Device and method for preparing a beverage, in particular for preparing a protein-containing mixed beverage

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for preparing a beverage having the following: a mixing device; a first container for storing a pourable substrate; a first supply device which is provided for supplying the pourable substrate out of one of the first containers to the mixing device; a second container for storing an at least substantially liquid substrate; a second supply device which is provided for supplying the at least substantially liquid substrate from one of the second containers to the mixing device; a third supply device which is provided for supplying a carrier liquid to the mixing device; and a dispensing device which is provided for dispensing the beverage into a container. The invention further relates to a method for preparing a beverage, to a device for storing and supplying a pourable substrate, and to a method for assembling the device for storing and supplying a pourable substrate.

1 . An apparatus for preparing a beverage, in particular for preparing a protein-containing mixed beverage, comprising:
 a mixing device;   at least one first container for storing a pourable substrate;   at least one first supply device which is provided to supply the mixing device with the pourable substrate from one of the first containers;   at least one second container for storing an at least substantially liquid substrate;   at least one second supply device which is provided to supply the mixing device with the at least substantially liquid substrate from one of the second containers;   a third supply device which is provided to supply the mixing device with a carrier liquid;   a dispensing device which is provided to dispense the beverage to a container able to be removed from/out of the apparatus,   wherein the mixing device is provided to mix the pourable substrate and the at least substantially liquid substrate with the carrier liquid into an in particular at least substantially homogeneous beverage and dispense it to the dispensing device.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the mixing device comprises:
 a collecting section which is provided to bring together the pourable substrate, the at least substantially liquid substrate and the carrier liquid;   a mixing section which is provided to mix the pourable substrate, the at least substantially liquid substrate and the carrier liquid into the in particular at least substantially homogeneous beverage; and   a dispensing section which is provided to dispense the in particular at least substantially homogeneous beverage to the dispensing device,   wherein preferentially at least two sections of the group consisting of collecting section, mixing section and dispensing section form one unit.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the mixing device and the dispensing device are separated from each other by an in particular electrically controllable valve which has at least one open position and one closed position. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one of the at least one first supply devices comprises a component, in particular formed as a component selected from a group comprising a screw conveyor, powder chute, conveyor belt, hose pump and/or pneumatic conveyor device, in particular a suction conveyor device, vacuum conveyor device and/or blower device. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the carrier liquid has a water content of between 50% and 100% by weight and/or a milk content of between 0% and 100% by weight. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the third supply device is connected to a drinking water supply and/or reservoir. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the mixing device comprises one or more, in particular electrically driven mixers selected from among a group comprising: a propeller, a mixer wheel and/or a bladed mixing cone. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the mixing device is configured to produce a carrier liquid vortex to which the pourable substrate and/or the at least substantially liquid substrate is fed. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or more second containers and 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or more second supply devices, and wherein at least two second supply devices are connected together by a joint dosing unit. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one pourable substrate is an at least substantially protein-containing substrate and the at least one at least substantially liquid substrate is an at least substantially protein-free substrate. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the pourable substrate has a protein content of at least 20% by weight, preferentially at least 60% by weight, further preferentially at least 70% by weight, and most preferentially a protein content in the range of from 70% to 100% by weight. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one pourable substrate provides an at least substantially consistent flavor base and the at least one substantially liquid substrate provides a variation of the taste, particularly in the form of a flavor. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one second supply device is provided to feed the at least substantially liquid substrate to the mixing device via at least one component of the third supply device, in particular in the form of a tube or a hose section. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a sensor device which is configured to detect a position and/or a change in position of at least one element of the first supply device, in particular at least one chute. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the first supply device has an opening on a side of a housing, in particular one able to be closed by a cover, which is configured such that, in particular when removed, the supply device is at least substantially completely purged of pourable substrate located within said supply device. 
     
     
         16 . A method for preparing a beverage, in particular a protein-containing mixed beverage, and in particular for implementation in an apparatus according to  claim 1 , comprising the following steps.
 (a) providing a carrier liquid, a pourable substrate and an at least substantially liquid substrate;   (b) feeding the carrier liquid, the pourable substrate and the at least substantially liquid substrate to a mixing device;   (c) mixing the carrier liquid, the pourable substrate and the at least substantially liquid substrate into an in particular at least substantially homogeneous beverage by means of the mixing device; and   (d) dispensing the in particular at least substantially homogeneous beverage, wherein in particular at least steps (b) and (c) can be performed sequentially or in parallel or in alternating sub-steps or in any combination.   
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the method comprises the following sub-steps in chronological order.
 Time point t 1 : beginning the carrier liquid feed;   Time point t 2 : beginning the carrier liquid vortex generating;   Time point t 3 : beginning the pourable substrate feed and/or the feed of the at least substantially liquid substrate to the carrier liquid vortex;   Time point t 4 : beginning the pourable substrate feed if the at least substantially liquid substrate feed began at time point t 3 ; or
 beginning the at least substantially liquid substrate feed if the pourable substrate feed began at time point t 3 ; 
   Time point t 5 : terminating the pourable substrate and/or the at least substantially liquid substrate feed;   Time point t 6 : terminating the pourable substrate feed if the at least substantially liquid substrate feed was terminated at time point t 5 ; or
 terminating the at least substantially liquid substrate feed if the pourable substrate feed was terminated at time point t 5 ; 
   Time point t 7 : beginning generation of a post-flow, in particular by continuing the feed of carrier liquid, in particular without interruption;   Time point t 8 : terminating the post-flow generation;   Time point t 9 : terminating the carrier liquid vortex generation; and   Time point t 10 : terminating the carrier liquid feed.   
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17 ,
 wherein a time period t 2  to t 3  has a length in the range of from 0.1 to 10 seconds; and/or   wherein a time period from the start of the pourable substrate feed to the end of the pourable substrate feed has a length in the range of from 5 to 120 seconds, preferentially in the range of 10 to 80 seconds, and particularly preferentially in the range of 25 to 60 seconds; and/or   wherein a time period t 7  to t 8  has a length in the range of from 1 to 10 seconds; and/or   wherein time period t 5  precedes time period t 4  when the one substrate feed begun at time point t 3  is terminated prior to the start of the other substrate feed; and/or   wherein time points t 1  and t 2  coincide; and/or   time points t 3  and t 4  coincide; and/or   time points t 4  and t 5  coincide; and/or   time points t 5  and t 6  coincide; and/or   time points t 6  and t 7  coincide; and/or   time points t 8  and t 9  coincide; and/or   time points t 9  and t 10  coincide; and/or   time points t 8  and t 10  coincide.   
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the at least substantially liquid substrate and the carrier liquid are supplied to the mixing device by at least one component of a third supply device, in particular in the form of a tube or hose section. 
     
     
         20 . Use of an apparatus in accordance with  claim 1  for realizing a method for preparing of a beverage, in particular a protein-containing mixed beverage, comprising the following steps
 (a) providing a carrier liquid, a pourable substrate and an at least substantially liquid substrate; 
 (b) feeding the carrier liquid, the pourable substrate and the at least substantially liquid substrate to a mixing device; 
 (c) mixing the carrier liquid, the pourable substrate and the at least substantially liquid substrate into an in particular at least substantially homogeneous beverage by means of the mixing device; and 
 (d) dispensing the in particular at least substantially homogeneous beverage, 
 
       wherein in particular at least steps (b) and (c) can be performed sequentially or in parallel or in alternating sub-steps or in any combination. 
     
     
         21 - 27 . (canceled)