DK2868621T3 - Drink dispenser and method of operating a beverage dispenser - Google Patents

Description

Beverage dispenser and method for operating the same

The invention relates to a beverage dispenser of the type specified in the preamble of claim 1 as well as a method for operating a beverage dispenser of the type specified in the preamble of claim 10.

Beverage dispensers are primarily used in the food service industry and in communal catering. For this purpose, beverage concentrates are usually delivered in beverage storage containers that are then installed in the beverage dispenser which in particular has a refrigerating function for the beverage contained in the storage container. The beverage concentrate is diluted with water either prior to or following installation of the beverage storage container in the dispenser. The beverage is preferably dispensed manually from the beverage dispenser via a dispensing system. DE10 2011 050 350 A1 for example proposes a beverage dispenser having a storage container for a beverage - in particular a juice drink or a diluted juice drink - which is inserted in an essentially closed housing. The beverage storage container takes the form of a drawer. The drawer is inserted into a container receiving portion of the housing and includes a dispensing system for dispensing the beverage contained in the storage container as required. All of the container receiving portion except for the receiving opening is fitted with cooling surfaces and is of a closed design. If the beverage to be dispensed is a diluted juice drink, water can be supplied to the beverage storage container via a container opening and a fresh water inlet connected to the container opening. For this purpose, a water line extends into the container receiving portion. The container opening is usually provided at the top of the beverage storage container, above its maximum filling level. With the beverage storage container fully inserted, the water line will come in above the container opening.

As specified in DE 10 2011 050 350 A1, the drawer is completely open towards the top. When inserted, the drawer completely closes the front portion of the receiving opening, meaning that the beverage will also be stored in the housing in a closed manner.

Because the beverage storage container is closed in operation after it has been fully inserted, and can be easily removed for cleaning, this results in a relatively high level of hygiene. Nevertheless, if the beverage is stored in the dispenser for a prolonged period of time, germs and dirt particles may enter the beverage container via the air. Furthermore, there are no control mechanisms which could be used to determine when and how carefully the container was cleaned. Consequently, there is hardly any way of preventing carelessness or even deliberate negligence of hygienic requirements on the part of the user of the beverage dispenser. A beverage dispenser of the generic type is known from US 2010/0203207 A1. This beverage dispenser comprises a housing, a beverage storage container in the form of a drawer, a housing opening, a container receiving portion which is used to insert the beverage storage container into the housing through the housing opening, a dispensing system, a dispensing aperture (32) which is provided in the beverage storage container and which cooperates with the dispensing system, and a container opening above the maximum filling level. Moreover, a pressing mechanism is provided which urges a surface of the beverage storage container which surrounds the container opening into sealing contact with the associated wall of the container receiving portion of the housing.

It is the object of the invention to further develop a beverage dispenser of the above mentioned type so as to eliminate the abovementioned shortcomings, to ensure ease of operation of the beverage dispenser and to provide it with a space-saving design that will largely prevent contamination of the stored beverage simply by means of a sealing action that does not require any additional components, in order to prevent germs and dust or dirt particles from entering the beverage storage container. Furthermore, the invention provides a method for operating said beverage container in a preferred embodiment.

This object is accomplished for this device by the characterizing features of claim 1 in combination with the features of its preamble.

The invention is based on the finding that the beverage storage container can simply be inserted in the dispenser via a ramp and that the container will be sealed therein, preferably in an airtight manner, which thus provides a simple solution to prevent contamination. There are additional design options for further reducing the likelihood of a contamination with germs, as will be described below.

According to the invention, the beverage dispenser has a housing, at least one housing opening and at least one beverage storage container in the form of a drawer with a container opening above the maximum filling level of the beverage storage container. When fully inserted, the beverage storage container closes the housing opening. Furthermore, at least one container receiving portion is provided in the housing into which the beverage storage container is inserted through the opening in the housing. In addition, the beverage dispenser comprises a dispensing system and a dispensing opening of the beverage storage container which cooperates with the dispensing system. According to the invention, a pressing mechanism is provided which urges the beverage storage container into sealing contact with the container receiving portion of the housing. The pressing mechanism has a guide which extends from the housing opening in the insertion direction of the container into the container receiving portion and which slopes upwards in such a way that, when the container is in place in the dispenser, the guide will urge the rear portion of the beverage storage container in contact with the top of the container receiving portion. Furthermore, the pressing mechanism has a ramp which is integrally formed in the front part of the beverage storage container and which is designed such that the container, when fully inserted, will be pressed against the top of the container receiving portion, such that - with the beverage storage container fully inserted - the latter will have its rear portion resting on the guide and its front portion resting on the ramp. Owing to this design, this pressing action requires only slightly more effort than would be required for inserting the container into a container receiving portion without a pressing mechanism, since the user will essentially insert the container horizontally into the container receiving portion, and there will be sufficient contact pressure due to the ramp, even at a small gradient angle.

