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).
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Publication number: 20250107653Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2024Publication date: April 3, 2025Inventors: Alfred Yoakim, Jean-Paul Denisart, Antoine Ryser
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Patent number: 12245717Abstract: A beverage preparation machine includes a fluid system comprising a fluid source, a pump, a heating element, at least two container holders adapted for receiving ingredient containers, and a control unit for controlling the fluid system to prepare a beverage by mixing fluid with the beverage ingredient contained in the containers to produce a mixed beverage component in each of the containers. The control unit is further arranged to dispense part or whole of the mixed components sequentially or simultaneously to produce the beverage. The container holders differ from one another for holding containers of different sizes and/or types. Separate fluid injection interfaces have different structural and kinematic configurations and are arranged for independently delivering fluid in one of the corresponding ingredient containers. Each interface is connected to the fluid system and adapted to a different container.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2024Date of Patent: March 11, 2025Assignee: SOCIÉTÉ DES PRODUITS NESTLÉ S.A.Inventors: Christian Talon, Christophe Sebastien Paul Heydel, Christian Jarisch, Andre Noth, Enzo Bonacci, Jean-Luc Denisart, Alfred Yoakim
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Publication number: 20250064254Abstract: A beverage preparation machine having an ingredient processing module for preparing a beverage with at least one ingredient supplied with a capsule. The machine includes a positioner arranged to hold at least one capsule out of the ingredient processing module. The machine further includes a sensing arrangement adapted to detect an event related to the insertion by a user of a capsule and/or the presence of the capsule on or into the positioner. The machine is configured, upon detection of the event, to transfer the capsule to the ingredient processing module by using transfer means, and then to start the preparation of the beverage. The machine provides a convenient and safe solution to fully automate the preparation of a beverage.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2024Publication date: February 27, 2025Inventors: Alfred Yoakim, Youcef Ait Bouziad, Fabien Ludovic Agon, Alexandre Kollep, Gilles Gavillet
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Patent number: 12193596Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 29, 2020Date of Patent: January 14, 2025Assignee: Societe des Produits Nestle S.A.Inventors: Alfred Yoakim, Jean-Paul Denisart, Antoine Ryser
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Patent number: 12178354Abstract: The invention pertains to the field of the beverage preparation machines having an ingredient processing module for preparing a beverage with at least one ingredient supplied with a capsule. The machine comprises a positioner arranged to hold at least one capsule out of the ingredient processing module. It further comprises a sensing arrangement adapted to detect an event related to the insertion by a user of a capsule and/or the presence of the capsule on or into the positioner. The machine is configured, upon detection of the event, to transfer the capsule to the ingredient processing module by using transfer means, and then to start the preparation of the beverage. More particularly, the invention relates to a machine providing a convenient and safe solution to fully automate the preparation of a beverage.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2019Date of Patent: December 31, 2024Assignee: Societe des Produits Nestle S.A.Inventors: Alfred Yoakim, Youcef Ait Bouziad, Fabien Ludovic Agon, Alexandre Kollep, Gilles Gavillet
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Publication number: 20240375853Abstract: The invention relates to a capsule (100) for preparing a beverage in a beverage preparation machine. The capsule (100) comprises a capsule body (110) with a sidewall (111) and a bottom wall (120). The sidewall (111) and the bottom wall (120) delimit a chamber (150) for a substance that is used for the preparation of the beverage. The chamber (150) has an opening (151) opposite to the bottom wall (120) with respect to the chamber (150). The sidewall (111) and/or the bottom wall (120) is/are made from a compostable multilayered sheet material (200), which has a moisture and oxygen barrier function. The sheet material (200) comprises a primary sheet layer (210), which is made of a formable cellulose-based material. The sheet material (200) further comprises one or more secondary layers (220) that comprise at least a moisture barrier layer (221) for the moisture barrier function. The invention also relates to a method for producing said capsule (100).Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2022Publication date: November 14, 2024Inventors: CHRISTOPHE SEBASTIEN PAUL HEYDEL, ALFRED YOAKIM, CHRISTIAN TALON
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Publication number: 20240336426Abstract: A container (6) arranged for containing a precursor material for use with a machine for preparing a beverage and/or foodstuff, the container comprising: a storage portion (58) having an opening for receiving the precursor material; a membrane (56) to close the opening; a flange (60) including an upper surface, an opposed lower surface, and a peripheral edge, and; a machine-readable code (44) storing preparation information for use with a preparation process performed by said machine, wherein the membrane is arranged to extend; over the upper surface, around the peripheral edge, and over the lower surface, wherein the code is arranged on a lower surface portion of the membrane, which adjoins the lower surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2022Publication date: October 10, 2024Inventor: ALFRED YOAKIM
