EP4304975A1

EP4304975A1 - Beverage preparation machine having a drive, and beverage preparation system

Info

Publication number: EP4304975A1
Application number: EP22713654.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Gabriel Stösser
Original assignee: Freezio AG
Current assignee: Freezio AG
Priority date: 2021-03-11
Filing date: 2022-03-11
Publication date: 2024-01-17
Also published as: JP2024510749A; CN117083240A; KR20230144609A; IL304831A; WO2022189622A1; CA3207606A1; US20240124289A1; AU2022231892A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a beverage preparation machine (1) for preparing a beverage by means of a cartridge system consisting of a cartridge (7), which has a beverage substance in a reservoir (8), and of a cartridge receptacle (11) which is connected to the cartridge (7) and has a mixing chamber, at least one fluid supply and a beverage outlet, wherein the beverage preparation machine (1) comprises a main unit (2) and a cartridge holder (3) which protrudes from the main unit (2) and is in particular designed like a balcony, wherein the cartridge holder (3) is designed such that the cartridge system can be inserted into it, wherein the cartridge holder (3) comprises an actuator element (14) for operating a cartridge discharging device of the cartridge system, wherein the main unit (2) comprises a liquid reservoir (4), a liquid conditioning system for conditioning a liquid from the liquid reservoir (4), in particular for controlling the temperature of and/or carbonating the liquid, a fluid supply system for introducing the conditioned liquid and/or pressurised air into the cartridge system, and a control device for controlling the liquid conditioning system and/or the fluid supply system, wherein the main unit (2) and/or the cartridge holder (3) comprises a drive for the actuator element (14).

Description

DESCRIPTION

title

Single drive beverage making machine and beverage making system

State of the art

The invention relates to a beverage preparation machine, in particular a dispenser, for preparing a beverage using a cartridge system consisting of a cartridge, which has a beverage substance in a reservoir, and a cartridge receptacle connected to the cartridge, which has a mixing chamber, at least one fluid supply and a beverage outlet.

Such dispensers are known in principle from the prior art, for example from EP 2 017221 A1 and WO 96/36556 A1, and are used to produce beverages from pre-portioned cartridges. The production of beverages with such cartridge systems is extremely convenient for the user, since he only has to insert a cartridge into the dispenser and initiate a start procedure. The dispenser then takes over the production of the drink in a fully automated manner, which means in particular that the food or drink substrate is mixed with a predetermined quantity of liquid, in particular cold and carbonated water, and is fed into a drinking vessel. In this way, mixed drinks in particular can be produced much more easily, quickly and with less effort for the user. The user can choose from a variety of different cartridges, so that he can produce different drinks as he likes.

The beverage preparation machine or the dispenser comprises a main unit and a cartridge holder protruding from the main unit, the cartridge holder being designed in such a way that the cartridge system can be inserted into it, the cartridge holder comprising an actuator element for actuating a cartridge discharge device of the cartridge system. The protruding cartridge holder makes it difficult to actuate the actuator element mechanically, since the cartridge holder usually has little installation space, in particular for moving elements. The mechanism for actuating the actuator element must be simple and reliable with the changing cartridge holders of the cartridge system interaction. So far, however, no suitable solutions are known from the prior art.

Disclosure of Invention

It was therefore the object of the present invention to provide a beverage preparation machine that meets these requirements. In particular, a simple and reliable actuation of the actuator element should be made possible. At the same time, the dispenser should offer a high level of operating convenience and be cost-effective to implement.

The object is achieved, inter alia, with a beverage preparation machine according to claim 1.

The statements relating to this subject of the present invention also apply equally to the other subjects of the present invention and vice versa.

