AU2007200590A1 - Liquid Beverage Dispending Machine - Google Patents

Description

09/02/2007 18:35 +61-2-95522894 WALSH AND ASSOCIATES PAGE 04/28 0 o LIQUID BEVERAGE DISPENSING MACHINE BAKGRO

-D

o 5 The pesent invention relates to beverage making machines and more particularly relates to improvements in such machines for dispensing hot beverages such as Scoffee. Widespread consumption of coffee has spawned production of various tf machines for dispensing and brewing coffee. These machines can be generally 0 o divided into two main categories namely vending machines which may be operated by consumers on demand and which dispense coffee and other hot beverages o according to a mix prescribed by the consumer and generally at the touch of a button. Those machines provide a generally low standard of beverage, but they are quick and convenient and therefore have satisfied a particular market. The second category of machine is the brewing type which brews coffee beans and produces a higher quality of coffee such as cappuccino, There is a wide class of coffee consutners which are discerning as to quality and demand a high standard of coffee.

Coffee brewing machines have been able to satisfy this market. The present inven ion is directed towards improvements in vending and expresso machines and particilarly the latter category of machines which have primarily been adapted for brewing coffee from coffee ground. More particularly, the present invention provides a coffee dispensing machine capable of dispensing hot beverages such as coffees including cappuccino using soluble coffee and means for controlling and monitoring the delivery temperature of the beverage.

PRIQ ART Known hot beverage dispensing machines employ a source of hot water which is mixed with a beverage such as hot chocolate or coffee. These machines include a mixing station at which the mixing of the beverage takes place. Vending machines allow the consumer to select the beverage and the machine does the rest. The beverages delivered by these machines are usually low quality and are not monitbred by an operator.

1 COMS ID No: SBMI-06205405 Received by IP Australia: Time 19:26 Date 2007-02-09 09/02/2007 113:35 +61-2-95522894 WALSH AND ASSOCIATES PAGE 05/213 0 o Known coffee brewing machines are more sophisticated than the vending machines and normally require an operator. Traditionally these machines are known as C)expretso machines and utilise coffee beans but the quality of coffee is largely dependent upon techniques in making the coffee. Till now, technological o developments in the coffee industry have foused on the fresh coffee (espresso and cappubcino) segment ignoring the soluble coffee segment. However, fresh coffee develeprents have failed to address significant issues in both milk-based and fifter varieties. The known brewing machines are effective with potentially high output owhen bperated by a skilled barista.

A typical prior art coffee brewing-machine is disclosed in US patent 4,681,028 o which, teaches a simple coffiee machine having a housing, a fresh water supply reservbir mounted therein, a heating element adapted to heat fresh water supplied to a brewing chamber under pressure. The brewing chamber includes an inlet and an outlet or the coffee and further includes a water pump and driving control.

US pttent 4,491,063 discloses an automatic coffee machine which distributes hot water iunder pressure fiom a tank. boiler or the like and delivers it to a chamber where: coffee powder is contained. The machine includes filtration of the infusion obtair ed by the passing of the hot water through the coffee powder. Some of the prior art in this field has been directed to means for avoidance of clogging of the inlet holes of the hot water to the chamber holding the coffee powder.

US ptent 6,035,762 discloses an expresso coffee machine which operates with filter tapsules and includes a brewing unit with two brewing chamber parts which are cohnected to a brewing water heater and being provided with a multiple nozzle.