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Publication number: 20240317486Abstract: A container arranged for containing a precursor material for use with a machine for preparing a beverage and/or foodstuff, the container comprising: a storage portion a closing member, a flange connecting the storage portion and closing member, a machine-readable code storing preparation information for use with a preparation process performed by said machine, the code comprising a plurality of elements: wherein said elements of the code extend from a first position on the storage portion to a second position on the flange, so that the code is readable from the flange or the storage portion, the elements arranged to be read about an axis of rotation of the capsule.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2022Publication date: September 26, 2024Inventors: ALFRED YOAKIM, PETER SIEGRIST, STEFAN KAESER
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Publication number: 20240300731Abstract: A container (6) arranged for containing a precursor material for use with a machine (4) for preparing a beverage and/or foodstuff, the container comprising: a storage portion (58), a closing member (56), a flange (60) connecting the storage portion and closing member, a machine-readable code (44) storing preparation information for use with a preparation process performed by said machine, and a code carrying member (62), wherein the flange comprises a viewing window (84), the code carrying member (62) extending over the viewing window (84) at a side of the flange that comprises an upper surface (68) of the flange (60), and the code (44) arranged on a flange facing surface (64) of the code carrying member (62), wherein the code (44) is readable from a side of the flange (60) that comprises a lower surface (70) of the flange through the viewing window (84).Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2022Publication date: September 12, 2024Inventors: ALFRED YOAKIM, SIMON MOODIE
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Publication number: 20240206670Abstract: A beverage preparation machine includes a fluid system comprising a fluid source, a pump, a heating element, at least two container holders adapted for receiving ingredient containers, and a control unit for controlling the fluid system to prepare a beverage by mixing fluid with the beverage ingredient contained in the containers to produce a mixed beverage component in each of the containers. The control unit is further arranged to dispense part or whole of the mixed components sequentially or simultaneously to produce the beverage. The container holders differ from one another for holding containers of different sizes and/or types. Separate fluid injection interfaces have different structural and kinematic configurations and are arranged for independently delivering fluid in one of the corresponding ingredient containers. Each interface is connected to the fluid system and adapted to a different container.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2024Publication date: June 27, 2024Inventors: Christian Talon, Christophe Sebastien Paul Heydel, Christian Jarisch, Andre Noth, Enzo Bonacci, Jean-Luc Denisart, Alfred Yoakim
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Patent number: 11944231Abstract: The invention concerns a beverage preparation machine (1) comprising a fluid system comprising a fluid source (2), a pump (3), a heating element (4), at least two container holders (7a, 7b) adapted for receiving ingredient containers (11, 17), a control unit (8) for controlling the fluid system to prepare a beverage by mixing fluid with the beverage ingredient contained in the containers to produce a mixed beverage component in each of the containers, wherein the control unit is further arranged to dispense part or whole of the mixed components sequentially or simultaneously to produce the beverage, wherein the container holders (7a, 7b) differ from one another for holding containers of different sizes and/or types and, and wherein it further comprises separate fluid injection interfaces (9a, 9b) having different structural and kinematic configurations, and arranged for independently delivering fluid in one of the corresponding ingredient containers; each interface being connected to the fluid system and beinType: GrantFiled: November 14, 2018Date of Patent: April 2, 2024Assignee: Societe des Produits Nestle S.A.Inventors: Christian Talon, Christophe Sebastien Paul Heydel, Christian Jarisch, Andre Noth, Enzo Bonacci, Jean-Luc Denisart, Alfred Yoakim
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Publication number: 20230255394Abstract: The invention relates to a grinding and extraction apparatus for roasted coffee beans comprising a grinding device (60) and an associated extraction device (70); the grinding device (60) comprising one or more housings for receiving one or more beans containers (10, 20) with roasted coffee beans of the same or different types; the grinding device (60) comprising a reader (62) to obtain the information of the product parameters of the roasted coffee beans of the one or more beans containers (10, 20); the grinding device (60) further comprising a control unit configured to adapt the grinding size and the quantity of roasted coffee beans for obtaining a certain coffee blend from each beans container to be grinded according to these product parameters and/or according to a recipes database (64) comprising the beverage information associated to the beverage to be prepared; the grinding device (60) further comprising an encoder (62) to encode the beverage information on programmable identification means (65) on a pType: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2021Publication date: August 17, 2023Inventors: YOUCEF AIT BOUZIAD, ALFRED YOAKIM
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Publication number: 20230255252Abstract: The invention relates to a roasting and processing apparatus for coffee beans comprising a roasting device (50) and an associated coffee processing device (60, 70); the roasting device (50) being configured for receiving coffee beans of a certain type that will be roasted, the roasting device comprising reading means (53) to identify the characteristics of the coffee beans dispensed to it, the roasting device (50) further comprising a control unit configuring the roasting profile of the beans according to the characteristics retrieved from the reading means (53) and/or from the characteristics of the beans in a database (51) in this control unit and/or according to the user input; the roasted coffee beans being transferred into a coffee processing device (60, 70) for beverage preparation, the roasting device (50) comprising a data transfer function to communicate product parameters of the roasted coffee beans of a certain type to the coffee processing device (60, 70); the coffee processing device (60, 70) recType: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2021Publication date: August 17, 2023Inventors: YOUCEF AIT BOUZIAD, ALFRED YOAKIM, GREGORY SAVIOZ
