EP3232871A1

EP3232871A1 - Automatic tea-maker with scanner

Info

Publication number: EP3232871A1
Application number: EP15816729.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Sascha Groom
Original assignee: Vorwerk and Co Interholding GmbH
Current assignee: Vorwerk and Co Interholding GmbH
Priority date: 2014-12-18
Filing date: 2015-12-16
Publication date: 2017-10-25
Also published as: WO2016096954A1; CN107105916A

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for controlling an automatic tea maker (2), comprising the following steps: detecting a machine-readable code, in particular a bar code or a QR code, decoding at least one operating parameter for the automatic tea maker (2) from the detected code and controlling the automatic tea maker depending on the at least one operating parameter. The invention further relates to a control device (20) for an automatic tea maker, designed for or comprising means for carrying out said method, to an automatic tea maker (2) which is designed to automatically prepare tea and which is designed for or comprises means for carrying out said method, to a container (52), in particular a sealed container, containing a portion of tea leaves for an infusion and comprising a machine-readable code, in which at least one infusion parameter, in particular the water temperature for an infusion or the brewing time for the contained portion of tea leaves is encoded, and to a system consisting of an automatic tea maker (2) and a container (52).

Description

Tea machine with scanner

The invention relates to a tea machine, which is set up for the automatic preparation of tea beverages. While automatic coffee machines have long been known for the automatic preparation of coffee, tea machines have been developed only recently, which are specially provided for the automatic preparation of tea drinks.

The present invention is based on the object to provide a tea machine with improved functionality.

The above object is achieved according to the invention at least partially by a method for controlling a tea machine, comprising the following steps:

Detecting a machine-readable code, in particular a barcode or a QR code, decoding at least one operating parameter for the tea machine from the detected code and controlling the tea machine depending on the at least one operating parameter.

The machine-readable code may in particular be an optically readable code, in particular a barcode or a QR code. Alternatively, an electromagnetically readable code is also suitable, for example a code stored on a magnetic strip or a code which can be transmitted by means of an RFID chip. However, preference is given to an optical code, since this is cheap to produce and can be read out with a simple scanner or camera system.

The operating parameter for the tea machine may be, for example, a pull time for tea leaves or the water temperature for an infusion. The object is further achieved according to the invention by a control device for a tea machine, set up for execution or comprising means for carrying out the method described above or one of the described embodiments of the method.

The control device can in particular have a microprocessor and a memory connected thereto, for example a RAM or ROM memory, on which a program with program instructions is stored whose execution on the microprocessor controls and / or effects the implementation of the method.

The object is further achieved according to the invention at least partially by a tea machine, set up for the automatic preparation of a tea beverage and arranged for execution or comprising means for carrying out the method described above or one of the described embodiments of the method, in particular comprising the control device described above.

The object is further achieved according to the invention at least partially by a container, in particular a sealed container containing a portion

Tea leaves for an infusion and having a machine-readable code in which at least one infusion parameter, in particular the water temperature for an infusion or the drawing time, for the contained portion of tea leaves is coded.

The container may in particular be a paper bag which may have been coated. A sealed container is understood to mean that the container completely encloses the tea leaves and in particular protects them from moisture.

The object is further achieved according to the invention at least partially by a system of the previously described tea maker or one of the described embodiments of the tea machine and the container described above, wherein the tea machine is adapted to the machine-readable code of the container capture, decode the at least one infusion parameter from the code and to control the tea machine depending on the at least one infusion parameter.

A draw vessel is understood to mean a vessel in which hot water is brought into contact with a portion of tea leaves for a preferably predetermined or predeterminable drawing time, so that constituents of the tea leaves can enter the water and the water thus becomes a tea beverage. This process is commonly referred to as "drawing" so that the vessel will be referred to herein as "drawing vessel". Leaving a serving of tea leaves in a quantity of hot water for a given draw duration is also referred to as "infusion".

The tea machine preferably has a hot water supply, which

is set up to introduce hot water into the drawing vessel. Preferably, a water heater is provided with heating means to heat water to a preferably predetermined or predetermined drawing temperature, before the water is introduced via the hot water supply line in the drawing vessel.

The tea machine preferably further comprises a feeder, in which a user can give tea leaves. Furthermore, means of transport can be provided which are set up to transport tea leaves into the drawing vessel and / or out of the drawing vessel.

The tea maker is preferably adapted to automatically prepare teas with loose tea leaves.

The tea machine preferably has a control device or

Control device which is adapted to control the tea machine. The control device or control device can, for example, a

Microprocessor and a memory associated therewith, on which a program is stored with program instructions whose execution on the Microprocessor controls the implementation of a predetermined method, in particular the automatic preparation of a tea beverage and / or causes.

In the following, various embodiments are described, each of which is applicable to the method, the control device, the tea machine, the tea container and the system, and wherein the embodiments can be combined with one another as desired.

In one embodiment, the at least one operating parameter is a

Infusion parameters, in particular the water temperature for an infusion or the drawing time, and at least one infusion is controlled as a function of the infusion parameter.

In one embodiment, the tea machine has detection means, in particular optical detection means, for detecting machine-readable codes, in particular barcodes or QR codes.

Further advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments, reference being made to the accompanying drawings.

In the drawing show

Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a tea machine in a schematic

Presentation and

Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of a container in a schematic representation.

Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a tea machine in a schematic

Partial sectional view. The tea maker 2 has a housing 4 in which

various components of the tea machine 2 are housed. In particular, the tea maker 2 comprises the following components:

a drawing vessel 6 in which a sieve 8 can be arranged,

a water heater 10 with a water supply 12,

a tea leaf feeder 14,

an output module 16 having an output line 18,

- A control device 20 and

- A display and control device 22nd

The drawing vessel 6 may in particular in the form of a cylindrical glass or

Ceramic cylinder may be formed having an opening 24 for the introduction of hot water 26 into the drawing vessel 6 upwards. At the bottom, the drawing vessel 6 has an outlet 28, via which the finished tea beverage is forwarded to the dispensing module 16. In the drawing vessel 6, a sieve 8 can be arranged or arranged. The sieve 8 preferably has a recess 30 for receiving tea leaves 32. The tea leaves 32 can be supplied to the tea machine 2 via the tea leaf supply device 14. For this purpose, the tea leaves feeder 14 preferably has an opening into which a user can fill tea leaves, preferably loose tea leaves. The tea leaf supply device 14 is set up such that a portion of tea leaves 30 reaches the wire 8. The sieve 8 is preferably movable in the drawing vessel. In particular, the tea leaves 30 can be moved in and out with the sieve 8 into the drawing vessel 6. The water heater 10 is adapted to heat water to a predetermined or predetermined drawing temperature. For this purpose, the water heater 10 corresponding heating means, such as an electric hot plate, on. Of the

Water heater 10 may for example be fed from a water reservoir or from a planned fresh water line. The water supply line 12 is adapted to initiate the water heated by the water heater 10 through the opening 24 in the drawing vessel 6. The dispensing module 16 is configured to dispense the tea beverage passed over the outlet 28 to the spout via the dispensing line 18 so that the finished tea beverage 34 may be filled, for example, into a cup 36 or a jug. In particular, the dispensing module 16 has a controllable valve by means of which the dispensing time and / or the dispensing quantity can be controlled.

The control device 20 is configured to control the operation of the tea maker 2. In particular, the control device may comprise a microprocessor and a memory connected thereto, for example a RAM or ROM memory on which a program is stored with program instructions whose execution on the microprocessor causes the control of the automatic teller 2. The display and control device 22 preferably comprises input elements via which a user can request the dispensing of a tea beverage by the tea machine 2. Furthermore, the display and operating device 22 comprises a display via which the user can be informed about the operating state or about malfunctions of the tea machine 2.

In the following, steps for a possible operation of the tea maker 2 will be described. The control device or control device is preferably configured to control the steps performed by components of the tea maker 2.

1. The user fills over the tea leaves feeder 14 loose tea leaves 32 in the tea machine. These enter the sieve 8.

2. The user selects on the display and control device 22, for example, an infusion for a cup.

3. From the water heater 10 is one, in this case measured for a cup

Amount of water passed through the water supply line 12 into the drawing vessel 6. 4. The sieve 8 is lowered in the drawing vessel 6 so far that the tea leaves 32 come into contact with the water in the drawing vessel 6.

5. After a predetermined drawing time, the sieve 8 is raised again, so that the tea leaves 32 are no longer in contact with the water in the drawing vessel 6. 6. The finished tea beverage 34 is dispensed from the drawing vessel 28 through the dispensing module 16 and the dispensing line 18.

7. The tea leaves 32 are preferably removed automatically from the sieve 8.

The tea machine 2 further comprises detection means 50, which may be, for example, a camera or a scanner such as a

Laser scanner can act. The detection means 50 are adapted to capture a machine-readable code, in particular a barcode or a QR code. Furthermore, the control device 20 is set up to decode at least one operating parameter, such as a drawing time, for the tea machine 2 from the detected code and to control the tea machine 2 depending on the at least one operating parameter, for example an infusion with one of the code decoded To carry out the pulling time.

Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of a container 52. The container 52 is in particular made of paper with a sealing layer to protect a portion of tea leaves contained in the container 52 from moisture. The container 52 may be opened by the user, for example by tearing or cutting open, and the contained tea leaves may then be added to the tea dispenser 2 via the tea leaf feeder 14.

On the container 52 on the outside a machine-readable code 54 is applied, which may for example be a QR code. The user can now hold the container 52 in front of the detection means 50 so that they can capture the code 54. In the code, for example, the optimal drawing time and / or water temperature for the contained tea leaves can be coded. By the tea machine 2 depending on the detected operating parameters, so for example the optimal drawing time and / or Water temperature is controlled, the tea beverage can be prepared in an optimal manner, without the user should determine the operating parameters and / or pretend.

Claims

P a n t a n s p r e c h e

Method for controlling a tea machine (2), comprising the following steps: detecting a machine-readable code, in particular a barcode or a QR code,

Decoding at least one operating parameter for the tea machine (2) from the detected code and

Controlling the tea machine (2) depending on the at least one

Operating parameters.

Method according to claim 1,

wherein the at least one operating parameter is an infusion parameter, in particular the water temperature for an infusion or the draw duration, and wherein at least one infusion is controlled as a function of the infusion parameter.

Control device (20) for a tea machine (2), arranged for execution or comprising means for carrying out the method according to claim 1 or 2.

Tea machine (2), set up for automatic preparation of a tea beverage and set up for execution or comprising means for carrying out the method according to claim 1 or 2, in particular comprising a

Control device (20) according to claim 3.

Tea machine according to claim 4,

comprising detection means (50), in particular optical detection means, for detecting machine-readable codes, in particular barcodes or QR codes. Container (52), in particular sealed container, containing a portion of tea leaves for an infusion and having a machine-readable code in which at least one infusion parameter, in particular the water temperature for an infusion or the drawing time, for the contained portion of tea leaves is encoded.

System of a tea machine (2) according to claim 4 or 5 and a container (52) according to claim 6, characterized in that the tea machine (2) is adapted to detect the machine-readable code of the container (52), the at least one infusion parameter to decode from the code and to control the tea machine (2) depending on the at least one infusion parameter.