US patent 6,003,435 discloses a coffee making machine of the type to deliver hot water iduring a brewing cycle to ground coffee supported in a removable filter unit and iincludes a heated reservoir for water heating and storage and a spray head to delivet heated water from the reservoir to the filter unit. The unit includes a valved conduit which delivers a first amount of heated water from the reservoir to the spray head and a second valve conduit which delivers a second amount of heated water fTom the reservoir to the spray head. Selection switches allow an operator to select ,an amount of coffee to be brewed. The unit further includes a controller in 2 COMS ID No: SBMI-06205405 Received by IP Australia: Time 19:26 Date 2007-02-09 09/02/2007 18:35 +61-2-95522894 WALSH AND ASSOCIATES PAGE 06/28

O

0 communication with the selection switches and controls actuation of the first and second valved conduit during a brewing cycle to deliver an appropriate amount of C) heated water to the spray head for delivery to ground coffee in the filter unit thereby to breiv the selected amount of coffee- Another known expresso coffee machine is disclosed in US patent 5,388,502 which discloses an expresso coffee machine including an electric water heater and a filter basket holder which has a brewing chamber for receiving coffee grounds in a Opouring device arranged at its bottom. The coffee machine further includes a first S 10 duct and a second dulc having a steam outlet. The first duct opens into the filter 0 o basket holding device so as to connect the brewing chamber to the water heater and it includes a through flow controlling valve arranged therein which is always closed when the filter basket holder is not inserted. After the filter basket is inserted into the mhchine the filter basket holder causes the filter valve to move from its closed position into an open position. Another coffee making machine is disclosed in US patent 5,063,836. and described therein comprises a reservoir connected to a mains water:supply and including a level sensor controlling the water refill valve to the reservoir. The machine further includes a thermostatically controlled heating element wherein the thermostat and refill valve are controlled by a single modular replaceable solid state circuit board. The level sensor functions cause refill of the reservoir to the appropriate level sensor functions to cause refill of the reservoir to the appropriate level for subsequent brewing of coffee irrespective of the mains water pressure and the route by which water may previously have been removed from the reservoir. The electronically controlled thermostat allows only small drops in terperatue for example 3 deg F before operating to reheat the water in the reservoir. This allows the water to be stored at closer to the boiling point and delivered to contact coffee for brewing purposes at temperatures of not less than 200. traditionally, coffee brewing machines employ coffee beans or grounds in makin g the coffee and to the best of the applicant's knowledge there has been no use pteviously of instant coffee in coffee brewing machines. Soluble coffee could not pteviously be used in expresso brewing machines due to the method of operation expresso machines operate. Coffee ground or beans is identified in the industry as non soluble coffee wherein the grounds do not spontaneously dissolve in waer. Instant coffee is described as soluble coffee. Traditionally, soluble coffee 3 COMS ID No: SBMI-06205405 Received by IP Australia: Time 19:26 Date 2007-02-09 09/02/2007 18:35 +61-2-95522894 WALSH AND ASSOCIATES PAGE 07/28 0 o has nct been used in coffee brewing machines as no effective techniques have been achieved and no appropriate equipment developed to enable use of this grade of

^Q

C coffee in the production of brewed coffee by brewing machines. If instant coffee was used in traditional expresso machines it would become an amorphous mass of congealed coffee which could not be used In conventional expresso machines, coffee grounds are subject to steam under pressure which forces the flavour from the coffee grounds. Grounds can withstand steam but due to the physical nature of tt soluble coffee it cannoi be used with steam pressurisation necessitating substantial 0changes to known machines of soluble coffee is to be dispensed.

SThere; is a need to provide coffee to the quality of brewed coffee in a much faster time than can be now achieved using conventional machines. Traditionally, brewed coffee takes a number of minutes to prepare but there are occasions where consumners may demand coffee in less than 30 seconds. Conventional machines are not adapted for use writh soluble coffees nor for speedy production of coffee beverages so the market in fast production of high quality coffee from brewing machines has not hitherto previously been exploited.

Traditonal coffee brewing machines have two boilers one which generates hot water for making the coffee and the other for making steam. Conventional wisdom has been to date that it is not possible to produce brewed coffee from machines using only one boiler within the foot print of the same size as or in a space smaller than existing machines. Accordingly, the conventional machine designs have remaited static for some time. Coffee machines ideally deliver coffee at an exit temperature of around 87 deg C although up to about 93 deg C is an acceptable coffee delivery temperature.

