[go: up one dir, main page]

WO2016133768A1 - Système et procédés de fabrication de jus - Google Patents

Système et procédés de fabrication de jus Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2016133768A1
WO2016133768A1 PCT/US2016/017456 US2016017456W WO2016133768A1 WO 2016133768 A1 WO2016133768 A1 WO 2016133768A1 US 2016017456 W US2016017456 W US 2016017456W WO 2016133768 A1 WO2016133768 A1 WO 2016133768A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
juicer
juicing
juice
cartridges
chamber
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/US2016/017456
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Douglas Evans
Paul Katz
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Juicero Inc
Original Assignee
Juicero Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Juicero Inc filed Critical Juicero Inc
Publication of WO2016133768A1 publication Critical patent/WO2016133768A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
    • B67D1/08—Details
    • B67D1/0888—Means comprising electronic circuitry (e.g. control panels, switching or controlling means)
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
    • B67D1/0001—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught by squeezing collapsible or flexible storage containers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
    • B67D1/0003—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught the beverage being a single liquid
    • B67D1/0004—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught the beverage being a single liquid the beverage being stored in a container, e.g. bottle, cartridge, bag-in-box, bowl
    • B67D1/0005—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught the beverage being a single liquid the beverage being stored in a container, e.g. bottle, cartridge, bag-in-box, bowl the apparatus comprising means for automatically controlling the amount to be dispensed
    • B67D1/0007—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught the beverage being a single liquid the beverage being stored in a container, e.g. bottle, cartridge, bag-in-box, bowl the apparatus comprising means for automatically controlling the amount to be dispensed based on volumetric dosing
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
    • B67D1/0015—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught the beverage being prepared by mixing at least two liquid components
    • B67D1/0021—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught the beverage being prepared by mixing at least two liquid components the components being mixed at the time of dispensing, i.e. post-mix dispensers
    • B67D1/0022—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught the beverage being prepared by mixing at least two liquid components the components being mixed at the time of dispensing, i.e. post-mix dispensers the apparatus comprising means for automatically controlling the amount to be dispensed
    • B67D1/0034—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught the beverage being prepared by mixing at least two liquid components the components being mixed at the time of dispensing, i.e. post-mix dispensers the apparatus comprising means for automatically controlling the amount to be dispensed for controlling the amount of each component
    • B67D1/0035—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught the beverage being prepared by mixing at least two liquid components the components being mixed at the time of dispensing, i.e. post-mix dispensers the apparatus comprising means for automatically controlling the amount to be dispensed for controlling the amount of each component the controls being based on the same metering technics
    • B67D1/0037—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught the beverage being prepared by mixing at least two liquid components the components being mixed at the time of dispensing, i.e. post-mix dispensers the apparatus comprising means for automatically controlling the amount to be dispensed for controlling the amount of each component the controls being based on the same metering technics based on volumetric dosing
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
    • B67D1/0041—Fully automated cocktail bars, i.e. apparatuses combining the use of packaged beverages, pre-mix and post-mix dispensers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
    • B67D1/08—Details
    • B67D1/0801—Details of beverage containers, e.g. casks, kegs
    • B67D2001/0827—Bags in box

