EP3853542B1

EP3853542B1 - A cooling device comprising a beverage dispenser

Info

Publication number: EP3853542B1
Application number: EP19752138.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Faik Emre Ozyuksel; Hamdi GUNDOGAN; Metin Kaya; Esat Eray SAMILOGLU; Nil BAYRAK; Elif CAVUS; Gizem KOCKAYA; Bugra GUCLU
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2018-09-19
Filing date: 2019-07-31
Publication date: 2023-04-12
Anticipated expiration: 2039-07-31
Also published as: EP3853542A1; WO2020057838A1

Description

The present invention relates to a cooling device comprising a beverage dispenser.
In cooling devices, for example in some refrigerators, water dispensers are disposed, which enable the user to receive water. In some embodiments, beverages which are filled into a receptacle provided in the cooling device so as to be cooled are served to the user by means of a tap disposed on the door on the outer surface of the cooling device. In some embodiments, the tap is disposed on the surface of the door facing the interior of the cooling device and the beverage is served to the user after the door is opened. In both embodiments, a container such as a glass which is required to be filled actuates a mechanical or electronic trigger so as to open a valve controlling the liquid flow, thus the beverage is filled into the container via the tap. As the container moved away from the trigger, the valve closes, and the liquid flow from the receptacle to the tap is stopped. The receptacle containing therein the beverage to be cooled generally comprises a cover, and the user detaches this cover and fills therein the desired beverage, then closes the cover again. In general even in cases where the water dispenser is not used, said receptacle is not detached and occupies a large volume in the cooling device. This prevents the user from efficiently using the inner volume of the cooling device.
In the state of the art, the users sometimes fill various beverages such as milk, fruit juice, etc. into said water dispensers so as to supply said beverages via the water dispenser. After the package of beverages such as milk, etc. is opened and the beverage gets in contact with air, the storage life thereof in a fresh manner in the cooling device significantly decreases. Such beverages get in contact with the outer environment while the packages thereof are opened and the beverages are filled into the receptacle. This causes the storage lives of said beverages to be shortened. Moreover, in order for said beverages to remain fresh, the receptacle must be clean at least as much as the interior of the beverage package. Therefore, when a beverage such as milk, etc. other than water is desired to be filled into the receptacle, the user must deeply clean the interior of the receptacle in order for the beverage to remain fresh for a certain time. Similarly, in case beverages with different tastes and smells are filled into the receptacle, the receptacle must be deeply cleaned in order to remove any taste or smell.
In addition to all the above, in state of the art embodiments, while the beverage in the receptacle is emptied via the tap, air is allowed to enter the receptacle. Moreover, the covers of the receptacles are not airtight, and allow the air to enter the receptacle. The air entry into the receptacle causes the lifetime of the beverages such as milk, etc. in said receptacle to be significantly shortened.
In the state of the art Turkish Patent Document No. TR2011/13313 , a cooling device is disclosed, having a water dispenser. The preamble of claim 1 of the present invention is disclosed by US2005/173453A1 .
The aim of the present invention is the realization of a cooling device comprising a beverage dispenser wherein the beverages can be served in their own packages without shortening the lifetime thereof.
The cooling device realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof comprises at least one receptacle which is disposed on the surface of the door facing the interior of the body and which has a structure suitable for a package containing beverage to be placed therein; and a beverage dispenser positioned on the door and having a hollow tube with two ends one of which is suitable to extend into the receptacle so as to pierce the package placed into the receptacle and to enter the package through the pierced point, at least one valve which is disposed at the end of the tube opposite to the end extending into the receptacle and which allows the flow of beverage from inside the package or prevents said flow, at least one tap which is connected to the end of the valve not connected to the tube and which enables the beverage to the served while the valve is in the position to allow the flow of beverage, and at least one actuation member which is connected to the valve and which, when a force is applied thereon, triggers the valve to shift to the open position such that the valve allows the flow of beverage. The user places a package for example carton box or nylon bag containing a beverage for example fruit juice or milk which is placed into the receptacle and applies a force thereon so as to enable the end of the tube located in the receptacle to pierce the package and enter the package. When the user wants to fill the beverage in the package into a container such as glass, etc., he/she positions the glass under the tap and moves the actuation member by applying force onto the actuation member. The actuation member which moves with the applied force moves the valve, which is in the closed position, and changes the same to the open position. By means of the pressure formed in the package due to the weight of the beverage in the package, the beverage flows through the tube and reaches the tap via the valve and then is served into the glass via the tap. When the user stops the force applied onto the actuation member, the actuation member returns to the initial position, that is the position before the force is applied, and enables the valve to change to the closed position which prevents the flow of beverage via the tap. Thus, without opening the beverage package and to empty the beverage therein into the receptacle, the user places the package directly into the receptacle and is enabled to access the beverage in the package by means of the beverage dispenser. Moreover, since the package is not opened and the beverage in the package is not filled into the receptacle, the beverage is prevented from getting into contact with air, thus the lifetime of the beverage is not shortened.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the receptacle is provided with a hole thereon which has a structure allowing the tube to pass therethrough such that the end of the tube suitable for piercing the package and entering the package via the pierced point extends into the receptacle. By enabling the tube provided in the beverage dispenser to be passed through the hole so as to extend into the receptacle, the need for producing the receptacle and beverage dispenser as integrated with each other is eliminated, and thus by producing the receptacle and the beverage dispenser separately and afterwards connecting said components on the cooling device, ease of production and assembly is provided.
