Method for taking into use an exchangeable supply pack in a beverage dispensing machine and system comprising an exchangeable supply pack and computer program product

Abstract

A method for taking into use an exchangeable supply pack in a beverage dispensing machine is disclosed. The exchangeable supply pack comprising a dosing pump and a container with a liquid substance to be supplied by the beverage dispensing machine. The method subsequently comprises detecting placement of the exchangeable supply pack and executing an activation procedure. The activation procedure comprises repeating an activation cycle while detecting whether or not a liquid substance is present inside the dosing pump. The activation cycle comprises activating the dosing pump during a first period of time and at least partially deactivating the dosing pump during a second period of time. The activation procedure is completed when it is detected that liquid substance is present in the dosing pump. In addition, a beverage dispensing system and a computer program product are disclosed herein.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for taking into use an exchangeable supply pack in a beverage dispensing machine, the exchangeable supply pack comprising a dosing pump and a container with a liquid substance to be supplied by the beverage dispensing machine, the method subsequently comprising:
 detecting placement of the exchangeable supply pack;   executing an activation procedure comprising repeating an activation cycle while detecting whether or not a liquid substance is present inside the dosing pump, the activation cycle comprising:
 a) activating the dosing pump during a first period of time; 
 b) at least partially deactivating the dosing pump during a second period of time; 
   the activation procedure being completed when it is detected that liquid substance is present in the dosing pump.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , comprising, subsequent to said detecting and prior to executing said activation procedure, the step of broaching the container to provide a channel for said liquid substance between the container and the dosing pump. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein said dosing pump includes a driven pump pinion for receiving a driving shaft of the beverage dispensing machine and wherein said broaching the container is preceded by an adaptation procedure to facilitate mechanically coupling said pinion to said driving shaft, said adaptation procedure comprising alternately rotating said driving shaft forward and backward. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the activation procedure further comprises detecting if an interrupt condition occurs and interrupting the activation procedure upon such detection, said interrupt condition including one or more of a duration of said start-up mode exceeding a predetermined duration and a number of times that said activation cycle is repeated exceeding a predetermined number of times. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , comprising a buffering step subsequent to completion of said activation procedure and before starting a normal operation mode, in which buffering step a buffer is filled with liquid substance from said container. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the method comprises providing a beverage dispensing machine comprising a controller for controlling the dosing pump, and an inlet to receive liquid substance to be delivered by the dosing pump from the container;
 wherein a first detection facility detects presence of liquid substance in the dosing pump, wherein a second detection facility detects the placement of the exchangeable supply package;   wherein the controller is coupled to said first and said second detection facility, wherein the controller is operable in at least one of a start-up mode and a subsequent normal operation mode, wherein the controller assumes said start-up mode in response to a signal from said second detection facility indicating that a new exchangeable supply package is placed, in which start-up mode the activation procedure is performed, wherein the controller completes the start-up mode upon detection by said first detection facility that liquid substance is present within the dosing pump.   
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein placement of the exchangeable supply pack involves simultaneous placement of thee dosing pump and the container of the supply pack. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , including emitting radiation by a transmitter and providing a detector for detecting radiation, wherein the exchangeable supply pack includes a first substantially transparent element, wherein the transparent element is positioned between the transmitter and the detector. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein an exchangeable supply pack is used that comprises a single dosing pump and a single container with a liquid substance, the dosing pump including a housing that is immovably attached to the container. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein no liquid is present in the dosing pump of the exchangeable supply pack during the placement of the exchangeable supply pack in the beverage dispensing machine. 
     