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Publication number: 20230225561Abstract: The invention relates to a roasting and grinding apparatus for coffee beans comprising a roasting device (50) and an associated grinding device (60); the roasting device (50) being configured for receiving coffee beans of a certain type that will be roasted, the roasting device (50) comprising reading means (53) to identify the characteristics of the coffee beans dispensed to it, the roasting device (50) further comprising a control unit configuring the roasting profile of the beans according to the characteristics retrieved from the reading means (53) and/or from the characteristics of the beans in a database (51) in this control unit and/or according to the user’s input; the roasted coffee beans being dispensed into a beans container (10, 20), the beans container (10, 20) comprising programmable identification means where product parameters of the roasted coffee beans of a certain type are encoded on it by an encoder (52) in the roasting device; the grinding device (60) comprising one or more housings for rType: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2021Publication date: July 20, 2023Inventors: YOUCEF AIT BOUZIAD, ALFRED YOAKIM
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Patent number: 11523710Abstract: A coffee bean container configured to store green and/or partially roasted coffee beans includes an inner volume where the beans are stored, roasting means allowing beans to roast at a certain required degree depending on the original roasting level of the stored beans, and at least part of a grinder to allow for grinding of the beans, once roasted, to a certain grinding size. The roasting means may be a roasting hollow tube through which pressurized hot air circulates such that coffee beans circulate inside the tube and within the internal volume, creating a fountain effect.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2017Date of Patent: December 13, 2022Assignee: Societe des Produits Nestle S.A.Inventors: Flavien Dubief, Alexandre Perentes, Alfred Yoakim, Christianne Bournival
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Patent number: 11259557Abstract: A roasting and grinding system (100) for preparing and delivering on demand roast and ground coffee, the system having: one or more raw containers (10, 10?, 10?, etc.) having green coffee beans of the same or of different types; a roasting unit (20) receiving green coffee beans from one or more of the raw containers (10, 10?, 10?, etc.) at the time, the roasting unit (20) adapting automatically the roasting parameters to the type of green coffee beans to roast; a conservation area (30) where the roasted coffee is stored at appropriate atmosphere until it is grinded; a grinding area (40) having one or more grinding units (41, 41?, 41?, etc.) one per type of coffee to be ground, adapting automatically the grinding parameters to the type of coffee or coffee mix to be ground. The invention further relates to a raw container (10, 10?, 10?, etc.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2017Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignee: Societe des Produits Nestle S.A.Inventors: Alexandre Perentes, Flavien Dubief, Alfred Yoakim, Christianne Bournival
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Patent number: 11049354Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for remotely providing service functionalities for a beverage preparation machine. The beverage preparation machine is adapted for preparing a beverage by receiving a capsule in a capsule extraction unit, circulating a carrier liquid, such as water in particular heated water, through said capsule in the extraction unit and by dispensing a resulting beverage. The machine is in data communication with a remote server via a communication network. The machine monitors parameters related to the machine and submits the monitored parameters to the server. The server initiates a service functionality depending on the submitted parameters. The present invention further relates to a beverage preparation machine adapted to support such a method and to a system for remotely providing service functionalities for a beverage preparation machine at a customer location.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2018Date of Patent: June 29, 2021Assignee: Societe des Produits Nestle S.A.Inventor: Alfred Yoakim
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Publication number: 20210145021Abstract: A machine for preparing frozen confectionery has the ability or characteristic of forming a seat used for accommodating an essentially cup-shaped container. The machine has a heat exchange element having a heat exchange contact surface arranged to be in contact with a heat exchange portion of the container when the container is placed in the machine. The heat exchange element has an inverted conical or curved shape or a number of inverted conical sections, or a combination of curved and inverted conical sections. The confectionery produced can be a frozen product, such as soft ice, or a chilled dessert, such as mousse or whipped yogurt.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2021Publication date: May 20, 2021Inventors: Andre Noth, Youcef Ait Bouziad, Alfred Yoakim
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Patent number: 10893770Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 21, 2014Date of Patent: January 19, 2021Assignee: Societe des Produits Nestle S.A.Inventors: Youcef Ait Bouziad, Christian Jarisch, Alfred Yoakim, Renzo Moser
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Publication number: 20210007537Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2020Publication date: January 14, 2021Inventors: Alfred Yoakim, Jean-Paul Denisart, Antoine Ryser