During mass production of coffee from a machine, the exit temperature must be maintained to ensure the coffee is delivered to the consumer at the required temperature. This can sometimes be difficult to achieve during peak loads. The steam.required during preparation of the coffee is ideally distributed at around 100 deg C 4 COMS ID No: SBMI-06205405 Received by IP Australia: Time 19:26 Date 2007-02-09 09/02/2007 le:35 +61-2-95522894 WALSH AND ASSOCIATES PAGE 08/28 O Temperature control is effected by means of thermostats and in. the prior art Cl machines heat exchange takes place by contact with ambient air at an outlet which can be an inefficient means of temperature control possibly resulting in delivery of Scoffee which is too hot. One of the problems of the prior art machines is the maintenance of the required discharge temperatures particularly during mass production of coffee. A further disadvantage of the known brewing machines is the 0space !taken up by the machines due to the need for two boilers and the enlarged In space needed to accommodate those boilers. It was previously thought not possible o to reduce a machine footprint by performing all of its brewing functions with one S 10 boiler, C Milk-based espresso coffee machines must be cleaned and maintained regularly to maintain the output quality. The standard of espresso/cappuccino production depends on operator expertise and equipment maintenance, which can lead to the sale df substandard coffee at a premium where for instance, the operator is inexperienced.

Filter coffee must be discarded approximately every 30 minutes leading to ineffidiencies. In busy restaurant environments, this policy is often forgotten which leads to substantial sub-standard coffee being served to customers and loss of future sales.

INVETION

The present invention addresses the soluble and roast and ground coffee technology as well as addressing the problems of milk-based and filter coffee equipment technology.

Using soluble coffee, the apparatus of the present invention replicates the production of expresso and fresh-milk coffees. Given that coffee is such a large commbdity and the growth in coffee sales is in the espresso and fresh milk arena, the present invention allows a soluble coffee supplier to compete with the espresso market.

COMS ID No: SBMI-06205405 Received by IP Australia: Time 19:26 Date 2007-02-09 09/02/2007 18:35 +61-2-95522894 WALSH AND ASSOCIATES PAGE 09/28 In the United States, inl999, 886,338 tonnes of coffee were sold in the USA.

SSoluble coffee at the present time accounts for 9.1% of the total market and fresh coffee 90.1%. Fresh coffee is the fastest growing sub sector in both volume and value terms with increases of 2.4% and 32.6% respectively from 1994 to 1999. The S 5 soluble coffee sub sector has declined with a 1.8% fall in value during 1999.

Despite its potential higher price, soluble coffee is perceived as inferior to fresh 0 (roast and ground). More coffee is now being consumed away from home, accounting for 57% of the total, market. This is reflected in declining supermarket Ssales of both soluble and fresh coffee.

Value'of retail sales of coffee 1994 and 1998 EMIT7.1 US$ (millions) Fresh Instant Total 1994 $5.851 $764 $6,615 1998 $7,761 $779 $8,540 USA Per Capita Coffee Consumption By Age in 1999 Age Number of Cps per day 25-29 4.2 30-59. 3.8 2.8 These; figures show that although coffee is a growing market with continued expansion forecast, the growth is focused in the fresh coffee sub sector of specialty coffees, consumed primarily away from the home and largely by younger generitions.

The ptesent invention seeks to provide improvements in and to the prior art brewing machines for preparation of hot beverages such as coffee and which increases the efficiency and speed of production and which is capable of operating to produce coffee beverages from soluble and non soluble coffee. The present invention further 6 COMS ID No: SBMI-06205405 Received by IP Australia: Time 19:26 Date 2007-02-09 09/02/2007 18:35 +61-2-95522894 WALSH AND ASSOCIATES PAGE 10/28 o provides a cooling chamber for controlling the temperature of delivery of soluble

C

coffee.