In an embodiment of the present invention, a volume which narrows down from the inlet towards the base is defined in the receptacle. In other words, the cross-sectional area of the inlet of the receptacle is larger than the cross-sectional area of the base of the receptacle. In an exemplary embodiment, the receptacle is in the form of a hollow truncated cone or trapezoid wherein the short edge of the parallel edges thereof defines the base and the long edge defines the inlet. Thus, while the package can be easily inserted through the receptacle inlet, the package is enabled to get stuck, while being moved towards the base, due to the narrowing volume of the receptacle such that the pressure in the package increases. Thus, the flow of beverage from inside the package to the tube is facilitated and the air is prevented from entering the package via the tube thanks to the increasing pressure in the package, thus preventing the beverage from getting into contact with air and the lifetime thereof from being shortened.
According to the present invention, the beverage dispenser comprises at least one wedge which is disposed in the receptacle and which wedges the package placed into the receptacle. The wedge occupies a certain volume in the receptacle and causes the receptacle to narrow down at the area where the wedge is positioned, and thus the package placed into the receptacle is wedged such that the pressure therein increases. Thus, the flow of beverage from inside the package to the tube is facilitated and the air is prevented from entering the package via the tube thanks to the increasing pressure in the package, thus preventing the beverage from getting into contact with air and the lifetime thereof from being shortened.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the surface, which contacts the package, of the wedge disposed in the receptacle is inclined. The wedge is preferably in the form of a triangle of which the surface contacting the package is inclined. By means of the inclined surface of the wedge, the package is enabled to be slid on the inclined surface so as to be easily placed into the gap between the walls of the receptacle.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the beverage dispenser comprises two wedges which are oppositely disposed into the receptacle so as to define a gap therebetween. The package is placed into the gap in between the two wedges, and the package is enabled to be wedged from both sides. Thus, by increasing the pressure in the package even more, the flow of beverage from inside the package to the tube is facilitated and the air is prevented from entering the package via the tube thanks to the increasing pressure in the package, thus preventing the beverage from getting into contact with air and the lifetime thereof from being shortened.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the receptacle is in the form of a gap arranged on the shelf. By providing the receptacle in the form of a gap on the shelf which is already present in the cooling device, the receptacle is prevented from occupying extra space in the body and the need for an extra step for producing the receptacle and for mounting the same to the cooling device is eliminated, thus providing cost advantage.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the beverage dispenser comprises at least one plug which is in connection with the valve and which enables the end of the tube facing the valve to be closed. Said plug is preferably in the form of a pin. While the valve is triggered by the actuation member and shifts from the closed position to the open position, the plug, which closes the end of the tube, moves to a position which allows the end of the tube to be opened together with the valve. Thus, when the valve is in the closed position, in other words when the flow of the beverage in the package is not allowed, the plug closes the end of the tube facing the valve and prevents the beverage from flowing through the tube so as to reach the valve and from the valve to the tap, thereby preventing the beverage from flowing outside via the tap unnecessarily. Moreover, by means of the plug, the air is prevented from entering the tube and said air is prevented from passing from the tube into the package due to the decreasing pressure depending on the amount of beverage in the package.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the cooling device comprises a recess which is arranged on the surface of the door facing outside the body, in other words on the surface opposite to the surface whereon the receptacle and the shelf are positioned, and wherein the actuation member and the tap are disposed. Thus, the user is enabled to access the beverage in the package cooled in the cooling device without opening the door of the cooling device, and the cooling efficiency of the cooling device is prevented from decreasing due to the ambient air which may enter the cooling device with the opening of the door.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the receptacle is configured to store a package, which is in the form of a box comprising at least one flap, as made flexible by opening the flap. Thus, by making the box-shaped package flexible, the package can be wedged such that the inner pressure thereof increases, and the air is prevented from entering the package through the tube while the beverage in the package flows into the tube, and thereby, the beverage in the package is prevented from getting in contact with the air such that the lifetime thereof is not shortened.
By means of the present invention, the packages containing beverages such as fruit juice, milk, etc. are enabled to be directly placed into the receptacle such that the package is pierced in the receptacle and the beverage in the package is accessed via the beverage dispenser.. Thus, by eliminating the need for opening the package and emptying the beverage into the receptacle, the beverage is prevented from getting in contact with the air such that the lifetime thereof is not shortened.
The cooling device realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:

Figure 1 - is the perspective view of the cooling device of the present invention.
Figure 2 - is the perspective view of the cooling device of the present invention from another angle.
Figure 3 - is the perspective view of the door in the cooling device of the present invention.
Figure 4 - is the perspective view of the door in the cooling device of the present invention from another angle.
Figure 5 - is the view of detail A in Figure 4.

The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

1. Cooling device
2. Body
3. Door
4. Shelf
5. Receptacle
6. Tube
7. Valve
8. Actuation member
9. Beverage dispenser
10. Hole
11. Wedge
12. Plug
13. Recess
P. Package
E. Flap

The cooling device (1) comprises a body (2); at least one door (3) which prevents or allows access into the body (2); at least one shelf (4) which is disposed onto the surface of the door (3) facing the interior of the body (2). Foodstuffs or beverages to be cooled in the cooling device (1) are placed into the body (2), and the door (3) prevents the ambient air from entering the body (2) in order to provide an efficient cooling in the body (2). The user opens the door (3) if necessary and access the interior of the body (2). Generally beverage packages (P) in forms such as carton box, nylon bag, etc. and small-sized foodstuffs such as egg, etc. are placed into the shelf (4) disposed on the surface of the door (3) facing the interior of the body (2).
The cooling device (1) of the present invention comprises at least one receptacle (5) which is disposed on the surface of the door (3) facing the interior of the body (2) and which allows a package (P) containing beverage to be placed therein; and a beverage dispenser (9) positioned on the door (3) and having a hollow tube (6) with two ends one of which is configured to pierce the package (P) placed into the receptacle (5) and to enter the package (P), at least one valve (7) which is disposed at the end of the tube (6) which does not enter the package (P) and which controls the flow of beverage in the package (P), at least one tap (not shown in figures) which is disposed at the end of the valve (7) not connected to the tube (6) and which enables the beverage in the package (P) to the served, and at least one actuation member (8) which is connected to the valve (7) and which triggers and thus opens the valve (7) such that the beverage in the package (P) can be served via the tap. By pressing onto the tube (6) a package (P), for example carton box or nylon bag containing a beverage for example fruit juice or milk which is placed into the receptacle (5), the end of the tube (6) positioned in the receptacle (5) is enabled to pierce the package (P) such that the tube (6) enters the package (P). In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the end of tube (6) which pierces the package (P) so as to enter the package (P) has a pointed structure. When the user wants to fill the beverage in the package (P) for example into a glass, the user applies force onto the actuation member (8). The actuation member (8) moves with the force applied by the user and enables the valve (7), to which the actuation member (8) is connected, to open. Thus, by means of the pressure generated by the weight of the beverage in the package (P), the beverage flows first from the package (P) into the tube (6) and then to the tap via the valve (7) so as to be filled into the glass via the tap. When the user stops the force applied onto the actuation member (8), the actuation member (8) returns to its initial position, and the valve (7) shifts to the closed position, and in this case the flow of beverage is cut off by the valve (7). Thus, without requiring the user to open the beverage package (P) which is already bought and to fill the same into the receptacle (5), he/she directly places the package (P) into the receptacle (5), and the beverage in the package (P) can be accessed via the beverage dispenser (9). Moreover, by eliminating the need for filling the beverage into the receptacle (5) from the package (P), the beverage is prevented from getting into contact with air during said process such that the lifetime thereof is not shortened.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the receptacle (5) is provided with at least one hole (10) thereon which allows the tube (6) to pass therethrough. During the assembly of the beverage dispenser (9), the end of the tube (6) which is suitable for piercing the package (P) and entering through the pierced point is passed through the hole (10) so as to reach the interior of the receptacle. Thus, the beverage dispenser (9) and the receptacle (5) are not required to be produced as integrated with each other, and thereby, the connection of the beverage dispenser (9) to the receptacle (5) is quickly and easily realized.
In an embodiment of the present invention, a volume which narrows down from the inlet, through which the package (P) is inserted, towards the base is defined in the receptacle (5). The package (P) is placed into said volume and is wedged thanks to the narrowing structure of the volume such that the pressure in the package (P) increases. Thus, the beverage in the package (P) is enabled to easily flow through the tube (6) thanks to the increasing pressure, and while the beverage is served via the tap, the air is prevented from entering the package (P) through the end of the tube (6) connected to the valve (7) as the pressure in the package (P) increases. Consequently, the beverage in the package (P) is prevented from getting in contact with air such that the lifetime thereof is not shortened.