     
         11 . A beverage dispensing system comprising:
 a beverage dispensing machine and at least one exchangeable supply pack comprising a dosing pump and a container with a liquid substance to be supplied by the beverage dispensing machine, the beverage dispensing machine comprising a controller for controlling the dosing pump, and an inlet to receive liquid substance to be delivered by the dosing pump from the container;   a first detection facility arranged to detect presence of liquid substance in the dosing pump and a second detection facility arranged to detect placement of an exchangeable supply package, wherein the controller is coupled to said first and said second detection facility and being operable in at least one of a start-up mode and a subsequent normal operation mode, the controller being arranged to assume said start-up mode in response to a signal from said second detection facility indicating that a new exchangeable supply package is placed, in which start-up mode the system is arranged to perform an activation procedure wherein an activation cycle is repeated comprising activating the dosing pump during a first period of time and subsequently maintaining the pump in an at least partially deactivated state during a second period of time, and wherein upon detection by said first detection facility that liquid substance is present within the dosing pump, said controller is arranged to complete the start-up mode.   
     
     
         12 . The beverage dispensing system according to  claim 11 , wherein the repeating of the activation cycle is preceded by a broaching step and wherein the exchangeable supply pack includes a piercing element to perform said broaching step. 
     
     
         13 . The beverage dispensing system according to  claim 12 , wherein the exchangeable supply pack comprises a conduit from the container to the pump, having the piercing element rotatable arranged therein, the piercing element having tooth shaped elements facing the container to perform the broaching step, the rotatable piercing element having an outer profile that cooperates with an inner profile of the conduit to define an axial position of said rotatable piercing element dependent on its angular position, wherein said rotatable piercing element at least has a first state wherein it is angularly coupled to a rotatable element of said dosing pump. 
     
     
         14 . The beverage dispensing system according to  claim 13 , wherein said rotatable piercing element has a second state wherein it is decoupled from said rotatable element. 
     
     
         15 . The beverage dispensing system according to  claim 11 , wherein the controller has a detection facility to detect if a duration of said start-up mode exceeds a predetermined duration and/or to detect if a number of times that said activation cycle is repeated exceeds a predetermined number of times and to issue a detection signal upon such detection. 
     
     
         16 . The beverage dispensing system according to  claim 11 , wherein said dosing pump is a volumetric pump. 
     
     
         17 . The beverage dispensing system according to  claim 16 , wherein said volumetric pump is a gear pump. 
     
     
         18 . The beverage dispensing system according to  claim 11 , wherein a buffer space is provided outside said container, and wherein said controller is arranged to perform a buffering step wherein said dosing pump is activated to fill said buffer with liquid substance from said container. 
     
     
         19 . An apparatus comprising:
 a computer program for execution by a controller of a beverage dispensing system that further comprises a beverage dispensing machine and at least one exchangeable supply pack comprising a dosing pump and a container with a liquid substance to be supplied by the beverage dispensing machine, the dosing pump being controlled by the controller, and having an inlet to receive liquid substance to be delivered by the dosing pump from the container, the beverage dispensing system further comprising a first detection facility arranged to detect presence of liquid substance in the dosing pump and a second detection facility arranged to detect placement of an exchangeable supply package, wherein the controller is coupled to said first and said second detection facility, which computer program when executed by the controller causes said beverage dispensing system to perform operations comprising:   detecting placement of the exchangeable supply pack,   executing an activation procedure comprising repeating an activation cycle while detecting whether or not a liquid substance is present inside the dosing pump, the activation cycle comprising:
 a) activating the dosing pump during a first period of time, 
 b) at least partially deactivating the dosing pump during a second period of time, 
   the activation procedure being completed when it is detected that liquid substance is present in the dosing pump.   
     
     
         20 . A method, comprising:
 providing a beverage dispensing machine comprising at least one exchangeable supply pack, the at least one exchangeable supply pack comprising a dosing pump and a container with a liquid substance to be supplied by the beverage dispensing machine;   determining, by a controller of the beverage dispensing machine, a new exchangeable supply pack of the at least one exchangeable supply pack has been placed in the beverage dispensing machine;   activating, by the controller, the dosing pump for a first period of time as part of a start-up mode of operation for the beverage dispensing machine;   at least partially deactivating, by the controller, the dosing pump for a second period of time;   receiving, by the controller, an indication that liquid substance is present in the dosing pump; and   in response to receiving the indication that liquid substance is present in the dosing pump, initiating, by the controller, a normal operating mode for the beverage dispensing machine.