Definitions

  • Disclosed embodiments are related to juicing systems.
  • centrifugal-type juicers food matter is fed through a chute, or other entrance, where a set of mechanical blades rotating at a high speed cut and/or grind the food matter to a pulp. Centripetal force is then applied by rapidly rotating the food matter to separate juice from the pulp through a filter.
  • a second type of home and retail juicer is a masticating juicer which uses an auger to crush the food matter into a pulp. The resulting pulp is further compressed by the auger to extract juice through an associated filter.
  • Another type of juicer is a hydraulic press juicer which typically uses a hydraulic press to compress food matter between one or more surfaces that are in direct contact with the food matter to extract the juice.
  • a juicing system includes a juicing chamber and a juicer cartridge dispenser constructed and arranged to deliver one or more juicer cartridges containing food matter to the juicing chamber.
  • a controller is operatively connected to the juicer cartridge dispenser and configured to permit a user to select a desired combination of one or more juicer cartridges to be delivered by the juicer cartridge dispenser to the juicing chamber in order to make a custom juice blend.
  • a method for dispensing juice includes: selecting one or more juicer cartridges containing food matter for making a custom juice blend; operating a juicer cartridge dispenser to transport the one or more juicer cartridges from a storage area to a juicing chamber; and pressing the one or more juicer cartridges located in the juicing chamber to extract juice from the food matter contained in the one or more juicer cartridges.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of one embodiment of a juicing system
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of one embodiment of a juicing chamber
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of one embodiment of a juicer cartridge
  • Fig. 4 is a schematic representation of one embodiment of a method for dispensing juice.
  • the inventors have recognized drawbacks related to the use of typical juicers such as centrifugal juicers, masticating juicers, and typical press juicers. More specifically, these types of juicers are exposed to food matter and extracted liquids during use. Due to the use of complex mechanisms within these juicers, crushed and/or pulped food matter left after juice extraction may become entrapped in the machinery of these juicers, making cleanup difficult. If not completely cleaned, undetected food matter left behind within a juicer may become a food safety hazard. Furthermore, typical juicers may need to be cleaned between instances of juicing to prevent undesirable contamination of different flavors.
  • typical juicers may need to be cleaned between instances of juicing to prevent undesirable contamination of different flavors.
  • a juicing system capable of providing a variety of juices and/or customizable juice blends without the need to prepare individual ingredients as well as dealing with the complex operation and cleaning associated with a typical juicing system.
  • the inventors have found that providing a juicing system which includes individual juicer cartridges stored and ready to be dispensed in a juicer can be advantageous.
  • Such a juicing system may dispense and press one or more juicer cartridges containing single or multiple ingredients to create a custom juice blend while minimizing and/or eliminating contact between the juicer and the associated food matter and/or extracted juice.
  • a juicing system may include a juicing chamber constructed and arranged to accept one or more juicer cartridges containing food matter such as fruits or vegetables, or other types of edible products.
  • a juicing system may further include a juicer cartridge dispenser constructed and arranged to deliver one or more selected juicer cartridges to the juicing chamber, as well as a press constructed and arranged to apply a compressive force to the one or more juicer cartridges located in the juicing chamber.
  • a juicing system may include any number of different juicer cartridge dispensers constructed and arranged to deliver juicer cartridges into a juicing chamber.
  • a juicer cartridge dispenser may include a gantry, a worm drive a carousel, or any other appropriate dispensing system capable of transporting one or more juicer cartridges to the juicing chamber.
  • the dispensing mechanism may be controlled by a controller as described further below in order to dispense one or more user selected juicer cartridges into the juicing chamber.
  • a juicer cartridge dispenser may further include a storage area to store juicer cartridges while the juicing system is idle, and the dispenser may be configured to dispense cartridges from the storage area to the juicing chamber when a cartridge is selected by a user.
  • a juicing system includes a controller configured to allow a user to control a number of aspects of a beverage dispensed by the juicing system.