This has the advantage that, from the time when the container with the beverage or at least part of the beverage is inserted into the housing, for the period in which the beverage is only stored in the dispenser, this will prevent germs or dust or dirt particles from entering the device, above all in the area of the container opening. It is also advantageous that such sealing can be accomplished without any additional components, since an inner surface of the container receiving portion in the housing is used for covering the container. This reduces production costs and facilitates cleaning.

The fact that the surface of the beverage storage container which surrounds the container opening is pressed toward the top of the container receiving portion - either indirectly via a seal or directly - makes it possible to store a maximum supply quantity in the container.

Because the pressing mechanism is activated through the complete insertion of the beverage storage container, there is no need for any additional operating elements or steps. Incorrect operation is impossible. At the same time, the container base can be chosen such that it will also slope down slightly towards the housing opening in the contact state. This solves the frequent problem of a considerable residual amount of the beverage remaining at the bottom of the container at the end which cannot be dispensed anymore. The dispensing opening of the beverage storage container is located in the front portion of the container, near the bottom. Because the container base slopes down towards the housing opening and thus towards the dispensing system, any beverage still remaining in the container towards the end of the dispensing process will thus collect near the dispensing system. This allows the beverage stored in the container to be dispensed almost completely without leaving any major residue.

It is particularly advantageous for the guide to be formed by the base of the container receiving portion. This considerably simplifies the design of the beverage dispenser and makes it easy to clean.

In a preferred embodiment, at least one seal and at least one pump are provided. The pump can be connected to the container opening via a line, so that - when the beverage storage container is in place and the pressing mechanism has been activated - the pump can supply negative pressure to the beverage storage container. The danger of contamination of the beverage supply stored in the container is thus reduced further since firstly, this will largely remove any air present inside the container before the pressing action, and secondly, the negative pressure applied will increase the pressing effect which will in turn result in better sealing.

In one aspect of the invention, a valve is provided in the line which will connect the beverage storage container to the pump once the pump is activated, and will connect it to an air supply line once the dispensing system is activated. This will momentarily eliminate the negative pressure in the container when beverage is being dispensed, owing to the entry of gas or air. The beverage can thus be dispensed easily. Afterwards, the valve is switched over again and the pump will immediately generate negative pressure or a vacuum again. This further prevents contamination of the container interior.

It is particularly advantageous if an air filter, in particular an activated carbon filter, is included in the air supply line. This minimizes the danger of germs or dust or dirt particles entering the beverage storage container via the inflow of gas, above all ambient air, as the beverage is being dispensed, and contaminating the beverage.

The air supply line can also be used as a supply line for water which is required for the preparation of diluted juice drinks. A combined pump with an appropriate valve can be used to supply air or water, as required. However, in one embodiment of the invention, a separate water line is provided for supplying water to the beverage storage container, which line is connected to the container opening or opens into it when the beverage storage container is fully inserted in the device. Consequently, the beverage dispenser can be used not only for dispensing ready-to-drink beverages, but also for dispensing beverages which are prepared in the dispenser by mixing beverage concentrate and water, whilst the fact that separate lines for air and water are provided ensures easy and hygienic operation.

The water supply line can also draw water from canisters or the like, for example, thus allowing the beverage dispenser to be used regardless of local circumstances.

Preferably, a water pump is provided which is connected to the water supply line and which supplies water from the water container to the beverage storage container. This allows the beverage dispenser to be used even if there is no fixed water supply.

However, where tap water of sufficient quality is available, a water connection connected to the water line can be used for connection to a fixed water supply when concentrate-based beverages are to be dispensed. In this case, the beverage storage container with the concentrate is inserted in a beverage dispenser, then water is added and the beverage can be dispensed. This reduces both the costs and the required space for the beverage dispenser, as well as the logistical effort.

