CN215348395U

CN215348395U - Hot beverage dispensing device

Info

Publication number: CN215348395U
Application number: CN202120509442.4U
Authority: CN
Inventors: S·穆勒; S·R·韦尼格
Original assignee: Franke Kaffeemaschinen AG
Current assignee: Franke Kaffeemaschinen AG
Priority date: 2020-03-09
Filing date: 2021-03-09
Publication date: 2021-12-31
Anticipated expiration: 2031-03-09
Also published as: CH717214B1; DE202021101017U1; CH717214A2

Abstract

The utility model relates to a hot beverage dispensing device with a connecting piece for at least two storage containers in which liquid food is contained selectively as beverage ingredients, a beverage outlet unit for dispensing the liquid food into a container placed below the beverage outlet unit, and heating means for heating the liquid food before dispensing the liquid food. In order to avoid mixing with residues still present in the line from other liquid food products from previous beverage dispensing, the connecting piece of the utility model is connected to the beverage outlet unit by a spatially separate food line. The heating device has at least two separate flow paths for different liquid food products and a common electric heater for the at least two flow paths. The liquid food from the different storage containers is conveyed to the beverage outlet unit via spatially separate food lines, through separate flow paths when a heating device is involved.

Description

Hot beverage dispensing device

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a hot beverage dispensing device with a connecting piece for at least two storage containers containing liquid food selectively used as beverage ingredients, a beverage outlet unit for dispensing the liquid food into a container placed below the beverage outlet unit, and heating means for heating the liquid food before dispensing it.

Background

In hot beverage dispensing devices, such as fully automatic coffee machines, a hot beverage is typically freshly prepared and dispensed from hot water and beverage ingredients during the brewing process. Furthermore, it is possible to store liquid food, for example milk, in the storage container and to dispense the hot beverage, the liquid food being dispensed selectively as a beverage ingredient. For hygienic reasons, such liquid food products are usually stored in a refrigerated environment. Therefore, the food must be heated before or during dispensing to prevent the hot beverage from cooling due to the addition of milk. In known fully automatic coffee machines, this can be achieved by means of steam or a through heater.

Furthermore, devices are also known on the market in which storage containers for different types of milk are provided, which are located in milk coolers designed as accessories. The selection of the milk type is realized through a switching valve in the milk refrigerator. Here, milk from the selected storage container is conveyed by the milk pump via a common supply line and a through-heater configured as a heating block to an outlet on the beverage output head of the fully automatic coffee machine. This may lead to mixing with residues of previously dispensed milk types, since the milk system is not cleaned after each beverage dispensing. This may be disadvantageous, inter alia, in view of allergens which may be contained in liquid food products, for example in the selective provision of normal whole milk and lactose-free milk.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a hot beverage dispensing device in which, if desired, in addition to freshly brewed hot beverage, liquid food can be selectively dispensed from at least two storage containers without mixing with other liquid food remnants remaining in the line in the previous beverage dispensing.

The above object is achieved by the features of scheme 1. Advantageous embodiments result from the dependent claims.

In a hot beverage dispensing device of the type mentioned in the introduction, the utility model is provided with a connection for at least two storage containers, which is connected to the beverage outlet unit by means of spatially separated food lines, and the heating means have at least two separate flow paths for different liquid foods and a common electric heater for the at least two flow paths. Thus, liquid food from different storage containers is conveyed to the beverage outlet unit via spatially separated food lines, when a heating device is involved, via separate flow paths. This has the advantage that only one heating device for heating different food products is required. In this way, on the one hand, a compact design is achieved and, on the other hand, an economical, energy-saving operation is possible, since no separate heating device has to be provided and maintained at the operating temperature.

The heating device is preferably designed as a heating block. To this end, the heating device has a heat storage body made of a metal having a high thermal mass and/or a high thermal conductivity, in particular made of aluminum, brass or copper, the flow path and the heater being in thermal contact with the heat storage body. Such heating blocks are usually kept at operating temperature continuously during operation, so that no long heating times are necessary before the corresponding product is dispensed.