  • the controller may be configured to permit a user to select a desired combination of cartridges containing different food matter, liquids, and/or flavorings to be delivered to the juicing chamber to enable the preparation of a custom juice blend.
  • the controller may also be configured to permit a user to select a desired volume of juice to be dispensed.
  • the controller may further be configured to determine an appropriate combination of juicer cartridges containing different ingredients such that the one or more juicer cartridges provide a desired custom juice blend in a desired volume.
  • the controller may be connected to a display, such as an LED, LCD or bistable display, to indicate which selections have been made by a user, or to also indicate the status of the juicer.
  • the controller also may be connected to an interface to allow a user to select a number of appropriate beverage features.
  • the interface may include a touch screen or mechanical buttons.
  • the interface may also include internet connectivity and/or wireless connectivity such as Bluetooth or similar systems to allow a user to control the juicing system remotely via apps on mobile devices, or through a web interface.
  • a juicing system may include any suitable system to allow for selection of any number of appropriate beverage features, or any other appropriate means of controlling the juicer as the disclosure is not so limited.
  • the juicing system may extract juice from the food matter contained in one or more juicer cartridges disposed in the juicing chamber by compressing the one or more juicer cartridges with a press.
  • the press includes one or more displaceable platens.
  • the displaceable platens may be arranged in the juicing chamber and connected to an appropriate drive mechanism, such as an electromechanical, hydraulic, or pneumatic system configured to displace the platens and compress the one or more juicer cartridges.
  • one or more outlets of the juicing chamber are constructed to accept a flow of juice from an outlet of each of the one or more juicer cartridges.
  • the juicer cartridge outlets may extend beyond the outlet of the juicing chamber, though embodiments in which the juicer cartridge outlets are removed from the juicing chamber outlet are also contemplated.
  • the juice extracted from the one or more juicer cartridges does not contact the juicing chamber, thus avoiding contamination of the juicer during use.
  • embodiments in which juice contacts a portion of the juicer prior to, or during, dispensing are also contemplated as the disclosure is not so limited.
  • the volume of juice produced by a juicing system is between about 1 ounce and 20 ounces (0.03 liters and 0.6 liters), 1 ounce and 16 ounces (.03 liters and 0.5 liters), 6 ounces to 12 ounces (0.2 liters and 0.35 liters), 20 ounces to 80 ounces (0.6 liters and 2.4 liters), 80 ounces to 140 ounces (2.4 liters and 4.0 liters), or any other appropriate volume as the disclosure is not so limited.
  • the volume selected by a user may correspond to either one or a combination of the volume ranges noted above as the disclosure is not so limited. Additionally, while in some embodiments a user may select a juice volume to be dispensed, in other embodiments, a juicer system may deliver a preset juice volume, or may simply juice a preset number of cartridges at a time. Therefore, it should be understood that a juicer system may be operated in any number of ways to deliver an appropriate juice volume.
  • juicer cartridges used with the juicer system may be any number of different sizes.
  • a juicer cartridge may include between about 1 ounce and 20 ounces (0.03 kg to 0.6 kg), 20 ounces to 80 ounces (0.6 kg to 2.3 kg), 80 ounces to 160 ounces (2.3 kg to 4.5 kg), or any other appropriate mass of food matter.
  • the food matter contained therein may produce a ratio of juice volume in liters (L) to food matter mass in kilograms (kg) that is between about 0.4 I/kg to 0.85 L/kg, 0.5 L/kg to 0.75 L/kg, or any other appropriate ratio.
  • this juice yield may be in response to a final compression force applied to the juicer cartridge and food matter contained therein that is between about 6700 N to 35,600 N (1500 pounds to 8000 pounds) for a consumer appliance, about 7750 N to 44,500 N (1750 pounds to 10,000 pounds) for an office or corporate appliance, and about 8900 N to 53,400 N (2000 pounds to 12,000 pounds) for a restaurant or food service appliance.
  • juicer cartridges and juicer systems described herein generically refer to the use of food matter from which juice may be extracted.
  • food matter used in both the juicer cartridges and juicer systems may correspond to any appropriate food matter.
  • food matter may include such nonlimiting items as: fruit; vegetables; meat; fish; plant matter; flavorings; dietary supplements such as vitamins, protein powders, ginseng; and/or any other ingestible product that might be desirably included in a beverage.
  • Fig. 1 depicts one exemplary embodiment of a juicing system 100 configured to receive one or more juicer cartridges 200 containing food matter 208.