In another aspect of the invention, a valve is provided in the water line, which valve selectively connects the dispenser to the water pump or a water supply line for water that is supplied manually, and to the water connection for tap water. The beverage dispenser can thus be used in an even more flexible manner, since the desired water supply can easily be selected through the position of a valve.

In an advantageous embodiment, the beverage dispenser has at least one data input means which cooperates with a control unit that controls the actuators of the beverage dispenser such as the pump or the water inlet valve. Such data input means may both be input means that require data to be actively entered via keys, a touchscreen or the like, or input means that read information, for example a barcode scanner. The mixing, storage and dispensing parameters can thus be entered conveniently by the user as required.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a first sensor is provided which is connected to the control unit and which is used to measure the amount of water supplied to the beverage storage container. Such information on the one hand serves to prevent overfilling of the beverage storage container in excess of the desired amount, and on the other helps detect any attempts at manipulating the dispenser. This will be explained in more detail below.

It is also considered advantageous to use a second sensor which is connected to the control unit and which is used to measure the filling level of the beverage storage container. Also the information provided by this sensor is used for determining the appropriate amount of water supplied and for detecting any manipulation attempts.

As a means of protection of the device, in particular from use by unauthorized persons, the beverage dispenser can be provided with a locking mechanism on the housing opening which safely locks the beverage storage container in the housing. This also makes sense from a hygienic point of view, amongst other things, since this will ensure that only authorized persons will have access to the container and the beverage stored in it. The locking mechanism can cooperate with the control unit.

Furthermore, a cooling device is provided which cools the interior and thus the beverage contained in the receiving means. The cooling device is located below the receiving means and comprises a compressor, a heat exchanger and one or plural cooling surfaces provided on the inner sides of the container receiving portion and which cooperate with evaporators. Advantageously, the cooling device is also connected to the control unit. This allows the user to conveniently set the desired temperature as required.

In order to ensure complete mixing of fruit juice components and water and uniform cooling of the beverage and to avoid sedimentation of fruit pulp in the case of unfiltered beverages, a stirrer is provided which will stir the beverage when it is kept in stock. Preferably, a magnetic stirrer is used for this purpose, which has a driven rotating magnet usually mounted underneath the beverage storage container in the housing that will cause at least one small magnetic bar immersed in the beverage to move around in the latter. Advantageously, the one or plural magnetic bar(s) can be introduced into a recess provided in the beverage storage container together with the concentrate. In such a device, the danger of contamination of the container contents is minimal.

Preferably, the beverage dispenser is operated using a dispensing system and a dispensing opening of the beverage storage container which cooperates with the dispensing system. A negative pressure, preferably a vacuum, will then be applied to the beverage storage container after the latter has been inserted and locked in the device. This has the advantage that germs and dust or dirt particles will be prevented from entering the dispenser during the time the beverage is merely stocked in the container.

It is advantageous if gas, in particular air, is supplied to the beverage storage container when the dispensing system is opened. On the one hand, this allows the amount of air supplied to be used to control the dispensed amount of beverage, and the air supply rate to be used to control the beverage dispensing speed. On the other hand, the danger of contamination of the contents during dispensing can be diminished for example by providing the air supply means or by installing an appropriate filtering device.

In one aspect of the invention, data relating to the contents of the beverage storage container is read in or entered which data is used to determine whether dispensing of the beverage via the dispensing system should be enabled or whether the dispensing system should be disabled, if necessary. This solution offers various options for preventing dispenser manipulation. An authorized user may for example directly determine the maximum dispensing period for the beverage, or use a scanner to read such data, for example from a barcode on the beverage packaging.

Preferably, data entered via a data entry means cooperating with a control unit is for example: the quantity of water to be supplied with regard to a product contained in the beverage storage container (concentrate), the insertion time of the beverage storage container, and/or product-specific data such as use-by date, required cooling temperature or required stirring speed. This allows the entire stocking and dispensing process, from the time the product is placed in the device until the end of the dispensing period, to be automated.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the control unit for disabling the dispensing of a beverage controls the pump in order to generate a negative pressure in the container. In this way, without any additional mechanical blocking device, dispensing of a beverage can be prevented in a simple way by means of the control unit if the use-by date of the product has expired or when an attempt at manipulating the dispenser has been detected, for example, as described below.