In its broadest from the present invention comprises: a brewing machine for delivering hot beverages; the machine including; an inlet for 0receiving a supply of water; at least one boiler which receives water from said I) water supply and which is/are capable of delivering hot water and/or steam; a o mixing station which receives hot water and a predetermined dose of a beverage such as coffee for mixing with said hot water and subsequent delivery of said Sbeverage from said machine; a cooling chamber which receives part said water supply and which delivers hot water at a predetermined maximum temperature; to said mixing station via an outlet the cooling chamber including at least one inlet and at least one outlet wherein said cooling chamber receives cold water from said waterisupply and wherein said cooling chamber receives hot water from said boiler for delivery to said mixing station, wherein the, temperature of hot water in said cooling chamber which is delivered to said mixing station is tempered by cold water, In one broad form, the present invention comprises: a brewing machine for the prepatation of servings of one or multiple hot liquid beverages such as coffee, wherein the machine includes; means for controlling a supply of water to at least one boiler having at least one inlet and at least one outlet, a cooling chamber including at least one inlet and at least one outlet and which is in communication with said water supply and which receives at least a portion of said water supply, a heat exchanger associated with said at least one boiler and in fluid communication with taid cooling chamber and which receives water from said water supply; wherein said at least one outlet to said cooling chamber communicates with and delivers heated water to a coffee mixing chamber and said at least one outlet to said at least one boiler communicates with a hot water valve and at least one other outlet to said at least one boiler communicates with a steam valve; the machine further including a supply of coffee which is delivered to said coffee mixing chamber which:terminates in a coffee delivery outlet.

7 COMS ID No: SBMI-06205405 Received by IP Australia: Time 19:26 Date 2007-02-09 09/02/2007 113:35 +61-2-95522894 WALSH AND ASSOCIATES PAGE 11/22 0 oIn another broad form the present invention comprises: a machine fir the prepatation of servings of one or multiple hot liquid beverages such as coffee, Cwherein the machine includes; means for controlling a supply of water to a boiler having at least one inlet and at least one outlet, a cooling chamber including at least one irilet and at least one outlet and which is in communication with said water supply and which receives at least a portion of part of said water supply; wherein said dooling chamber delivers heated water to a mixing station at which said Sf beverages are prepared; a heat exchanger associated with said boiler and in communication with said cooling chamber and which delivers water to said cooling chamber and which receives water from said water supply; wherein said at least one ooutlet:to said cooling chamber communicates with and delivers heated water to a coffie mixing chamber and said at least one outlet to said boiler communicates with a hot water valve and at least one other outlet to said boiler communicates with and delivers steam to a steam valve; the machine further including a supply of coffee which is delivered to said coffee mixing chamber which terminates in a coffee delivery outlet.

In andther broad form the present invention comprises: a machine for dispensing hot iuid beverages such. as coffee, wherein the machine includes means for contrlling a supply of water to a boiler having at least one inlet and at least one oulet. a cooling chamber including at least one inlet and at least one outlet and whichl is in communicattion with said water supply and which receives at least a portion of said water supply., a heat exchanger associated with said boiler and in comiunication with said cooling chamber and which receives water from said water supply; wherein said at least one outlet to said cooling chamber comnunicates with a coffee mixing chamber; wherein the cooling chamber regulates the temperature of water discharged therefrom for use in the said coffee mixing chamber.

In another broad form die present invention comprises: a hot liquid beverage dispensing machine for the preparation of servings of one or multiple hot liquid beverages such as coffee, wherein the machine includes; a water supply; a boiler which ecives said water supply and having at least one inlet and COMS ID No: SBMI-06205405 Received by IP Australia: Time 19:26 Date 2007-02-09 09/02/2007 le:35 +61-2-95522894 WALSH AND ASSOCIATES PAGE 12/28 Sat least one outlet, a cooling chamber including at least one inlet and at least one C, outlet and which is in fluid communication with said water supply and which receivts at least a portion of said water supply, a heat exchanger associated with said boiler and in communication with said cooling chamber and which receives o 5 water from said water supply; wherein, said at least one outlet to said cooling chamber communicates with a coffee mixing chamber; the machine further 0 including a supply of coffee which is delivered to said coffee mixing chamber tt which terminates in a coffee delivery outlet; wherein, said coffee is water soluble Sand instant.

