Patents by Inventor Alfred Yoakim

Alfred Yoakim has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9731892
    Abstract: A single-use capsule for preparing a food liquid from a food substance contained therein. The capsule has an upper wall, a lower wall, and a side wall connecting the upper and lower walls, wherein the walls form an enclosure that contains the food substance. The capsule also has a sealed interface connecting the upper and lower walls and a liquid collecting cavity located between the side wall and sealed interface. The sealed interface is configured to open under a predetermined fluid pressure in the capsule to allow the food liquid to leave the capsule. Also, a method for preparing a food liquid from the capsule by passing water through the food substance using centrifugal forces for producing the food liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Alfred Yoakim, Jean-Paul Denisart, Antoine Ryser, Alexandre Perentes
  • Patent number: 9718606
    Abstract: A method for preparing a short coffee extract from a capsule containing coffee powder. The method includes providing a capsule containing contains between 5.0 and 8.5 gram of ground coffee powder, injecting liquid into the capsule to interact with the coffee powder, and centrifuging the capsule in a beverage producing device to force, by the effect of centrifugal forces, the liquid coffee extract out of the capsule so that it can be collected and dispensed. The extraction of the liquid coffee extract is preferably obtained by rotating the capsule within a speed range of 2500 to 7500 rpm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Diego Jimenez Alvarez, Delphine Ricoux, Pierre Monnier, Christian Jarisch, Alfred Yoakim, Alexandre Perentes
  • Patent number: 9693652
    Abstract: A beverage preparation machine (1) comprises: an arrangement (40) for processing one or more beverage ingredients to dispense a beverage; a control unit (21) connected to the ingredient processing arrangement for controlling the processing of such one or more beverage ingredients; and a communication module (11) for communication with an external network (50, 511). The communication module (11) is prevented from controlling the ingredient processing arrangement (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Alfred Yoakim, Fabien Ludovic Agon
  • Patent number: 9668604
    Abstract: A capsule system for preparing beverages by centrifugation of a capsule in a centrifuging brewing device comprising: a set of different capsules (1A, 1B; 1C, 1D; 1E, 1F, 1G; 1H, 1I; 1J,1K, 1L); each one for selectively delivering a beverage having specific characteristics that differ from the other capsules of the set; each capsule of the set comprising a body (2) with a sidewall and a free rim (3), an upper wall (4) and an extractable or infusible ingredient; and an insertion diameter (D) of the body of the capsule for insertion in a rotary capsule holder (14) of the centrifuge brewing device (7) in a referential position, wherein the different capsules in the set having bodies (2) of different storage volumes obtained by a variable depth (d1, d2, d3) of the body in the set but the same insertion diameter (D) for all capsules of the set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Alfred Yoakim, Jean-Paul Denisart, Antoine Ryser, Alexandre Perentes
  • Publication number: 20170142995
    Abstract: A single-use capsule for preparing a food liquid from a food substance contained therein. The capsule has an upper wall, a lower wall, and a side wall connecting the upper and lower walls, wherein the walls form an enclosure that contains the food substance. The capsule also has a sealed interface connecting the upper and lower walls and a liquid collecting cavity located between the side wall and sealed interface. The sealed interface is configured to open under a predetermined fluid pressure in the capsule to allow the food liquid to leave the capsule. Also, a method for preparing a food liquid from the capsule by passing water through the food substance using centrifugal forces for producing the food liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2017
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Inventors: Alfred YOAKIM, Jean-Paul DENISART, Antoine RYSER, Alexandre PERENTES
  • Patent number: 9603479
    Abstract: A capsule for preparing a beverage or liquid food from a substance, in a centrifugal brewing unit, by passing water through the substance contained in the capsule by using brewing centrifugal forces. The capsule includes an enclosure containing a predetermined dose of substance, an opening member which opens the capsule under the centrifugal effect to allow the brewed liquid to leave the capsule. The capsule may also include externally driving the capsule in a centrifugal brewing device wherein the capsule includes a structure configured to offer resistance to torque during rotation of the capsule for maintaining the capsule in a reference rotational position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Alfred Yoakim, Jean-Paul Denisart, Antoine Ryser
  • Publication number: 20170079467
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a beverage preparation device for preparing hot and cold beverages, the device (30) comprising a hot extraction module (10) comprising a brewing unit (1) for injection of hot liquid into a beverage ingredients containing capsule, a hot beverage outlet (2) connected to the brewing unit (1) for dispensing of a hot extracted beverage, and a cooling module (20) comprising a cooling reservoir (5) for receiving the hot extracted beverage, wherein the hot beverage outlet (2) and the cooling module (20) are arranged moveably relative to each other such that the hot extracted beverage may be selectively dispensed from the hot beverage outlet (2) into the cooling reservoir (5) of the cooling module (20) in at least one relative position of the hot beverage outlet (2) and the cooling module (5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2015
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventors: Youcef Ait Bouziad, Fabien Ludovic Agon, Alfred Yoakim
  • Patent number: 9560932