In a preferred embodiment, a control unit controls the pump and a valve on the basis of the measured data detected by a first sensor for determining the quantity of water supplied to the beverage storage container and on the basis of the measured data detected by a second sensor for determining the fill level of the beverage storage container, and on the basis of the data input and/or the data stored in the control unit, so as to either disable or enable dispensing of the beverage. This allows the detection of technical problems or manipulation attempts. If in particular when fruit juice concentrate is used, and it is known from data input or stored in the control unit which product is being used and which filling quantity needs to be contained in a new container, it can then be determined, by a comparison with data determined by the first and second sensors regarding water supplied and final filling level, whether the correct filling quantity is present in the container. If this is the case, dispensing will be enabled. If the actual filling quantity differs from the calculated filling quantity, then there is either a technical problem, e.g. regarding fresh water supply, or somebody for example tried to use a beverage storage container that was filled manually and not by the manufacturer as specified. As this does not comply with the high hygiene requirements for the present device and method, dispensing of the beverage will be disabled in the latter case. Scanning a manufacturing code of the product contained in the beverage storage container will allow the use of the beverage dispenser to be restricted, i.e. in order to exclude the use of competitive products.

In a preferred embodiment, the beverage dispenser has the above mentioned features according to a first aspect of the invention.

Further advantages, features and possible applications of the present invention may be gathered from the description which follows, in which reference is made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings.

Throughout the description, the claims and the drawings, those terms and associated reference signs are used as are listed in the list of reference signs which follows below. In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a sectional lateral view of the beverage dispenser;

Fig. 2 is a schematic lateral cross-sectional view of the beverage dispenser which more clearly shows the air and water supply, with a schematic view of the control unit;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the dispensing system;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the beverage dispenser; and

Fig. 5 is a block diagram which illustrates the process flow of the beverage dispenser.

Fig. 1 is a sectional lateral view of a beverage dispenser 10 having a housing 12 and a beverage storage container 14. The beverage storage container 14 is introduced into a container receiving portion 15 via a housing opening 13 at the front of the beverage dispenser 10. The housing opening 13 can be closed by means of a door 18, likewise provided on the front, which door 18 is equipped with product lighting and a level indicator 20 and can be folded down. An electromechanical locking device 22 provided at the top of the front of the beverage dispenser 10 is used to secure the freely movable end of the door on the housing 12.

The base surface of the container receiving portion 15 is designed as a guide 48 and slopes slightly upwards in the insertion direction. This will cause the top of the beverage storage container 14 which includes a container opening 17 to move slightly upwards as the beverage storage container 14 is inserted into the container receiving portion 15. As a result, its rear part will abut on the top of the container receiving portion once the beverage storage container 14 has been fully inserted. In addition, the front part of the beverage storage container 14 which faces the housing opening 13 has a ramp 40 formed on its underside. As the beverage storage container 14 is inserted, the ramp 40 will first pass a projection 24 formed on the inner side of the door 18 adjacent to the underside of the housing opening 13. The projection 24 serves to lift the part of the beverage storage container 14 which faces the front of the beverage dispenser 10 so as to facilitate its insertion. In the fully inserted state, the part of the beverage storage container 14 which faces the front will be lifted to such an extent due to the ramp 40 resting on the base 19 that the container opening 17 will also be pressed to the top of the container receiving portion 15 in this area. The sealing effect obtained by means of this pressing mechanism is further enhanced by a container seal 16 attached to an upper edge of the beverage storage container 14.

Provided in the base of the beverage storage container 14 is a recess 49 in which at least one magnetic bar has been placed which is moved by a stirrer 50 in the form of a magnetic stirrer so as to constantly mix the beverage.

Evaporators 56 mounted on the inner sides of the container receiving portion 15 form cooling surfaces which act to cool the beverage storage container 14 and the beverage contained therein. Together with the evaporators 56, a compressor 52 and a heat exchanger 54 constitute the cooling device of the beverage dispenser 10. The evaporators 56, the compressor and the heat exchanger 54 are interconnected in a known manner by means of suitable lines. To support the cooling device, insulation 26 is furthermore provided around the container receiving portion 15.

