Mixing and foaming device
AssigneeNestec S.A.
InventorGregory Savioz
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention refers to a mixing and foaming device (300) for mixing a powder food or beverage product with a fluid and further foaming said mixture, the device (300) comprising a mixing, pumping and foaming unit (102), an air entry (30) and a fluid inlet (21); the mixing, pumping and foaming unit (102) comprising a pumping element (110) whose rotation allows both powder and fluid to enter a foaming chamber (121) of the mixing, pumping and foaming unit (102), where a foaming element (120) rotates relatively within the foaming chamber (121), subjecting the mixture of fluid, powder and optionally air to a certain level of shear stress which allows this mixture to mix and/or to foam. The invention further refers to a method for providing foam from a food or beverage product powder using such a device (300).
Claims18
Mixing and foaming device for mixing a powder food or beverage product with a fluid and further foaming the mixture, the device comprising:
- a mixing, pumping and foaming unit, an air entry and a fluid inlet;
- and
- the mixing, pumping and foaming unit comprising a pumping element whose rotation allows both powder and fluid to enter a foaming chamber of the mixing, pumping and foaming unit, where a foaming element rotates relatively within the foaming chamber, subjecting the mixture of fluid and powder to a certain level of shear stress which allows this mixture to mix and/or to foam.
Method for providing foam from a food or beverage product powder using a device, comprising the steps of:
- a) pumping fluid and powder from a container into a foaming chamber by rotating a pumping element;
- b) mixing fluid and powder in the foaming chamber by relatively rotating the foaming element within the foaming chamber and sending this mixture to the container;
- c) repeating steps a) and b) one or a plurality of times;
- d) opening the air entry to a certain level;
- e) pumping from the container into the foaming chamber the mixture of fluid and powder, together with air from the air entry by rotating the pumping element;
- and
- f) subjecting the mixture of fluid and powder, together with air, to shear stress in the foaming chamber so that it foams.
Method for providing foam from a food or beverage product powder using a device for mixing a powder food or beverage product with a fluid and further foaming the mixture, the device comprising:
- a mixing, pumping and foaming unit, an air entry and a fluid inlet;
- and the mixing, pumping and foaming unit comprising a pumping element whose rotation allows both powder and fluid to enter a foaming chamber of the mixing, pumping and foaming unit, where a foaming element rotates relatively within the foaming chamber, subjecting the mixture of fluid and powder to a certain level of shear stress which allows this mixture to mix and/or to foam, comprising the steps of:
- a) pumping fluid into a reservoir by rotating the pumping element, so that the powder is diluted with the fluid;
- b) mixing fluid and powder in the foaming chamber by relatively rotating the foaming element within the foaming chamber and sending this mixture to a fluid container;
- c) repeating steps a) and b) one or a plurality of times;
- d) opening the air entry to a certain level;
- e) pumping from the fluid container into the reservoir and then sending to the foaming chamber the mixture of fluid and powder, together with air from the air entry by rotating the pumping element;
- and
- f) subjecting the mixture of fluid and powder, together with air, to shear stress in the foaming chamber so that it foams.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.