In a preferred embodiment, the heat accumulator is made of cast metal, in particular of aluminum casting, which at least partially surrounds the flow path and the heater. The heating block is therefore composed of the cast metal block, the flow channel and the heater embedded therein, and if appropriate also an insulating structure surrounding the cast block, whereby the heating block can be constructed in a particularly compact and energy-saving manner. Aluminum has a particularly high thermal conductivity, thus ensuring a uniform heat distribution.

In a preferred embodiment of such a heating block, the flow path and the heater may be configured as concentric helical structures. For example, the flow path may be configured as a helical copper or stainless steel tube which may be formed as an external or intermediate helical structure, and the heater may be formed as an internal heating helical structure, where a total of three helical structures are concentrically arranged about a common central axis. A particularly space-saving construction is thereby achieved. If copper tubing is used, a food-safe inner coating may additionally be provided so that the liquid food does not come into direct contact with the copper.

Furthermore, the hot beverage dispensing device can be configured with a controlled control device for controlling the electric heater, which control device serves to maintain the heat accumulator of the heating device at a constant operating temperature. The operating temperature here is preferably below 80 c, more preferably below 70 c. At the temperatures mentioned above, less deposits are formed, in particular in the case of milk products, which can lead to the formation of dirt (dirt) on the heating block which is difficult to clean. Furthermore, at a correspondingly constant operating temperature, long heating times before dispensing the beverage can be avoided. Thus, the hot beverage dispensing device can be ready for dispensing at any time.

In a further preferred embodiment, the beverage outlet unit has at least two outlets for different liquid foodstuffs arranged side by side. The spatially separated lines via the spatially separated outlets reliably prevent the different liquid foodstuffs from mixing during dispensing.

The hot beverage dispensing device has a receiving space for the at least two storage containers. The receiving space preferably has a cooling device for cooling the receiving space. Thus, it is possible to preserve food which is easily spoilable, particularly milk or milk substitute products, for a long period of time. Thus, the storage container does not have to be removed to store it in the refrigerator and only connected to the hot beverage dispensing apparatus when needed.

In particular, the receiving space with the cooling device is designed as an attachment and is connected to a hot beverage dispensing device, in particular a fully automatic coffee machine, by means of a separate food line. Thus, the attachment can be placed in a suitable location, for example under a counter, while the actual hot beverage dispensing machine is placed on a work surface above it. This results in a particularly space-saving construction.

Drawings

Further advantages and characteristics of the utility model will emerge from the following description of an embodiment with reference to the attached drawings. Wherein:

figure 1 shows a flow diagram of a hot beverage dispensing device with two storage containers;

figure 2 shows a perspective view of a heating block used in the hot beverage dispensing device;

FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a heating block with two separate flow paths; and the number of the first and second groups,

fig. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the helical fluid lines and heaters of the heating block of fig. 2.

Detailed Description

In figure 1a flow diagram of the hydraulic components of a hot beverage dispensing device is shown. In particular, such a hot beverage dispensing device may be a fully automatic coffee machine. The apparatus comprises an outlet unit 10 below which a drinking vessel 11 is placed. Different hot beverages or beverage ingredients can be dispensed to the drinking container 11 through the outlet unit 10. To this end, the hot beverage dispensing device comprises a hot water heater 12 in the form of a boiler. Hot water may be dispensed through

valves

13a, 13b to the

outlets

10a, 10b of the outlet unit 10. The hot water for flushing the flow path may be directly discharged to the drain port through the drain line 15 by the

switching valves

14a and 14 b.

For example, hot water from the hot water heater 12 may be used to prepare hot tea or freshly brewed coffee. A corresponding brewing device of conventional construction known per se is not shown here.

In the present invention, it is important to dispense the liquid food product contained in the storage container, in particular, milk. For this purpose, a refrigerating cabinet 20 is provided, in which two

storage containers

21a, 21b are stored in a refrigerated manner. Thus, two different liquid food products can be stored, for example normal whole milk and lactose-free or low-fat milk, or alternatively a milk substitute product, for example almond milk, rice milk, soy milk or oat milk. Likewise, other ready-made beverages, such as tea, can also be stored in one of the

storage containers

21a, 21b and optionally dispensed as hot beverages or hot beverage additives.