In the following text, in the context of the beverage dispenser and its associated method of operation, the term “vacuum” is used in connection with a state, in general with components such as pumps, lines etc. The term “vacuum” shall be understood to designate a negative pressure with respect to ambient pressure, which vacuum, however, may also be a rough vacuum of between -300 and 1 hPa, a fine vacuum of between 1 and 10-3 hPa, a high vacuum (HV) of between 10-3 and 10-7 hPa, an ultra high vacuum (UHV) of between 10 7 and 10'12 hPa, an extremely high vacuum (XHV) of < 10-12 hPA, or an ideal vacuum (IV). Depending on what is considered more efficient in this connection or depending on the customer’s needs, suitable negative pressure ranges are used. The higher the negative pressure, the less likely will be a contamination with germs through the residual gas in the beverage storage container. Fora simple design of the device, the vacuum pump and the vacuum lines merely need to be capable of ensuring a negative pressure relative to the ambient pressure, for high-grade designs, a rough vacuum or a fine vacuum etc will be required.

As viewed from the housing opening 13, a vacuum pump 60 is provided behind the container receiving portion 15, which pump can be used to generate a negative pressure in the inserted beverage storage container 14 by means of a vacuum line 64 that opens into the container receiving portion 15, so as to further enhance the sealing effect described above.

Fig. 2 is a lateral cross-sectional view of the beverage dispenser 10 which in particular illustrates in more detail how the beverage dispenser 10 is supplied with air and water. As already explained above, a negative pressure can be generated by the vacuum pump 60 via the vacuum line 64 opening into the container receiving portion 15. However, to be able to dispense the beverage, such negative pressure will have to be momentarily removed. For this purpose, an air supply duct 66 is connected to the vacuum pump 60 via a valve 62 and can be used to introduce air. To prevent germs or dirt particles from entering the beverage storage container 14 in this way and contaminating the beverage, an activated carbon filter 68 is installed in the air supply duct 66. The vacuum pump 60 and the valve 62 are connected to a dispensing lever 30 via a control unit 80. Operating the dispensing lever 30 thus serves as a signal for momentarily removing the negative pressure by introducing in air, which signal is transferred from the control unit 80 to the vacuum pump 60 and the valve 62. At the end of the dispensing step, the control unit 80 will activate the vacuum pump 60 and the valve 62 so as to generate a negative pressure in the beverage storage container 14.

The control unit 80 is furthermore connected to a water supply device which is provided for supplying fresh water for mixing with beverage concentrates in the beverage storage container 14. The water supply device comprises a water line 74 which opens into the container receiving portion 15. The water line 74 can be selectively fed from a water connection 78 that can be connected to a fixed water supply, or from a water inlet 72 that can be connected to a water container. A valve 76 connected to the control unit 80 is provided for selecting the water source. Unlike in the case of a fixed water supply, there may not be sufficient line pressure for supplying water to the beverage storage container 14 when a water container is used as a water supply. For this reason, the beverage dispenser 10 has a pressurized water pump 70 which is connected to the control unit 80.

Also connected to the control unit 80 is a water flow sensor 82 provided in the water line 74 and a filling level sensor 84 provided in the container receiving portion 15. These two sensors can be used to determine the quantity of water supplied as well as the actual filling level in the beverage storage container 14. How this data is used will be explained below with reference to Fig. 5.

Lastly, a barcode reader 42 for reading product-specific data but also a manufacturer’s code from a bar code on the beverage packaging is provided. The barcode reader 42 is connected to a control unit 80. This allows the essential components of the beverage dispenser 10, in particular the vacuum pump 60, the valve 62, the valve 76, the stirrer 50 and the electromechanical locking device 22, to be controlled on the basis of the product-specific data. The control process is explained in detail with reference to Fig. 5.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the dispensing system. A dispensing lever 30 which is hollow on the inside is provided for outputting the stored beverage. Part of this lever 30 extends into the beverage storage dispenser 14 when the beverage dispenser 10 is closed and has the beverage storage container 14 inserted therein. On the side of the container, the dispensing lever 30 has a dispensing opening 32 and a closure 46 which latter is surrounded by a seal 34.

When the dispensing lever 30 is pressed in, the beverage will flow into the dispensing opening 32 and on to the dispensing lever 30, and will ultimately be discharged through a dispensing tap 28 into a drinking vessel or the like which is not shown here for the sake of clarity. An exciter 36 mounted on the underside of the dispensing lever is arranged such that it will be positioned above a switch 38 when the dispensing lever 30 is depressed. In this position, the exciter 36 activates the switch 38 during dispensing. The switch 38 is connected to the control unit 80. A signal from the activated switch 38 will be transferred to the control unit 80 which will cause the vacuum pump 60 to remove the negative pressure during dispensing so as to allow the beverage to be dispensed conveniently.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the beverage dispenser with its door 18 closed. Above the barcode reader 42, there is a display 44 indicating relevant operational data such as the temperature of the stored beverage or the end of the dispensing period.