  • the juicing system includes a housing 102 that supports the various components of the juicing system, including a juicer cartridge dispenser 104 that is constructed for dispensing one or more juicer cartridges into an associated juicing chamber 112.
  • the juicing system also includes one or more outlets 116 that are arranged to accept one or more outlets 202 of the juicer cartridges located within the juicing chamber in order to facilitate dispensing extracted juice into an appropriate beverage container 122.
  • the beverage container may be disposed within a dispensing area 118 which corresponds to any appropriate configuration including a flat tray located beneath the juicing chamber outlet.
  • a juicer cartridge dispenser 104 may include a storage area 106 for storing juicer cartridges when the juicer is not in use.
  • the dispenser is constructed to deliver one or more juicer cartridges 200 from the storage area 106 to the juicing chamber 112.
  • the juice cartridge dispenser 104 is a carousel which includes a plurality of slots or compartments sized to hold one or more juicer cartridges. The carousel is rotatable relative to the housing 102 to allow transport of a selected juicer cartridge to a suitable location where it may be deposited into the juicing chamber 112, as described in more detail below.
  • the rotation of the carousel may be driven by a suitable mechanism within a juicing system 100 such as an electric motor Alternatively, in some embodiments the carousel may manually rotatable by a user. In addition to functioning as the dispenser, the carousel also functions as the storage area 106, though embodiments in which the dispenser and storage area are separate are also contemplated.
  • the carousel delivers a selected juicer cartridge 200 to the juicing chamber 112 by rotating relative to the housing until the selected cartridge is positioned above the juicing chamber 112. Once positioned, the dispenser 104 deposits the selected cartridge into the juicing chamber 112.
  • the dispenser may include a conveyor belt coupled to one or more rollers, and juicer cartridges may be arranged on, or delivered to the conveyor from an associated storage area. Rotation of the one or more rollers using a suitable drive, such as an electric motor, may cause translation of the conveyor to allow transport of a juicer cartridge to a juicing chamber.
  • the dispenser may include a coil or worm gear with gaps sized to hold one or more juicer cartridges.
  • the coil or worm gear may be arranged in a channel such that rotation of the coil or worm gear results in displacement of a juicer cartridge along the channel towards a juicing chamber.
  • the dispenser may include: a robotic arm constructed to move juicer cartridges from a storage area to the juicing chamber; a rotating turret including multiple storage areas for different juicer cartridges that are selectively moved into position to dispense juicer cartridges into the juicing chamber; a reel feed system where a reel of connected juicer cartridges is unwound during use such that the juicer cartridges are fed into the juicing chamber and either individually disposed of or wound onto a second reel for disposal; or any other suitable system capable of dispensing juicer cartridges into an associated juicing chamber.
  • the above described mechanisms may be arranged in any suitable configuration, including linear, arced, or curved paths. In view of the above, it should be understood that a juicer cartridge dispenser should not be limited to only those mechanisms and arrangements described herein.
  • a dispenser may deposit a juicer cartridge in a juicing chamber using any number of different methods and mechanisms.
  • the juicing chamber 112 is located under the juicer cartridge dispenser 104.
  • a cartridge 200 may be deposited in the juicing chamber 112 by allowing the cartridge to drop through a cutout in the dispenser into the juicing chamber.
  • a dispenser may include a mechanism such as one or more selectively openable doors, flaps, a latch, or other appropriate release mechanism that selectively allows a cartridge 200 to be deposited into the juicing chamber 112.
  • the juicing chamber 112 has been depicted below the juicer cartridge dispenser 104 in the figures, and the mechanisms described above use gravity to feed cartridges into the juicing chamber, it should be understood that the disclosure is not so limited. Instead, the dispenser 104 may be positioned below, above, and/or to the sides of the juicing chamber 112 and may include a piston, pushing platen, hooks, rollers, or any other appropriate mechanism capable of displacing a selected cartridge 200 in an appropriate direction to deposit the cartridge into the chamber.
  • a juicing system 100 may also include a controller 108 as shown in the figures.