SPreferably, the heat exchanger is incorporated in the boiler and communicates with said cooling chamber via fluid delivery lines. Preferably, the cooling chamber is located intermediate the water supply and the heat exchanger is incorporated in the boiler, Preferably, one of the inlets to said cooling chamber delivers water preferably cooled to around 85 deg C to 93 deg C and which is discharged via an outlet !from said cooling chamber to said coffee mixing chamber. The coffee mixing chamber preferably receives soluble coffee stored in a coffee reservoir contained in the machine.

In another broad form the present invention comprises; a beverage dispensing machine for delivering hot liquid beverages such as coffee wherein the machine is capable of delivery of soluble (instant) coffee and wherein said machine includes a boiler; a mixing station and cooling chamber which controls the temperature at whichithe coffee is dispensed.

In another broad form the present invention comprises: a cooling chamber for use in a machine for dispensing hot beverages, the machine including an inlet for receiving a supply of water; at least one boiler which receives said water supply and which: is/are capable of delivering hot water and/or steam a mixing station which receives hot water and a dose of a beverage for mixing with said hot water and subsequent delivery of said beverage from said mixing chamber; wherein said cooling chamber receives at least part said water supply and delivers hot water to said mixing chamber via an outlet at a predetermined maximum temperature, the cooling chamber including at least one inlet and at least one outlet wherein said 9 COMS ID No: SBMI-06205405 Received by IP Australia: Time 19:26 Date 2007-02-09 09/022007 18:35 +61-2-95522894 WALSH AND ASSOCIATES PAGE 13/28 o cooling chamber receives cold water from said water supply and wherein said C cooling chamber receives hot water from said at least one boiler for delivery to said

_Q

0) mixing chamber, wherein the temperature of hot water in said cooling chamber whichi is delivered to said mixing station is controlled.

0 Preferkbly there is one boiler in said machine for producing hot water and steam Sand shid cooling chamber is located intermediate said boiler and said mixing S0 chamber.

10 The cooling chamber receives cold water via a pipe which enters said chamber and Sreturns to said boiler. Preferably the pipe is arranged in said cooling chamber to provide a predetermined pipe surface area in contact with boiled water delivered from Said boiler into said chamber. The boiler includes a heat exchanger which receives cold water from said water supply via said cooling chamber and which delivers heated water from said exchanger to said cooling chamber for delivery to said nixing chamber.

The cooling chamber further includes a heating element which increases the tempetature of water for delivery to said mixing chamber from said cooling chamber when the temperature falls below a predetermined minimum delivery temperature.

The cboling chamber further includes a thermostat which isolates said heating element when water in said cooling chamber reaches a predetermined maximum value. The cooling chamber delivers water preferably cooled to around 85 deg C to 93 deg C via an outlet from said cooling chamber to the coffee mixing chamber.

Preferably, the pipe is coiled inside the cooling chamber to maximise surface area contact with hot water in said cooling chamber.

DETAILED DESCRIPTIQN The present invention will now be described in more detail according to preferred but nan limiting embodiment and with reference to the accompanying illustration COMS ID No: SBMI-06205405 Received by IP Australia: Time 19:26 Date 2007-02-09 09/02/2007 18:35 +61-2-95522894 WALSH AND ASSOCIATES PAGE 14/28 O wheren; d Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a dispensing machine (with some features T abbreviated for clarity) according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

o Figure 2: shows a perspective exterior view of a machine according to a preferred o embodiment of the invention.

