MACHINE AND METHOD FOR PREPARING A BREWED DRINK
A machine for the preparation of a brewed beverage includes a device for the generation of hot water, with a supply line for dispensing the hot water, a holder for a portion pack with an extraction material, the holder being arranged below the supply line, a controller and a recognition unit with an optical sensor connected to the controller, the brewing procedure being controllable dependent on the detection of a color change by the optical sensor. In a method for the preparation of a brewed beverage, a color change is used to control the brewing procedure.
1 . A machine ( 1 ) for preparation of a brewed beverage comprising:
a device configured for generation of heated water, with a supply line ( 2 ) configured for dispensing the heated water,
a holder ( 4 ) configured for holding a portion pack ( 6 ) with an extraction material ( 7 ), wherein the holder ( 4 ) is arranged below the supply line ( 2 ),
a controller, and
a recognition unit with an optical sensor connected to the controller, wherein the controller is configured for controlling a brewing procedure dependent on detection of a color change by the optical sensor ( 10 ).
2 . The machine according to claim 1 , wherein the portion pack ( 6 ) comprises a cover layer ( 9 ) of water-soluble material and wherein the optical sensor ( 10 ) is configured to detect a color change in the cover layer ( 9 ) during the brewing procedure.
3 . The machine according to claim 1 , wherein the optical sensor ( 10 ) is fixed to the supply line ( 2 ).
4 . The machine according to claim 1 , wherein a cover layer ( 9 ) in the portion pack comprises milk powder.
5 . The machine according to claim 1 , wherein a cover layer ( 9 ) in the portion pack includes sugar.
6 . The machine according to claim 1 , wherein the supply line ( 2 ) is moveable via a drive and a surface of the extraction material ( 7 ) with the cover layer ( 9 ) is wettable with the heated water when the supply line ( 2 ) is moved.
7 . The machine according to claim 1 , wherein the recognition unit comprises at least one further sensor.
8 . The machine according to claim 7 , wherein the further sensor is a proximity sensor that is configured to detect in a contactless manner a first shape of the portion pack ( 6 ) and a second shape of the portion pack ( 6 ), which is changed from the first shape.
9 . A method for the preparation of a brewed beverage comprising the following steps:
inserting a portion pack ( 6 ) with an extraction material ( 7 ) into a holder ( 4 ) of a machine ( 1 ) for the preparation of the brewed beverage;
supplying heated water via a supply line ( 2 ) onto the extraction material ( 7 ) in the portion pack for the preparation of the brewed beverage, and controlling the brewing procedure via a controller and a recognition unit with an optical sensor ( 10 ) connected to the controller, dependent on the detection of a color change by the optical sensor ( 10 ).
10 . The method according to claim 9 , wherein the portion pack ( 6 ) comprises a cover layer ( 9 ) of water-soluble material and a color change in the cover layer ( 9 ) during the brewing procedure is detected via the optical sensor ( 10 ).
11 . The method according to claim 9 , wherein the portion pack ( 6 ) contains a cover layer ( 9 ) of water-soluble material with milk powder and/or sugar and wherein the controller prevents dispensing of the heated water when a brewed portion pack ( 6 ) is detected via the optical sensor ( 10 ).
12 . The method according to claim 10 , wherein the color change on the cover layer ( 9 ) of the portion pack ( 6 ) is generated by mixing two layers.
13 . The method according to claim 10 , wherein the color change on the cover layer ( 9 ) of the portion pack ( 6 ) is generated by thermochromatic wrapping.
14 . The method according to claim 10 , wherein the color change on the cover layer ( 9 ) of the portion pack ( 6 ) is generated by a component becoming transparent.