  • the controller may correspond to any appropriate system including one or more processors, a computer, or other similar computing device. Additionally, these processing devices may be integrated with, externally connected, or remotely connected with the juicing system as the disclosure is not so limited. In either case, the controller is constructed to control various components and operation of the juicing system.
  • the controller 108 may be connected to a plurality of buttons, a touch screen, or other appropriate interface to enable a user to select one or more juicer cartridges 200 corresponding to one or more flavors or volumes for dispensing into the juicing chamber.
  • the controller may then operate the juice cartridge dispenser 104 to deliver the selected one or more juicer cartridges to the juicing chamber 112.
  • the controller 108 may also include a volume control 120 configured to allow the juicing system to dispense a selectable volume of juice, as described above.
  • the controller may further include a display 110 arranged to provide information to a user such as the status of the system. The display 110 may also aid in selecting appropriate parameters for juicing including the flavors of juicer cartridges or the desired juice volume.
  • the juicing chamber 112 is shaped and sized to receive one or more juicer cartridges 200.
  • the embodiment depicted in Fig. 2 shows a juicing chamber in which three juicer cartridges 200 are disposed.
  • the juicing chamber 112 further includes a press corresponding to one or more displaceable platens 114 for applying pressure to the one or more juicer cartridges 200.
  • a pair of opposing platens 114 may be displaced towards each other in directions Tl and T2 in order to apply a pressure to compress the one or more juicer cartridges located in the juicing chamber.
  • each of the platens 114 may be operatively connected to an arm 122 associated with a drive system such as an electric actuator, pneumatic actuator, hydraulic actuator, or other appropriate actuator capable of imparting force to the opposing platens 114 to apply the desired juicing pressure.
  • a drive system such as an electric actuator, pneumatic actuator, hydraulic actuator, or other appropriate actuator capable of imparting force to the opposing platens 114 to apply the desired juicing pressure.
  • a servo motor or stepper motor might be used in certain
  • juicer cartridges and platens are depicted in an orientation in which the cartridges are compressed horizontally
  • other orientations of the juicer cartridges and pressing elements are contemplated as the disclosure is not so limited.
  • one or more juicer cartridges could be arranged in a vertical stack within the juicing chamber and the associated press may compress the juicer cartridges in a vertical direction rather than a horizontal direction.
  • Such an embodiment may be advantageous as it may allow for the use of a simpler configuration of pressing elements.
  • one element of a pressing device may comprise a stationary lower wall of a juicing chamber, and a second pressing element may be displaceable in a vertical direction towards the stationary lower wall.
  • a vertical pressing direction may also take advantage of gravity to allow for easier dispensing of juicer cartridges into a juicing chamber and to also aid in alignment of the juicer cartridges in the juicing chamber which may in turn allow for more efficient juice extraction. It should also be understood that while two platens have been depicted for applying the desired juicing pressure, a single platen, a bladder, or any other appropriate press, or presses, capable of applying pressure to one or more juicer cartridges either individually, or together, within a juicing chamber may also be used.
  • the juicing chamber 112 may include a lower chamber wall 124 that is constructed and arranged to at least partially support the one or more juicer cartridges 200 during juicing.
  • the wall 124 defines the bottom of the juicing chamber, and may include one or more openings corresponding to the one or more outlets 116.
  • the outlets of the juicing chamber are sized and arranged to receive the juicer cartridge outlets 202.
  • the juicer cartridge outlets 202 may extend past the lower chamber wall 124 such that juice extracted from the juicer cartridges is dispensed without contacting the juicing chamber or other portions of the juicing system.
  • a portion of the juicing chamber may be openable to allow used juicer cartridges to be removed after juicing.
  • the wall member 124 may include a hinge or other appropriate mechanism to allow the juicing chamber to be opened.
  • the juicing system 100 may further include an internal bin into which used cartridges may be deposited after juicing, or any other appropriate mechanism to remove a used juicer cartridge from the juicing chamber as the disclosure is not so limited.
  • Fig. 3 depicts one embodiment of a juicer cartridge 200 capable of being used with the juicing systems described herein.
  • the juicer cartridge 200 includes an outer liquid impermeable layer 204, one or more inner liquid permeable layers 210, an inner cavity 206, and an outlet 202 which provides fluid communication between the inner cavity 206 and an exterior of the juicer cartridge.