0 Refering to figure 1 there is shown an abbreviated perspective view of a hot liquid beverage dispenser I according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

0 C Dispenser 1 is typical of the known dispensers to the extent that it comprises a water supply, a means for heating, means for brewing a beverage such as coffee and a discharge for the beverage. Known dispensing machines such as vending machines include a boiler, a supply of water to the boiler, a beverage for mixing with hot water generated by the boiler and a dispensing station. Known expresso machines normally include at least two boilers, a steam chamber which allows pressurised steam to inflse over and through coffee beans and a dispensing station for di4pensing the beverage.

The present invention provides an alternative beverage dispensing machine which is capable of serving coffee made from soluble (instant) coffee and which includes a codling chamber which controls the temperature at which beverages are dispedsed. The machine allows dispensing of beverages including those which would normally be dispensed through an expresso machine with no discemable difference.

According to the embodiment shown, beverage dispenser 1 includes a water supply inlet 2 controlled by a pressure pump 3 driven by motor 4. Pressure pump 3 and motor.4 may be housed inside the machine or located externally. Pressurised water is delivered to a variety of locations in the machine. Pressure pump 3 has an outlet which feeds boiler fill solenoid 6.

II

COMS ID No: SBMI-06205405 Received by IP Australia: Time 19:26 Date 2007-02-09 09/02/2007 18:35 +61-2-95522894 WALSH AND ASSOCIATES PAGE 15/28 Solenoid 6 controls overfilling of steam and water boiler 7. In the event of overptesure, overpressure valve 11 allows release of excess water which is Cdischarged via overflow line 8. Feed line 9 delivers water to cooling chamber and jitcludes therein a water overpressure valve 11. Feed line 9 enters cooling chamber 10 via entry 12 fbrming return loop 13 which continuously delivers cold water:to moderate the temperature of the water in cooling chamber 10. Loop 13 which is preferably a copper pipe, may be coiled to increase the surface of area of contact between the pipe and water in cooling chamber 10. The greater the surface oarea xposed to heated water in cooling chamber 10 the greater the heat exchange between supply water in loop 13 and the heated water in cooling chamber 10. Loop o13 exits cooling chamber 10 via exit 14 whereupon feed line 15 supplies heat exchanger 16 located in boiler 7. Water which is heated in heat exchanger 16 by heat exchange between heated water in boiler 7 which itself is heated by heating element 17 is delivered via feed line 18 to cooling chamber 10 whereupon contact with cooler water in loop 13 reduces the temperature of the water which eventually exits dooling chamber 10 via exit 19.

Boilet 7 receives cold water via feed line 20 with the entry of the water regulated by solenoid 6 to avoid overfilling. The water level in boiler 7 is controlled by means of boiler water level probe 21 which extends from the top of boiler 7 to a predetermined elevation according to the maximum depth of water required in the boiler. Steam generated within boiler 7 through heating with element 17 is contrOled by overpressure safety valve 22. Boiler 7 also includes a pressurestat 23 which controls pressure in boiler 7. Machine I further comprises a receptacle or coffee canister 24 which according to one embodiment holds instant coffee in granulated form Canister 24 terninates in outlet 25 which delivers coffee to coffee mixing chamber 26 when coffee in canister 24 is urged towards outlet 25 by rotatig spiral 27 driven by motor 28. Feed action of spiral 27 is regulated by an operator actuating a control panel on the machine.

In use, the machine operates in the following manner. Once boiler 7 is filled with water from feed line 20 to a predetermined maximum level, it is then heated by heating element 17. Supply water circulates through lines 9 then 15 via return loop 13 and then through heat exchanger 16 in boiler 7. Water heated in boiler 7 12 COMS ID No: SBMI-06205405 Received by IP Australia: Time 19:26 Date 2007-02-09 09/022007 18:35 +61-2-95522894 WALSH AND ASSOCIATES PAGE 16/28 o eventually produces steam within the boiler but this is regulated by safety valve 22 to etnure tolerable pressures are not exceeded. Water level, probe 21 sets a Smaxirtum water level so at all times there is heated water and steam available for use from boiler 7.