    Abstract: The present invention relates to beverage preparation machine (1) with a virtual shopping functionality. The machine comprises a touch screen (10) and a control unit (21). The touch screen (10) is adapted to display an image (80) of the interior of a shop offering goods (81) related to the machine (1) on the touch screen (10), to display an image of a container (82) on said touch screen (10), and to submit information on a touch operation to the control unit (21). The displayed interior corresponds to the interior of a physical shop offering said goods (81), in particular to the interior of a shop of a chain of physical shops having a standardized presentation of said goods (81). The control unit (21) is adapted to accept selection of a good (81) for purchase upon detecting a touch operation on a good (81) on the touch screen (10) and on the container (82) on the touch screen (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Alfred Yoakim, Fabien Ludovic Agon
  • Patent number: 9545121
    Abstract: Capsule insert able in a beverage production device for preparing a beverage from a substance contained in the capsule by introducing liquid in the capsule and passing liquid through the substance using centrifugal forces for producing the beverage which is centrifuged peripherally in the capsule relatively to a central axis of the capsule corresponding to an axis of rotation during the centrifuging operation comprising: an enclosure containing a predetermined amount of beverage substance, a cup-like shaped body, an upper wall for closing the body, wherein it comprises a flange-like rim extending outwardly from the body which comprises an annular raising portion forming a restriction for the centrifuged liquid How path when said portion is engaged by a pressing surface of the beverage production device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Alexandre Perentes, Christian Jarisch, Alfred Yoakim, Jean-Paul Denisart, Antoine Ryser
  • Publication number: 20170001795
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a capsule (1) for use in a beverage preparation machine, said capsule comprising: (i) lateral walls (2), a pierceable injection wall (3) adapted to be pierced by fluid injection means (4) of the machine, and a dispensing wall (5) adapted to dispense said beverage, that delimit a closed internal volume, (ii) a flexible fluid distributor wall (7), that is located inside the closed volume of the capsule, at a distance below the pierceable wall (3) so as to separate:—a headspace compartment (8) between the pierceable wall (3) and said fluid distributor wall (7) which is able to accommodate the injection means during injection of the fluid, and—an ingredient compartment (9) located between said fluid distributor wall (7) and said dispensing wall (5), containing a bed of non-soluble beverage ingredient particles, characterized in that the head-space compartment (8) contains a superabsorbent polymer (10) able to absorb a quantity of the injected fluid, and swell so as to fill the
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2015
    Publication date: January 5, 2017
    Inventors: Christophe Sebastien Paul Heydel, Alfred Yoakim, Christian Talon
  • Publication number: 20160374502
    Abstract: A method and device for producing a beverage from a capsule containing at least one beverage ingredient are disclosed. The device is configured to carry out the method by feeding a first volume of water into the capsule for prewetting the at least one beverage ingredient, interrupting the flow of water into the capsule for a predetermined waiting time, feeding a second volume of water into the capsule for extracting the at least one beverage ingredient, and dispensing the produced beverage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: Minh Quan Phan, Alfred Yoakim
  • Publication number: 20160347525
    Abstract: The invention concerns pack (1) with an inner volume (2) in which a food or beverage ingredient (7) is stored and in which a beverage is produced when water is introduced inside,—said inner volume (2) being defined by two sheets of material (10) joined to one another at their edges and said inner volume (2) presenting a generally plane shape defining a plane (P) vertically oriented during beverage production,—said pack comprising at least one inlet (3) for introducing water in the inner volume and at least one outlet (4) for delivering the beverage from said inner volume, the water inlet (3) and the beverage outlet (4) being included in one single insert (5), said single insert (5) being positioned at the bottom of the pack and being partially positioned between two joined edges of the sheets of material (10),—said water inlet (3) being closed by one sheet of material (10) defining the inner volume (2), -wherein the single insert (5) comprises a centring hole (53) extending essentially perpendicularly to the
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2015
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: Silvio Butscher, Thomas Kaeder, Alfred Yoakim, Cynthia Scherz, Jean-Luc Denisart
  • Publication number: 20160278401
    Abstract: The invention relates to a machine for preparing a cooled food product, comprising: a receiving seat (1), for accommodating an essentially cup-shaped container, comprising a heat exchange element (1a) having a heat exchange contact surface (21) arranged to be in contact with an outer surface of a side wall (8d) of the container when the container is placed in the machine, a cooling unit (4) arranged for cooling the heat exchange element (1a) and, a stirring unit (5) connectable to a stirring member (9) and arranged for driving the stirring member (9) in at least one rotational movement; wherein it comprises means for measuring the temperature of the product while being prepared, a control unit for automatically setting output parameters according to input parameters received by the control unit and compared to threshold values stored in the unit; wherein the output parameters comprises: at least one rotational velocity of the stirring member and the cooling power of the cooling unit, and wherein the input par
