Device and process for producing pressurized water and their use for producing beverages

Abstract

A device ( 1 ) for producing pressurized hot or cold water comprising: a water heating and storing tank ( 5 ); a steam generator ( 6 ),—a cold water source ( 13 ); at least one pressurizable transfer tank ( 4 ) provided with: at least an inlet ( 14 ) for filling the tank ( 4 ) with water, an inlet ( 7 ) for introducing steam from the steam generator ( 6 ), and an outlet ( 8 ) for evacuating pressurized water; and separate valve means ( 31, 91, 71 ) to respectively fill the tank ( 4 ) with water, introduce steam in the tank, and evacuate pressurized water from the tank ( 4 ).

The invention is claimed as follows: 
     
         1 . Device for producing pressurized hot or cold water comprising:
 a water tank;   a steam generator;   a cold water source;   at least one pressurizable transfer tank comprising: an inlet for filling the tank with water, an inlet for introducing steam from the steam generator, and an outlet for evacuating pressurized water; and   separate valve means to respectively fill the tank with water, introduce steam in the tank, and evacuate pressurized water from the tank.   
     
     
         2 . Device according to  claim 1  wherein the pressurizable transfer tank comprises a first and a second inlet for filling the tank with water, the first inlet filling the tank with hot water from the water tank and the second inlet filling the tank with cold water from the cold water source. 
     
     
         3 . Device according to any of  claims 1  to  2  comprising a controller that controls the separate valve means and monitors:
 the filling of the pressurizable transfer tank either with cold or hot water; 
 the introduction of steam to pressurize water filled in the pressurizable transfer tank; and 
 the evacuation of pressurized water from the pressurizable transfer tank. 
 
     
     
         4 . Device according to any of  claims 1  to  3  comprising a fluid line between the water tank and the steam generator. 
     
     
         5 . Device according to any of  claims 1  to  4  wherein the inlet for introducing steam in the pressurizable transfer tank is placed near the top side of the pressurizable transfer tank and steam distributor means are provided inside the tank near its top side. 
     
     
         6 . Device according to any of  claims 1  to  5  comprising a first and a second pressurizable transfer tank and the inlet for filling the tank with water of the first tank is connected to the water tank and the inlet for filling the tank with water of the second tank is connected to the cold water source. 
     
     
         7 . Machine for producing beverages comprising an apparatus for preparing and dispensing a beverage from a concentrated ingredient connected to the outlet of the device for producing pressurized hot or cold water comprising:
 a water tank;   a steam generator;   a cold water source;   at least one pressurizable transfer tank comprising: an inlet for filling the tank with water, an inlet for introducing steam from the steam generator, and an outlet for evacuating pressurized water; and   separate valve means to respectively fill the tank with water, introduce steam in the tank, and evacuate pressurized water from the tank.   
     
     
         8 . Machine according to  claim 7  wherein the apparatus for preparing and dispensing a beverage from a concentrated ingredient comprises:
 mixing means; 
 at least a source of concentrated ingredient; 
 ingredient dosing means; and 
 dispensing means. 
 
     
     
         9 . Machine according to any of  claims 7  to  8  wherein the mixing means, the ingredient dosing means, and the dispensing spout are integrated in a single cap connected to the source of concentrated ingredient. 
     
     
         10 . Machine according to any of  claims 7  to  9  comprising a steam line connecting the steam generator to the apparatus for preparing and dispensing a beverage from a concentrated ingredient. 
     
     
         11 . Machine according to any of  claims 7  to  10  wherein the volume of the pressurizable transfer tank of the device for producing pressurized hot or cold water has a volume that is approximately the same as the smallest beverage to be produced by the machine. 
     
     
         12 . Method for producing pressurized hot or cold water comprising:
 providing hot water;   providing steam;   providing cold water;   filling a pressurizable transfer tank with either cold or hot water, the tank comprising an outlet; and   introducing steam into the tank so that the steam pushes water in the tank through the tank outlet.   
     
     
         13 . Method according to  claim 12  wherein the pressure generated by the pressurized water is controlled by the pressure of the steam provided to the tank and/or the volume of the pressurizable transfer tank.