Mounted on the top of the housing 12 is a lock 46 for mechanically locking the door 18. A drip tray 25 is provided beneath the dispensing lever 30 on which a drinking vessel can be placed when the beverage is being dispensed. Furthermore, the drip tray 25 can be used to collect small amounts of the beverage which are spilled during dispensing or drip off between dispensing operations.

Fig. 5 is a schematic view of a preferred method for operating the beverage dispenser 10. After the start (step 100) the beverage storage container 14 is inserted in the container receiving portion 15 (step 102). Subsequently, a keypad (not shown for reasons of clarity) is used to enter an access code (step 104) which requires verification by the control unit 80 in a verification step (step 106). In case the access code has not been entered correctly, the user is prompted to re-enter the code (step 104). It is both possible to repeat steps 104 and 106 until the correct access code has been entered, or to disable the beverage dispenser 10 (step 126) after a predetermined number of false entries (step 104). Once the access code has been verified, product-specific data on the product packaging is read by means of the barcode reader 42 (step 108). For this purpose, a prompt may be indicated on the display 44, if necessary. Based on the data read, the use-by date is first of all verified (step 110). If it is found that the product to be dispensed has exceeded its use-by date, the control unit 80 will block the system (step 126). This may for example be performed by causing the vacuum pump 60 to generate and maintain a negative pressure in the beverage storage container 14 so as to prevent the beverage from being dispensed. This terminates the process (step 128).

After verification of the use-by date, a distinction is made whether the product to be dispensed is a beverage concentrate or a ready-to-drink beverage (step 112). In the case of a beverage concentrate, the required quantity of water will be added (step 114). Subsequently, the amount of the container contents is determined on the basis of data detected by the liquid level sensor 84 (step 116) .Then it is verified (step 118) whether the quantity of the container contents is identical to the target quantity. Information on the target quantity is contained in the product-specific data read beforehand and can be supplemented with the data detected by the water flow sensor 82 regarding the quantity of water added in case a beverage concentrate was mixed with water. If the actual filling quantity of the beverage storage container 14 diverges from the stored data or the computed target quantity, then the result of the verification in step 118 will be negative and it is concluded that there is either a technical defect or a manipulation attempt. The dispenser will thus be disabled 126 immediately, as described above. This terminates the process (step 128).

Lastly, the temperature in the beverage storage container 14 is measured (step 120) at intervals determined by the user or ideally specified in the product-specific data read in. Temperatures exceeding a certain tolerance threshold will be stored in the control unit 80 and indicated on the display 44, for example upon entry of an access code. If higher temperatures are measured in several instances, the control unit 80 furthermore computes (step 121) a new maximum dispensing period for the beverage based on parameters retrieved from the product-specific data and for example causes a warning signal to be displayed on the display 44.

Otherwise dispensing will be enabled (step 122). For every dispensing process, the control unit 80 will verify (step 124) whether the dispensing period specified by the product-specific data has not yet expired. If this is the case, dispensing will again be enabled (step 122). However, if the dispensing period has expired and the result of the verification in step 124 is a negative one, the control unit 80 will disable dispensing (step 126). This terminates the process (step 128).

List of Reference Signs 10 beverage dispenser 12 housing 13 housing opening 14 beverage storage container 15 container receiving portion 16 container seal 17 container opening 18 door 20 product lighting with liquid level indicator 22 electromechanical locking device 24 projection for form-fit lifting 25 drip tray 28 dispensing tap 30 dispensing lever 32 dispensing opening 34 seal 36 exciter 38 switch 40 ramp 42 barcode reader 44 display 46 lock with contact 48 base, guide 49 recess 50 stirrer 52 compressor 54 heat exchanger 56 evaporator 60 vacuum pump 62 valve 64 vacuum line 66 air supply line 68 activated carbon filter 70 pressurized water pump 72 water inlet 74 water line 76 valve 78 water connection 80 control unit 82 water flow sensor 84 liquid level sensor 100 start 102 inserting the beverage storage container 104 entering the access code 106 verifying the access code 108 reading product-specific data 110 verifying the use-by date 112 distinction concentrate or ready-to-drink beverage 114 adding water 116 measuring the quantity contained in the container 118 verifying the correct amount 120 measuring the temperature 122 enabling dispensing of the beverage 124 verifying the output period 126 blocking dispensing 128 end

