other aspects as specified above or a combination of such aspects and further including at least one exchangeable capsule.

According to an aspect of the system the at least one exchangeable capsule is a first exchangeable capsule and the system at least comprises a second exchangeable capsule that differs from the first exchangeable capsule, the brew chamber being for selectively holding one of the first and second exchangeable capsules.

It will be appreciated that any of the embodiments, aspects, features and options described in view of the apparatus apply equally to the system, capsules and method. It will also be clear that any one or more of the above embodiments, aspects, features and options can be combined.