According to the present invention, the beverage dispenser (9) comprises at least one wedge (11) which is disposed at the base of the receptacle (5) and which wedges the package (P) placed into the receptacle (5). Thus, as the wedge (11) occupies a volume in the receptacle (5) so as to narrow down the volume of the receptacle (5), the package (P) placed into the receptacle (5) is wedged and hence the pressure in the package (P) is increased. Consequently, the beverage in the package (P) is enabled to easily flow through the tube (6) with the increasing pressure. Moreover, with the pressure in the package (P) increasing, while the beverage is served via the tap, the air is prevented from entering the package (P) through the end of the tube (6) connected to the valve (7) as the internal pressure of the package (P) increases. Consequently, the beverage in the package (P) is prevented from getting in contact with air such that the lifetime thereof is not shortened.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the surface, which contacts the package (P), of the wedge (11) is inclined. Thus, while being placed into the receptacle (5), the package (P) slides on the inclined surface of the wedge (11) such that the package (P) can be easily placed between the wedge (11) and the wall of the receptacle (5).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the beverage dispenser (9) comprises two wedges (11) which are oppositely positioned in the receptacle (5) with a certain distance therebetween. The package (P) is placed into the gap between the two wedges (11), and in this case the package (P) is wedged from both sides by the wedges (11) such that the pressure therein increases and the beverage in the package (P) easily flows through the tube (6) with the increasing pressure, while preventing the air from entering the package (P) through the tube (6).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the receptacle (5) is configured to be in the form of a gap arranged on at least one shelf (4). By positioning the receptacle (5) on the shelf (4) which is already present on the surface of the door (3) facing the interior of the body (2), the receptacle (5) is prevented from occupying extra space in the body (2) and the user is enabled to efFiciently use the interior volume of the body (2). Moreover, as the receptacle (5) is connected to the cooling device (1) with the mounting of the shelf (4) to the door (3), ease of assembly and cost advantage are provided.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the beverage dispenser (9) comprises at least one plug (12) which is connected to the valve (7) and which closes the end of the tube (6) connected to the valve (7) when the valve (7) is in the closed position. When the valve (7) is in the closed position, the plug (12) is positioned in front of the end of the tube (6) facing the valve (7) so as to close said end. As a force is applied onto the actuation member (8), the valve (7) moves and enables the plug (12) to open the end of the tube (6), and the beverage in the package (P) reaches to the valve through the tube (6) and from there to the tap to be served. Thus, by means of the plug (12) which closes the end of the tube (6) when the valve (7) is in the closed position, the beverage is prevented from reaching the tap via the valve (7) from the tube (6) and from flowing outside through the tap. Moreover, the air is prevented from entering the package (P) through the tube (6) as the pressure in the package (P) decreases depending on the amount of beverage in the package (P), thus the lifetime of the beverage in the package (P) is prevented from being shortened.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the cooling device (1) comprises a recess (13) which is arranged on the surface of the door (3) facing outside the body (2) and wherein the tap and the actuation member (8) are disposed. By positioning the tap and the actuation member (8) on the surface of the door (3) facing outside the body (2), the user is enabled to access the beverage in the package (P) without opening the door (3).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the receptacle (5) is configured to store a package (P), which is in the form of a box comprising at least one flap (E), as made flexible by opening the flap (E). By twisting thus opening the flap (E) of the package (P), which is in the form of a box having at least one flap (E), before being placed into the receptacle (5), and by squeezing and making the package (P) flexible such that the internal pressure thereof increased and then placing the same into the receptacle (5), the air is prevented from entering the package (P) through the tube (6) while the beverage in the package (P) flows through the tube (6). Thus, the beverage in the package (P) is prevented from getting in contact with air such that the lifetime thereof is not shortened.
By means of the present invention, the beverage packages (P) are directly placed into the receptacle (5) without being opened, and thus the beverage in the package can be accessed by means of the beverage dispenser (9). Moreover, by eliminating the need for opening the package (P) to access the beverage in the package (P), the beverage is prevented from getting into contact with air such that the lifetime thereof is not shortened.

