Method and system for preparing a liquid extract from a cell using centrifugal forces

Abstract

An apparatus for preparing a liquid comestible from a cell by passing liquid through the substance using centrifugal forces, wherein gas contained in the cell is controllably purged from the cell as liquid fills the cell. The apparatus includes a liquid injection member comprising a needle for injecting liquid into the cell, a motor and shaft for centrifugally and rotationally driving the cell at at least one centrifugal speed, a peripheral discharge valve for enabling liquid extract to leave the cell after the centrifugal speed is achieved, and a gas purging conduit configured and positioned to remove gas from the cell as liquid fills the cell.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A beverage production system for preparing a liquid extract from a food substance contained in a cell by passing a liquid through the food substance by centrifugation of the cell comprising:
 liquid injection means for injecting liquid in the cell, rotational driving means for driving the cell in rotation at least one centrifugal speed, peripheral discharge means for enabling liquid extract to leave the cell at the centrifugal speed, and   gas purging means configured to remove gas from the cell as liquid fills the cell.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the gas purging means comprises at least one gas dedicated purging conduit. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , which further comprises a valve for controlling the opening and closing of the gas purging conduit. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  which further comprises speed control means for increasing the rotational speed of the driving means to vary the beverage preparation cycle from a prewetting phase to an extraction phase. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  which further comprises means for detecting the filling level of liquid in the cell. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the gas purging means comprises fluid selective sealing means. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein the fluid selective sealing means comprises a free interstice between the liquid injecting means and a bore of a rotary engaging base engaging on the cell. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the interstice is obtained by an helicoidal threading. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the cell further comprises a filter for preventing solids from being carried by gas during purge. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the filter is placed in a central portion of an internal lid that is present in the cell. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the cell comprises a capsule having a cup-shaped body. 
     
     
         12 . A beverage production system for preparing a liquid extract from a food substance contained in a cell by passing a liquid through the food substance by centrifugation of the cell comprising:
 a liquid injection member comprising a needle for injecting liquid into the cell,   a motor and shaft for centrifugally and rotationally driving the cell at at least one centrifugal speed,   a peripheral discharge valve for enabling liquid extract to leave the cell after the centrifugal speed is achieved, and   a gas purging conduit configured and positioned to remove gas from the cell as liquid fills the cell.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12  which further comprises a valve for controlling the opening and closing of the gas purging conduit. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 12  which further comprises a central controller and counter for determining and increasing the rotational speed of the motor to vary the beverage preparation cycle from a prewetting phase to an extraction phase. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the gas purging outlet includes a rubber sealing member. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 12  which further comprises a sensor for detecting the filling level of liquid in the cell wherein the sensor is operatively associated with the motor for controlling its rotational speed. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the cell further comprises a filter for preventing solids from being carried by gas during purge. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein the filter is placed in a central portion of an internal lid that is present in the cell.