US 2024/0180353 A1Published application

Systems and processes including enhanced operation of cartridges of single portions

AssigneeNovadelta - ComéRcio E IndúStria De CaféS, Lda

InventorsRui Miguel NABEIRO, João André DE FIGUEIREDO BRANCO, Tiago Rafael DA SILVA FERROLHO MENDES, Claudia FIGUEIRA BARROS DOS REIS

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Abstract

The present invention refers to systems of distribution and preparation of edible products, that include cartridges (1, 1′) adapted for collection of single portions (2) of edible substances devoid of single packages, and apparatus (10) for preparation of edible products, such as aromatic beverages, for example espresso type coffee, adapted for operating single portions (2) in product preparation devices (12), for example extraction devices, whereby these systems present retention means (7) and, optionally, a respective connection disposition (8), adapted so that provide a simpler and more reliable regulation of delivery of single portions (2) one-by-one to said product preparation device (12), as well as present a simpler construction and provider enhanced ergonomics. The present invention further refers to processes of operation of systems of the type of the present invention.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A system for distributing and preparing edible products, for example a beverage, and comprising:

at least one type of cartridge comprising a package that confines with gas barrier a plurality of single portions of aromatic edible substance, for example roast and ground coffee beans, devoid of respective single packages,
at least one type of product preparation apparatus comprising a discharge disposition and a product preparation device, for example an extraction device, adapted so that can collect and operate a single portion,
whereby the discharge disposition presents a discharge passageway adapted for passage of single portions, preferentially in at least approximately a previously determined relative position of its central symmetry axis, and
whereby a plurality of single portions can be disposed along a previously defined alignment including a furthest downstream single portion in a discharge position upstream of the discharge passageway,
whereby the system is adapted so that can regulate the delivery of single portions one-by-one to the product preparation device, preferentially by control means of the apparatus,
wherein the system is adapted to operate the delivery of single portions by retention by means of actionable contact with part of the surface of edible substance of the furthest downstream single portion, whereby the contact retention is operable in articulation with the operation of the product preparation device.

3 more elements

A process for operation of a system of distribution and preparation of edible products, comprising

at least one cycle of preparation of edible product, for example a beverage, whereby single portions devoid of individual packages are operated in an apparatus of preparation of edible product, and that comprises the steps:
manipulating a plurality of single portions in an operative position where they are impinged by a force along a previously defined alignment relative to a discharge disposition and operatively retained upstream of a discharge passageway thereof;
optionally, confirming that the product preparation device is in an open position;
operating retention means so as to move a retention part in contact with edible substance of the furthest downstream single portion in the alignment, from a position of retention to a position of non-retention, and thereby enabling the delivery of said single portion to the product preparation device;
operating the closure of the product preparation device.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.