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Andre Noth, Alfred Yoakim, Charles-Austin Sunderland
  • Publication number: 20160270424
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a machine and system for the preparation of cooled confectionery comprising a seat (1) for accommodating an essentially cup-shaped container (8), an heat exchange element (1a) having a heat exchange contact surface (21) arranged to be in contact with an outer wall (8d) of the container when the container is placed in the machine (20), and a temperature sensor (16) arranged to measure the temperature at the outer surface (8e) of the container when the container is placed in the machine, wherein the temperature sensor (16) is arranged distanced from the heat exchange contact surface (21).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventors: Andre Noth, Alfred Yoakim
  • Publication number: 20160255858
    Abstract: The invention relates to a machine for preparing a cooled food product, comprising: a receiving seat (1), for accommodating an essentially cup-shaped container, comprising a heat exchange element (1a) having a heat exchange contact surface (21) arranged to be in contact with an outer surface of a side wall (8d) of the container when the container is placed in the machine, and a stirring unit (5) connectable to a stirring member (9) and arranged for driving the stirring member (9) according to a combination of movements, wherein at least one of the combination of movements has a component directed towards the interior of the container when placed in the receiving seat (1). The method further relates to a system comprising the machine and a container and a method of preparation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Inventors: Andre Noth, Youcef Ait Bouziad, Alfred Yoakim
  • Patent number: 9434532
    Abstract: A capsule, device, system and method for preparing a liquid food or beverage. The capsule comprises an enclosure containing one or more extractable or infusible ingredients and configured and dimensioned to have a perimeter and be radially symmetrical about a central axis to facilitate rotation; and an opening arrangement that allows liquid food to leave the capsule after passing through the ingredient(s), wherein the opening arrangement is configured and positioned near or upon the perimeter of the enclosure to allow the liquid food to leave the capsule radially due to the application of the centrifugal forces. The method and device introduce liquid into the capsule to form the liquid food while applying centrifugal forces to the capsule to urge the liquid to pass through the ingredient(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Alfred Yoakim, Jean-Paul Denisart, Antoine Ryser, Alexandre Perentes
  • Patent number: 9392902
    Abstract: A brewing unit (1) of a beverage preparation machine has: a seat (11) for receiving a capsule (2) having an electrically conductive material (21, 22, 23, 24); and a capsule sensing electric circuit with first and second electric connectors (A, B). The first electric connector (A) and the second electric connector (B) are electrically connected through the electrically conductive material of the capsule (2) when the capsule is present in the seat (11) and electrically disconnected when the capsule is not in the seat so as to close and interrupt, respectively, the capsule sensing electric circuit (A, Aa, a, B, Bb, b, abc).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Alexandre Perentes, Alfred Yoakim, Youcef Ait Bouziad
  • Publication number: 20160192807
    Abstract: The invention concerns a food or beverage preparation machine (1) for preparing a flowable food product or a beverage by mixing a fluid with a precursor ingredient, said machine comprising:—a base (2) having a fluid source, a pump means suitable for conducting said fluid from the source through fluid-conducting pipes to a fluid delivery port (9), and—a functional element (3) detachable from the base (2), comprising connecting means (6, 7, 8) for connecting fluidly to the delivery port of the base (9), characterized in that said base (2) and said detachable functional element (3) both have cooperating magnetic attachment means such that the detachable element and the base can be removably connected with an attracting magnetic effect, and then disconnected by rotating said detachable element relative to said base with a repelling magnetic effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Inventors: Youcef Ait Bouziad, Fabien Ludovic Agon, Alexandre Parentes, Alfred Yoakim, Philippe Dumur
  • Publication number: 20160135637
    Abstract: A method and system for preparing a beverage or liquid from a food substance contained in a filtering receptacle by passing water through the substance using brewing centrifugal forces. The method includes feeding water into the receptacle, and driving the receptacle in centrifugal rotation to force water to flow through the substance in a centrifugal flow path to the outlet of the receptacle. The system includes equipment necessary to carry out the method. The receptacle is a sealed capsule which is opened for water to be introduced into the capsule, contains a predetermined dose of food substance and is discarded after use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2016
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventors: Alfred YOAKIM, Jean-Paul DENISART, Antoine RYSER
  • Publication number: 20160095465
    Abstract: The present invention presents a pumping system (1) with a preheated reservoir (2), a main pump (4) for pumping a preheated liquid (3) from the reservoir (2), and pressurizing means (5) for pressurizing the reservoir (2). Preferably, the pressurizing means set an absolute pressure of 0.5 to 1 bar in the reservoir (2). The liquid (3) in the reservoir (2) can be heated up to 90° C. or more. The present invention achieves a nearly complete suppression of the phenomenon of cavitation at the main pump entrance, and thus achieves an increased pumping performance at elevated liquid temperatures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventors: Youcef Ait Bouziad, Christian Janisch, Alfred Yoakim, Renzo Moser