  • the outer liquid impermeable layer 204 may be made from any suitable material capable of providing desired design criteria such as sufficient structural integrity, protection from the outside environment, breathability, and tamper resistance. Further, the outer layer 204 may be sufficiently flexible so that it may be compressed during juicing without rupturing.
  • the outer layer is depicted as transparent to enable visualization of the inner liquid permeable layers 210.
  • the one or more liquid permeable layers 210 are located within the outer liquid impermeable layer and at least partially, or fully, surround food matter 208 located within the inner cavity 206.
  • the one or more liquid permeable layers may form one or more internal pouches that contain different types of food matter within the juicer cartridge.
  • the pouches may be sized to appropriately accommodate the type and amount of food matter placed therein. Therefore, it should be understood that the compartments may have any appropriate size.
  • the pouches may have dimensions ranging from about 0.25 inches to 2 inches (6mm to 50 mm) depending on the contents of each compartment.
  • the inner liquid permeable layer has been depicted as a pouch surrounding food, in other embodiments, the inner liquid permeable layer may simply be disposed between the food matter 208 and the outlet 202. Consequently, in such an embodiment, the juice extracted from the food matter will still be filtered prior to being dispensed from the outlet.
  • the outer liquid impermeable layer may be made from any appropriate material.
  • the outer liquid impermeable layer may be made from an appropriate polymer (e.g. blended polyester-polyethylene, polypropylene, and others), metal foil, or any other appropriate material.
  • Appropriate materials for the inner liquid permeable layers 210 for use with a juicer cartridge include, but are not limited to, a filtration membrane, a nonwoven filtration material, woven mesh, fabric filters, plates with appropriately sized holes or openings, combinations of the above, and other appropriate types of filters. Additionally, these liquid permeable layers may be made from any appropriate material including, for example, metals such as aluminum, polylactic acid, polypropylene fibers, and blended polyester-polyethylene to name a few. In one exemplary embodiment, a liquid permeable layer 210 may be made from a food-grade porous membrane comprising a plurality of pores of a desired size.
  • the one or more liquid permeable layers include aluminum or plastic meshes, cheesecloth, and paper filters.
  • the one or more liquid permeable layers may correspond to any porous material including pores of a suitable size capable of filtering the juice extracted from a juicer cartridge.
  • the one or more liquid permeable layers 210 may have an appropriate filtration size selected according to the food matter contained in the juicer cartridge such that liquid can pass through the liquid permeable layers 210 while trapping pulp, seeds, pith, peel, and any other undesirable matter.
  • ginger may typically generate large, fibrous pulp matter that can be trapped by larger pores while still permitting the juice extracted from the ginger to pass through the membrane.
  • strawberries may be pressed into a pulp matter having small fibers and seeds, which requires a mesh filter with smaller pores to trap the seeds.
  • a filtration size may be selected to remove substantially all of the solid material such as pulp from a juice
  • a filtration size of the liquid permeable layers may be selected to permit a certain portion of the solid materials to pass through.
  • a juicer cartridge 200 may include multiple liquid impermeable layers with different filtration sizes associated with the different types of food matter.
  • a juicer cartridge 200 may further include one or more additional compartments 212 contained within the outer liquid impermeable layer 204.
  • these one or more compartments may also be at least partially surrounded by the one or more liquid impermeable layers 204.
  • Such compartments may contain additional ingredients such as flavorings, additives, dietary supplements such as protein supplements, vitamins, extracts, minerals, dried fruits, dried vegetables, nuts, herbs, freeze dried oils, spices, alcohol, and any other desired consumable substance.
  • the compartments 212 may be constructed and arranged to be burs table such that they may release their contents and mix with the extracted juice when the liquid impermeable layer 204 is compressed during juicing.
  • FIG. 4 depicts a schematic representation of a method 300 for using a juicing system 100 to extract juice from one or more juicer cartridges.
  • a first step 302 includes a user interacting with a controller to select one or more desired beverage characteristics including selecting one or more flavors corresponding to individual juicer cartridges and/or the desired beverage volume.