Each of the two

storage containers

21a, 21b is connected via a suction line to a

pump

22a, 22b, respectively, by means of which the associated liquid food product can be conveyed from the

storage container

21a, 21b to the outlet unit 10. The flow paths of the liquid food stored in the two

storage containers

21a, 21b extend completely separately to the outlet unit 10. Since the hydraulic circuits for the liquid food from the two

storage containers

21a, 21b are symmetrically configured, only the flow path for the food from the storage container 21a will be described below. The same description applies, where appropriate, to the second flow path for the food product from the second storage container 21 b.

A shut-off valve 23a is located in the suction line between the storage container 21a and the pump 22 a. Furthermore, the air line 24a opens into the suction line between the shut-off valve 23a and the pump 22 a. The air line is provided with an air valve 25 a. If the air valve 25a is opened, air is simultaneously sucked in addition to the liquid food from the storage container 21a when the pump 22a is operated. In this way, the liquid food product from the storage container 21a may be foamed in the pump 22a and dispensed as a foamed beverage additive (e.g. milk foam). The amount of air can be metered by the timing operation of the air valve 25 a. Furthermore, the flushing line 26a opens into the air line 24 a. By opening the flushing valve 27a, water can flow through the milk system to clean the milk system.

On the pressure side of the pump, a spiral mixer 28a is provided, which serves as a counter-pressure element in order to increase the pressure prevailing in the pump. Thereby, frothing of the liquid food is facilitated. Instead of a spiral mixer, any other counter-pressure element may be used, such as a fixed screen or a labyrinth-like resistance-passing element.

Two shut-off valves 29, 29' are arranged in parallel downstream of the counter-pressure element 28 a. By opening the valve 29, the liquid food delivered by the pump 22a can be conveyed from the storage container 21a via the food line 33a to the heating device 30 configured as a heating block and via this to the beverage outlet 10a on the outlet unit 10. The liquid food is heated in the heating block 30, whereby said liquid food is dispensed as a heated beverage ingredient for preparing a hot beverage. Alternatively, valve 29 can be closed and valve 29' opened. Thereby, the heating block can be bypassed, so that the delivered liquid food product is dispensed directly, i.e. without heating, at the beverage outlet 10a of the outlet unit 10. This option may be selected when it is desired to obtain a cold beverage (e.g. iced coffee or iced chocolate) instead of a hot beverage.

Optionally, the device also has a second hot water heater 40. Hot water for cleaning purposes can be filled into the detergent mixing container 41 by the second hot water heater. Furthermore, the detergent can be fed from the detergent container 43 to the detergent mixing container 41 by means of the metering pump 42. In this manner, the mixing forms a detergent solution. The suction line from the pump 22a can be connected to the detergent mixing container 41 via a connecting element 44a, which can be switched. Thereby, the cleaning fluid can be sucked in and transported through the milk system. In this case, the discharge valve 14a opens in the direction of the discharge line 15, so that no cleaning solution can be dispensed into the drinking container unintentionally. Next, the rinsing is performed again with water by opening the valve 27 a. A corresponding integrated cleaning system is described in EP 3349627 a1, to avoid unnecessary repetition, reference being made here to the entire content of this document.

The connecting element 44b for the second storage container 21b and the connecting element 44a parallel thereto serve as plug-in connections for the storage container and optionally for the detergent mixing container 41, which is connected to the detergent mixing container instead of the

storage containers

21a, 21b in order to perform cleaning.

The apparatus is peculiar to the heating block 30. The heating block has two

separate flow paths

31a, 31 b. The flow path 31a is connected to a food line 32a from the first storage container 21a, and the flow path 31b is connected to a food line 32b from the second storage container 21 b.

The structure of the heating block 30 is shown in detail in fig. 2 to 4. The base 33 of the heating block 30 consists of a cast aluminum body. In the cast aluminum body, lines serving as the

flow paths

31a, 31b and an electric heater 34 with an electrical connection contact point are embedded. The

lines

31a, 31b are made of stainless steel and extend helically inside the heating block 30. The electric heater 34 is likewise of helical design. The spiral heater 34 and the

spiral lines

31a and 31b are concentrically disposed around the central axis of the heating block 30, and here, the heater 34 is constituted as the innermost spiral structure.