Claims

A cooling device (1) comprising a body (2); at least one door (3) which prevents or allows access into the body (2); at least one shelf (4) which is disposed onto the surface of the door (3) facing the interior of the body (2), at least one receptacle (5) which is disposed on the surface of the door (3) facing the interior of the body (2) and which allows a package (P) containing beverage to be placed therein; and a beverage dispenser (9) positioned on the door (3) and having a hollow tube (6) with two ends one of which is configured to pierce the package (P) placed into the receptacle (5) and to enter the package (P), at least one valve (7) which is disposed at the end of the tube (6) which does not enter the package (P) and which controls the flow of beverage in the package (P), at least one tap which is disposed at the end of the valve (7) not connected to the tube (6) and which enables the beverage in the package (P) to be served, and at least one actuation member (8) which is connected to the valve (7) and which triggers and thus opens the valve (7) such that the beverage in the package (P) can be served via the tap characterized in that the beverage dispenser (9) comprises at least one wedge (11) which is disposed at the base of the receptacle (5) and occupies a volume in the receptacle (5) so as to narrow down the volume of the receptacle (5) and which wedges the package (P) placed into the receptacle (5)
A cooling device (1) as in Claim 1, characterized in that the receptacle (5) is provided with at least one hole (10) thereon allowing the tube (6) to pass therethrough.
A cooling device (1) as in Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the receptacle (5) defines a volume therein narrowing from the inlet, through which the package (P) is inserted, towards the base.
A cooling device (1) as in Claim 1, characterized in that the surface of the wedge (11) contacting the package (P) is inclined.
A cooling device (1) as in Claim 1 or 4, characterized in that the beverage dispenser (9) comprises two wedges (11) which are oppositely positioned in the receptacle (5) with a certain distance therebetween.
A cooling device (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized in that the receptacle (5) is configured to be in the form of a gap arranged on at least one shelf (4).
A cooling device (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized in that the beverage dispenser (9) comprises at least one plug (12) which is connected to the valve (7) and which closes the end of the tube (6) connected to the valve (7) when the valve (7) is in the closed position.
A cooling device (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by a recess (13) which is arranged on the surface of the door (3) facing outside the body (2) and wherein the tap and the actuation member (8) are disposed.