  • the controller subsequently operates a juicer cartridge dispenser to deposit the selected one or more juicer cartridges into a juicing chamber.
  • a pressing step 306 may follow in which the juicing system applies an appropriate pressure to the one or more juicer cartridges to extract juice from the food matter contained therein.
  • the pressure may also cause any burstable compartments contained in the one or more juicer cartridges to open and release their contents to mix with the extracted juice.
  • a juice dispensing step 308 the juice then flows through one or more liquid permeable layers positioned between the food matter and outlets of the one or more juicer cartridges before finally being dispensed into an associated container located in a dispensing area. The final result is that a desired volume of a desired custom juice blend is dispensed into the beverage container.
  • used cartridge(s) may be removed from the juicing chamber per step 310.
  • the juicing chamber is selectively openable to allow a user to manually remove the used cartridge(s).
  • a juicing system includes an internal storage bin and an ejection mechanism to deliver used cartridges from the juicing chamber into the storage bin.
  • a juicing system may instead juice the selected juicer cartridges sequentially. For example, after a user has selected the desired beverage characteristics, a juicing system may dispense a first cartridge into the pressing chamber, press the cartridge to extract juice, and the first cartridge may be removed from the pressing chamber. This may then be repeated with the other selected juicer cartridges until all of the selected cartridges are pressed and the desired volume and/or blend of a desired custom juice is dispensed into the beverage container.
  • a juicing system may fully compress a juicer cartridge to extract as much juice as possible from the food matter contained within the juicer cartridge.
  • a juicing system may only partially compress a juicer cartridge. For example, commonly used ingredients or flavors may be provided in larger juicer cartridges which may be used in the preparation of multiple beverages.
  • a juicing system may dispense the larger juicer cartridge into the pressing chamber and partially compress the larger cartridge to extract a portion of the juice from the food matter contained in the larger cartridge, and the partially used larger cartridge may subsequently be returned to a storage area for additional future use.
  • a juicing system may be configured to extract any portion of the juice contained within a juicer cartridge, and, if desired, return the juicer cartridge to a storage area for subsequent use.
  • juicer cartridge dispenser that is capable of reading information associated with a juicer cartridge.
  • This information may be used to identify various information about the juicer cartridge including, contents, expiration date, allergy warnings, and/or other appropriate information.
  • Such a system may help to ensure that the appropriate juicer cartridges are delivered to the juicing chamber, when stock of a certain juicer cartridge is low by communicating with a remotely located server and/or to ensure that the delivered juicer cartridges have not expired.
  • a juicer cartridge dispenser including smart functionality has been described above, it should be noted that embodiments of juicer cartridge dispensers that do not include such functionality and/or are operated manually by a user are also contemplated.
  • the food matter contained in the juicer cartridges is perishable.
  • different components of a juicing system may be cooled or refrigerated in order to aid in preserving the food matter.
  • the extracted juice may be chilled.
  • a juicer cartridge dispenser and/or storage area may be chilled in order to keep juicer cartridges at a desired temperature while the juicer is idle, and to provide chilled juicer cartridges into the juicing chamber for the extraction of chilled juice.
  • other elements of the juicer may be chilled.
  • the press may be chilled, including for example chilled pressing platens which can help to chill the food matter while it is compressed for juice extraction.
  • chilled platens may further aid in reducing any heat which is generated during the juicing process due to friction.
  • the juicing chamber may also be refrigerated. While a refrigerated system is described above, it should be understood that juicer systems that do not include refrigeration, or include other means of cooling, are also contemplated as the disclosure is not so limited.
  • various refrigeration techniques may be used to provide chilled components in the embodiments noted above.
  • passive cooling techniques may involve the installation of pre-chilled materials such as ice packs into a juicing system.
  • active cooling systems may be used to provide refrigeration including, but not limited to conventional refrigeration cycles, evaporative cooling, thermoelectric devices, magnetic refrigeration devices, or any other suitable device capable of removing heat from a system.