In an alternative embodiment, the heating block may also comprise a base body made of copper, on which the food line is welded as a flow path. In this case, the heater may be provided inside the base body or on the side of the base body opposite to the food conduit.

The heater block 30 may be at a constant operating temperature between 60 ℃ and 70 ℃ using the heater 34. The fluid flowing through the

helical lines

31a, 31b is heated by the heating block 30 on its way. Due to the large thermal mass of the cast aluminum substrate 33, a constant operating temperature can be maintained via the heater 34 when directing the liquid food product through the flow path 31a and/or the flow path 31 b. The temperature of the heating block may be continuously measured by a temperature sensor 35 on the heating block 30 and may be adjusted by a heater 34.

Both hot water heaters 12, 40 are connected to a water inlet 45. A water pump is provided in the supply line, through which fresh water is delivered. In the two supply lines leading from the water pump 46 to the hot water heater there are also flow meters 47, 48, by means of which the amount of water can be measured. Thereby, it is possible to meter the amount of beverage with respect to the hot water heater 12 and the concentration of the cleaning solution in the cleaning agent mixing container 41 with respect to the hot water heater 40. Furthermore, a line branches off from the water supply line, which leads via the

flushing valves

27a, 27b to the intake lines of the two fluid branches. As already explained, the individual fluid branches of the milk system can be flushed through the valves.

In the embodiment shown a heating block with two separate flow paths. In principle, if more than two different liquid food products are stored and selectively dispensed, more than two flow paths can also be provided in a corresponding manner. In case more than two kinds of liquid food are present, a second heating block may also be provided.

Claims

1. Hot beverage dispensing device with a connection (44a, 44b) for at least two storage containers (21a, 21b), in which storage containers (21a, 21b) liquid food selectively used as beverage ingredient is accommodated, a beverage outlet unit (10) for dispensing the liquid food into a container (11) placed below the beverage outlet unit (10), and a heating device (30) for heating the liquid food before dispensing it, characterized in that the connection (44a, 44b) is connected to the beverage outlet unit (10) by means of spatially separated food lines (32a, 32b) and that the heating device (30) has at least two separate flow paths (31a, 31b) for different liquid foods, 31b) And a common electric heater (34) for the at least two flow paths (31a, 31 b).

2. A hot beverage dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the heating device (30) has a heat accumulator (33), the heat accumulator (33) being made of a metal having a high thermal mass and/or a high thermal conductivity, the flow path (31a, 31b) and the electric heater (34) being in thermal contact with the heat accumulator (33).

3. A hot beverage dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the heat accumulator (33) is made of aluminum or copper.

4. A hot beverage dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the heat accumulator (33) is made of cast metal which at least partially surrounds the flow path (312a, 31b) and the electric heater (34).

5. A hot beverage dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the heat accumulator (33) is made of an aluminum casting.

6. A hot beverage dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 2 or 4, characterized in that the flow path (31a, 31b) and the electric heater (34) are configured as concentric helical structures.

7. A hot beverage dispensing apparatus as claimed in one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the hot beverage dispensing apparatus has a controlled control device for controlling the electric heater (34), which control device is configured to maintain the heat accumulator (33) of the heating device (30) at a constant operating temperature, which is below 80 ℃.

8. A hot beverage dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the operating temperature is below 70 ℃.

9. A hot beverage dispensing apparatus as claimed in one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that each of the connections (44a, 44b) is assigned a pump (22a, 22b), respectively, the pumps (22a, 22b) serving to convey the liquid food from the respective storage container (21a, 21b) to the beverage outlet unit (10).

10. A hot beverage dispensing apparatus as claimed in one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the beverage outlet unit (10) has a plurality of outlets (10a, 10b) arranged side by side for different liquid foodstuffs.

11. A hot beverage dispensing device as claimed in one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the hot beverage dispensing device has a receiving space for the storage container (21a, 21 b).

12. A hot beverage dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that the hot beverage dispensing apparatus has cooling means for cooling the receiving space.

13. A hot beverage dispensing device as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that the receiving space with the cooling means is constructed as an accessory device (20) and is connected to the hot beverage dispensing device by means of separate food lines (32a, 32 b).

14. A hot beverage dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 13, characterized in that the hot beverage dispensing apparatus is a fully automatic coffee machine.