Machine for preparing a drink and method for preparing a drink using such a machine

Abstract

An infusion chamber (2) for housing a dose of product and means for supplying a liquid under pressure to said infusion chamber, said supply means comprising a hydraulic accumulator device (4a, 4b) susceptible of storing under pressure a liquid from liquid injection means (8, 8a, 8b, 9, 25) of said machine (1, 1′), characterised in that said liquid injection means (8, 8a, 8b, 9, 25) and said hydraulic accumulator device (4a, 4b) are configured and disposed interconnected to the infusion chamber (2), so that a first fraction of injected liquid is susceptible of being stored under pressure in a cavity (5) of said accumulator device (4a, 4b), while a second fraction of the injected liquid is simultaneously distributed or supplied to the exterior through the infusion chamber (2) of the machine (1, 1′), allowing said accumulator device (4a, 4b) to store a fraction of liquid configured to ensure the continuous supply of a certain flow (Qc) during a predetermined beverage preparation time or distribution time (te). The process comprises the steps of retracting the distribution cylinder (4a) piston (4b) or an element of said accumulator device to its active position through the injection of a liquid from an independent storage reservoir (9), and simultaneously supplying the liquid injected under pressure.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This patent application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14 / 653,159, which was filed on Jun. 17, 2015. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14 / 653,159 is a national-stage filing of International Patent Application No. PCT / ES2013 / 070882, which was filed on Dec. 17, 2013. International Patent Application No. PCT / ES2013 / 070882 claims priority from EP 12197606.2, filed on Dec. 17, 2012. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14 / 653,159, International Patent Application No. PCT / ES2013 / 070882, and EP 12197606.2 are incorporated herein by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]The present invention relates to a machine for preparing a beverage and a process for preparing a beverage used by said machine.[0003]The machine and process described are suitable for preparing a beverage by infusion of a solid or liquid product from a liquid which is supplied under pressure. In particular, the machine claimed is suitable for preparing a be...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a machine that can continuously supply liquid to an infusion chamber, even when the resistance of the product in the chamber is low. This is achieved by using a hydraulic accumulator device that allows the storage under pressure of a fraction of the liquid injected by the injection means. The speed at which the distribution piston performs its return stroke to the resting position is regulated to guarantee the correct extraction, regardless of the type of product used for infusion. This ensures that the beverage always has the optimal quality, without the need for the user to adjust the discharge (flow rate) of the liquid from the infusion chamber.

Problems solved by technology

However, it has been observed that the machine described in said state of the art has a drawback.

For example, it has been detected that its size is still excessive for portable use.

Furthermore, it has also been observed that the number of components is still too high, which negatively affects its manufacturing cost.

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