S The hbating is tempered by U shaped heat exchanger 16 which receives cool water 0 via feed line 15 and delivers heated water back to cooling chamber 10. Water from I"n cooling chamber 10 is used in the brewing of the coffee to be dispensed from the o machine so the temperature of this water must be at an acceptable level which is S 10 preferably around 87-93 deg C. To assist in regulating the temperature of the water o to be discharged from cooling chamber 10, a dry heating element 29 is attached to boost the temperature in cooling chamber 10 should it fall below a predetermined minimum level acceptable for serving beverages. Supplementary heating by element 29 will be of assistance in periods of high output where the demand on the machine could cause reduction in the ability to maintain a temperature around the optimal 97 deg C.

In the preparation of coffee, the operator requires a supply of water which is directly accessible to the operator, a supply of water for mixing with coffee and a supply of steam. A water and steam supply originate from boiler 7, but in the case of the water for mixing with coffee drawn from canister 24, this is drawn from cooling chamberl0 as it is there that the water temperature is maintained within a predetermined temperature range which might be in the region 87 deg C to 100 deg C. Ideally, this temperature will be closer to 97 deg C but there may be fluctuation during times of high or low demand. The supply of steam direct to the operator is delivered via outlet 30 (abbreviated for clarity) which communicates via valve 34 which' controls flow of steam via outlet 35. The supply of hot water direct to the operator is delivered via outlet 33 which communicates with hot water valve 31 which controls flow of hot water via outlet 32.

Water for mixing with coffee is drawn from cooling chamber 10 via hot water dosing solenoid 36 and is delivered to mixing chamber 26. Mixing chamber 26 is in communication with a canister 24 of coffee which according to the preferred embodiment holds instant or soluble coffee for delivery via outlet 25 prior to 13 COMS ID No: SBMI-06205405 Received by IP Australia: Time 19:26 Date 2007-02-09 09/02/2007 18:35 +61-2-95522894 WALSH AND ASSOCIATES PAGE 17/2B mixing in mixing chamber 26. Cofee in canister 24 is advanced towards mixing chamber 26 by operation of ingredient motor 28 which drives helical screw27.

Water from solenoid 36 is controlled by a water control flow valve 40 and then is introduced into mixing chamber 26 in a circular motion which promotes mixing o 5 with the soluble coffee delivered from canister 24. Mixed coffe is then delivered to cup t7 via delivery outlet 38- The operator determines the mix of the coffee 0 accorfling to prescription. Thus the machine can prepare any form of coffee such as In expresso, cappuocino, short black etc. The embodiment shown has one mixing ochamber but it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, that multiple coffee delivery stations may be included in the one machine allowing fir preparation of omultiple beverages concurrently- For multiple beverage preparation, it will be neceskary to include additional spouts or alternatively, additional dosing solenoids in parallel or series with dosing solenoid 36. Where the machine has multiple filling statiots, this would necessitate additional delivery spouts 38 and may require additional take ofis from boiler 7 and from cooling chamber According to a preferred embodiment, the machine operation is controlled by a control panel.

One of the advantages of the machine is that there is no wastage of spent grounds as in the prior art machines. Also, coffee may be made at the touch of a button and instant or soluble coffie can be used. All soluble coffee is used up. Another advantage of the machine is the potential use of one boiler to supply both the steam and hoi water and within a minimum foot print area. Also, beverages may be prepated in a reduced time in comparison to conventional machines. For example, the machine of the present invention may produce coffee in 10 secs using instant coffee without compromise to the quality of beverages which would be expected from the prior art machines- With the dispensing machine herein described according to its various embodiments, the proprietor can achieve high volume, high-speed coffee that tastes as good as the small, specialist prepared product, and costs less to produce. By using soluble coffee, the machine according to the invention produces consistent coffee quality each serve. Up to four different blends of coffee can be sold at the one time through four individual hoppers. The machine is capable of manufacture of all common milk based coffees and espresso.