Landscapes

  • Apparatus For Making Beverages (AREA)

Abstract

Modes de réalisation concernant des appareils de fabrication de jus et des procédés pour extraire le jus d'un aliment à l'aide de cartouches de centrifugeuse. Selon un mode de réalisation, un système de fabrication de jus peut comprendre une chambre de fabrication de jus façonnée et conçue pour recevoir une ou plusieurs cartouches de centrifugeuse contenant les aliments. Le système de fabrication de jus peut en outre comprendre un dispositif de commande fonctionnellement relié à un dispositif de cartouche de centrifugeuse. Le dispositif de commande peut permettre à un utilisateur de sélectionner une ou plusieurs cartouches de centrifugeuse à apporter à la chambre de fabrication de jus par le distributeur de cartouche de centrifugeuse, où les ou les cartouches de centrifugeuse sont pressées pour extraire le jus de l'aliment et créer un mélange de jus personnalisé.
PCT/US2016/017456 2015-02-18 2016-02-11 Système et procédés de fabrication de jus Ceased WO2016133768A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US201562117698P 2015-02-18 2015-02-18
US62/117,698 2015-02-18

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2016133768A1 true WO2016133768A1 (fr) 2016-08-25

Family

ID=56692382

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2016/017456 Ceased WO2016133768A1 (fr) 2015-02-18 2016-02-11 Système et procédés de fabrication de jus

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2016133768A1 (fr)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9731254B2 (en) 2016-01-12 2017-08-15 SudSense, LLC Producing solutions from concentrates
WO2018200186A1 (fr) * 2017-04-28 2018-11-01 Contessa Christopher Machine à smoothie automatique utilisant des sachets de smoothie

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20050188854A1 (en) * 2002-02-07 2005-09-01 The Coca-Cola Co. Coffee and tea dispenser
US20110036244A1 (en) * 2008-04-28 2011-02-17 Ashim Chatterjee Assembly for automatic fresh brewing of hot beverage and dispensing thereof
US20120103197A1 (en) * 2010-10-29 2012-05-03 Whirlpool Corporation Beverage dispenser with multi-chambered carousel and automatic coordination of flavorant flow rate
WO2014060724A1 (fr) * 2012-10-15 2014-04-24 Zendegii Ltd Distributeur de boissons
WO2014182423A2 (fr) * 2013-05-10 2014-11-13 Juicero, Inc. Systemes et procedes de fabrication de jus

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20050188854A1 (en) * 2002-02-07 2005-09-01 The Coca-Cola Co. Coffee and tea dispenser
US20110036244A1 (en) * 2008-04-28 2011-02-17 Ashim Chatterjee Assembly for automatic fresh brewing of hot beverage and dispensing thereof
US20120103197A1 (en) * 2010-10-29 2012-05-03 Whirlpool Corporation Beverage dispenser with multi-chambered carousel and automatic coordination of flavorant flow rate
WO2014060724A1 (fr) * 2012-10-15 2014-04-24 Zendegii Ltd Distributeur de boissons
WO2014182423A2 (fr) * 2013-05-10 2014-11-13 Juicero, Inc. Systemes et procedes de fabrication de jus

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9731254B2 (en) 2016-01-12 2017-08-15 SudSense, LLC Producing solutions from concentrates
USD840186S1 (en) 2016-01-12 2019-02-12 SudSense, LLC Mixing bottle
WO2018200186A1 (fr) * 2017-04-28 2018-11-01 Contessa Christopher Machine à smoothie automatique utilisant des sachets de smoothie
US10925431B2 (en) 2017-04-28 2021-02-23 Christopher Contessa Automated smoothie machine using smoothie packets

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US10099443B1 (en) Press
US20180297309A1 (en) Press
US20180297310A1 (en) Press
WO2016178734A1 (fr) Système d'extraction de jus avec liquide supplémentaire pour former une boisson de jus
US20210100396A1 (en) Methods and Apparatus for Automated Food Preparation
US20080314918A1 (en) Vending apparatus for dispensing made-to-order salads
US20140314918A1 (en) Juice Containing Pouch and Press for Extracting Juice from the Pouch
JP2020518517A (ja) 自動化した食品調理の方法および装置
WO2014115073A1 (fr) Préparation automatique d'une boisson telle que du thé aux perles
US20170313012A1 (en) Press
WO2019090352A1 (fr) Procédés et appareil pour la préparation automatisée d'aliments
US20170252995A1 (en) Juicer cartridge with outlet separator
US20170252999A1 (en) Juicer with juicer cartridge orientation feature
WO2016133768A1 (fr) Système et procédés de fabrication de jus
WO2015020912A1 (fr) Poche contenant un jus et pressoir permettant d'extraire le jus de la poche
CN207752568U (zh) 一种鲜榨混合果蔬汁自动贩卖机
CN108366611A (zh) 用于从水果和/或蔬菜物品中提取汁液的设备
CA2971809A1 (fr) Distributeur automatique de boissons
JPH09506265A (ja) 自納式柑橘類ジュース自動絞り販売機
WO2016133772A1 (fr) Système d'extraction de jus actionné à la main et procédés associés
WO2016133769A1 (fr) Cartouches pour centrifugeuse

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application

Ref document number: 16752825

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: DE

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase

Ref document number: 16752825

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1