Claims (15)

A beverage dispenser for dispensing a beverage comprising a housing (12), at least one beverage supply container (14) in the form of an extension, at least one housing opening (13) and at least one container receiving device (15) for introducing the beverage supply container (14) in the housing (12) via the housing opening (13), wherein the beverage supply container (14) exhibits a container opening (17) above the maximum filling level of the beverage supply container (13), providing a pressing mechanism bringing a surface of the beverage supply container (14) comprising the container opening (17) in sealing systems with the associated wall of the container (12) of the housing (12), characterized in that the pressing mechanism exhibits a guide (48) extending from the housing opening (13) towards the insertion unit of the beverage supply container (14) to the container receiving device (14). 15) and rises so that the guide (48) in the inserted state in the rear region holds the beverage supply container (14) against the container receiving device ( 15) a ceiling, and the pressing mechanism exhibits ramp (40) in the front area of the beverage supply container (14), which is designed so that the beverage supply container (14) is fully displaced against the ceiling of the container receiving device (15), whereby the beverage supply container (14) is introduced. the rear region condition rests on the guide (48) and in the forward region of the ramp (40), the ramp (40) being an integral component of the beverage supply container (14). Drink dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that the guide (48) is formed by the bottom of the container receiving device (15). Drink dispenser according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one seal (16) and at least one pump (60) are provided and that the pump (60) can be connected to the container opening (17) via a conduit (64), so that the beverage supply container (14) in the inserted state of the drink supply container (14) and by activated press mechanism via the pump (60) can be actuated by a negative pressure. Drink dispenser according to claim 3, characterized in that a valve (62) is inserted into the conduit (64) which, upon actuation of the pump (60) connects the beverage supply container (14) to the pump (14) and activates the delivery system with a into blow air line (66). Drink dispenser according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a water conduit (74) is provided for introducing water into the drinking supply container (14) which is connected in the state of the drinking supply container (14) to the container opening (17). Drink dispenser according to claim 5, characterized in that a water pump (70) connected to the water line (74) is provided which can be connected to a water container. Drink dispenser according to claim 6, characterized in that a valve (76) is provided in the water line (74) which optionally establishes a connection with the water pump (70) and the water connection (78). Drink dispenser according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a first sensor (82) connected to a control unit (80) is provided, with which the amount of water supplied to the drinking supply container (14) is measured. Drink dispenser according to claim 8, characterized in that a second sensor (84) connected to the control unit (80) is provided, which measures the filling level of the drink supply container (14). A method of operating a beverage dispenser for dispensing a beverage according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the beverage dispenser exhibits a dispensing system and dispensing opening (32) which cooperates with the dispensing system and is inserted into the beverage dispensing container (14), characterized in that: insertion (102) and locking of the beverage supply vessel (14) under pressure, especially vacuum. Process according to claim 10, characterized in that, with the opening of the dispensing system, gas is supplied to the beverage supply vessel (14) and a pump (60) which produces the suppressed is inactive. Method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that data relating to the contents of the beverage container (14) is input via a data input means (42) cooperating with a controller (80), or data loading means cooperating with a controller (80), and which determines whether a delivery via the delivery system is possible and, if so, blocks the delivery system. Method according to claim 12, characterized in that, as data is entered via the data loading means (42): a manufacturer code for the product introduced into the beverage supply container (14), the amount of water to be supplied with respect to one in the beverage supply container ( 14) being the product, the time of introduction of the beverage supply container (14) and / or product-specific data such as durability, required cooling temperature and / or the required speed of rotation of a stirrer (50) in the beverage. Method according to claim 13, characterized in that a control unit (80), depending on stored and / or entered data for blocking the delivery of beverages, controls the pump (60) for establishing a negative pressure in the beverage supply vessel (14). Method according to claim 14, characterized in that, depending on the measurement data, calculated by a first sensor (82) for calculating the amount of a water supply to the beverage supply container (14) and a second sensor (84) for calculating the filling level in the beverage supply container. (14), and via the data stored and / or stored in the control unit (80), the control unit (80) controls the pump (60) and a valve (62) so that the delivery of the drink is blocked or released.