Excellent flavour consistently as good or better than traditional Roast and Ground .14 COMS ID No: SBMI-06205405 Received by IP Australia: Time 19:26 Date 2007-02-09 09/02/2007 18:35 +61-2-95522894 WALSH AND ASSOCIATES PAGE 18/28 ocoffee; machines coffee, may be produced in four seconds. Professional quality coffee beverages are achieved without professionally trained operator costs.

Minimal maintenance coffee can be produced whilst the operator is preparing other produts for the customer.

o As distinct from the machine according to the invention, roast and ground coffee machiihes require ongoing maintenance and calibration. The ground based machines Srequire substantial cleaning because of the grounds and modus operandi and the ocoffee grinder requires periodic grinder blade sharpening and ongoing calibration by trained operators. The ground machines are also slow compared to the machine oaccording to the invention and, given the maintenance and trained operator requirements, suffer from inconsistent product and high operating costs- The machihie according to the invention, produces the coffee component fbr an espresso or milk coffee in four seconds as against twenty to forty seconds in a traditional roast and ground espresso machine. Further, coffee does not have to be ground, tampered with or otherwise prepared. Therefobre, waiting time is substantially reduced. In twenty seven months of testing the invention in a number of retail outlets in Australia, not one person noticed that their coffee had been produced using soluble rather than ground coffee. In each retail outlet where the machine was tested. they are now permanent and coffee sales have continued to grow. The machine has the appearance of a conventional roast and ground espresso machine.

Untrained personnel can produce consistently good quality coffee quickly and efficie.ntly.

The coling chamber which controls the temperature of delivery of the beverage in addition to its adaption to the dispensing machines. of the type described herein in detail nay be adapted to known hot beverage dispensing machines of the vending machine type. It may also be adapted for expresso type machines and vending machines.

Machine 1 further comprises a steam gauge 41 and a water temperature gauge 42 to monitor steam pressure in the boiler 7. A pump may be installed to maintain pressure no less than a predetermined minimum.

COMS ID No: SBMI-06205405 Received by IP Australia: Time 19:26 Date 2007-02-09 09/02/2007 18:35 +61-2-95522894 WALSH AND ASSOCIATES PAGE 19/28

O

SFigure 2 shows a perspective exterior view of a beverage dispensing machine 43 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. Machine 43 is capable of dispensing coffee beverages such as long black, short black, milk coffee, late and Scappuccino and includes a single boiler (not shown) which includes a heat O 5 exchanger inside the boiler. Machine 43 has an outer casing 44 which contains the boiler:7, heat exchanger 16 and cooling chamber 10 (see figurel) all of which are concealed from view. Hot water valve 45 provides hot water via wand 47 upon n dematd by an operator and steam valve 46 provides steam via wand 48 upon o demand by an operator. A second steam supply valve 49 delivers steam via wand S 10 50 upon demand by an operator. Cups (not shown) are placed on tray 51 in 0 Salignment with delivery spouts 52-55 allowing for multiple beverages to be prepared at the same time.

Delivery of beverages is controlled by control panels 56-59 which control respedtively delivery spouts 52-55. Separate buttons on each control panel will allow according to the embodiment shown in figure 2 dispensing of such beverages as short black, long black, cappuccino, hot chocolate, hot water, latte or milk coffee Absent from the machine is a closed pressurised steam system as in the prior art machines which allows steam infusion of coffee grounds. That system usually results in wastage of coffee grounds whereas the arrangements for the machine described above eliminate wastage of the beverage.

It will be recognised by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and modifications may be made to the invention broadly described herein without departing from the overall spirit and scope of the invention.

16 COMS ID No: SBMI-06205405 Received by IP Australia: Time 19:26 Date 2007-02-09