The present invention relates to a beverage preparation machine, in particular a dispenser, for preparing a beverage using a cartridge system. Such a cartridge system intended for use in the beverage preparation machine according to the invention consists of a cartridge which has a beverage substance in a reservoir and a cartridge receptacle which is connected to the cartridge and has a mixing chamber, at least one fluid supply and a beverage outlet. The cartridge holder is preferably firmly connected, in particular non-rotatably, to the cartridge in a connection area. The cartridge has a cartridge opening which is particularly preferably closed off by means of a sealing element, for example a sealing foil, and is thereby fluidically separated from the mixing chamber. In order to transfer the beverage substance into the mixing chamber for beverage preparation, the cartridge holder includes a cartridge discharge device, which preferably includes a displaceable piercing spike that can penetrate the sealing foil and thereby establish a fluid connection between the reservoir and the mixing chamber.

The beverage preparation machine comprises a main unit, which preferably comprises a housing, and a cartridge holder protruding from the main unit, in particular designed like a balcony. Balcony-like preferably means that the cartridge holder protrudes laterally from the housing, ie in particular not in it Housing of the main unit is arranged, but is formed separately from this. The main unit also includes at least one liquid reservoir, a liquid conditioning system for conditioning a liquid from the liquid reservoir, in particular for tempering and/or carbonizing the liquid, a fluid supply system for introducing the conditioned liquid and/or compressed air into the cartridge system, and a control device for controlling the liquid conditioning system and/or the fluid delivery system. In particular, the liquid conditioning system and the fluid supply system are particularly preferably arranged at least partially in the housing of the main unit. The main unit and/or the cartridge holder particularly preferably has at least one operating element, which a user can use to initiate a beverage preparation process.

The cartridge holder is now designed such that the cartridge system can be replaced in the cartridge holder, in particular such that the cartridge system is held reversibly by the cartridge holder, the cartridge holder comprising an actuator element for actuating a cartridge discharge device of the cartridge system. The actuator element preferably comprises a movable element which, for example when activated, contacts and displaces the piercing spike in such a way that it severs the sealing element so that the beverage substance can be transferred from the reservoir into the mixing chamber.

According to the invention, it is now provided that the main unit and/or the cartridge holder includes a drive for the actuator element. The drive is preferably a manual drive and/or a motor, the drive being in particular a linear drive, a rotary drive and/or an oscillating drive. The drive enables simple and reliable activation of the actuator element in a particularly advantageous manner. In addition, the drive makes it possible, particularly in the case of a manual drive, to reduce the force that the user has to exert to actuate the cartridge discharge device. A manual drive should in particular be understood to mean that the user moves the actuator element directly or indirectly. If the user does not actuate the actuator element directly, he moves at least one control element in such a way that the movement, in particular purely mechanically, is based on a movement of the actuator element. If the drive is a motor, particularly convenient operation of the

Beverage preparation machine allows. For example, the user only has to insert the cartridge system into the cartridge holder and actuate a control element, whereupon the beverage preparation machine starts and/or carries out the beverage preparation process fully automatically. The control device is preferably also provided for controlling the drive, in particular the motor. In this case, the control device is particularly preferably provided to activate the motor and thus to actuate the actuator element. This advantageously makes it possible to control the process better and thus enable error-free beverage preparation, since the control device can optimally determine the point in time at which the cartridge discharge device is activated, in particular with regard to the conditioning and introduction of the liquid. Due to the fact that the control device can determine the point in time at which the cartridge discharge device is activated, an optimized control of all components is possible. In particular, it is particularly advantageous to prevent beverage substance from entering the lines of the beverage preparation machine and contaminating them and/or beverage substance escaping too early, ie possibly escaping from the cartridge system without mixing with the liquid. It is also possible to generate higher forces than can occur when a user operates the actuator element directly; in particular, forces of up to 30N can be generated by a drive.

According to a preferred embodiment, it is provided that the motor is an electric motor, a hydraulic motor, or a pneumatic motor. The beverage preparation machine preferably includes a connection to an external energy supply and/or an internal energy store, for example an accumulator. An electric motor can therefore advantageously be powered by the same source as the other components of the beverage preparation machine. In the case of a pneumatic motor, for example, air from an internal or external compressed air source can be used as the operating medium. In this way, the beverage preparation machine is designed to be particularly flexible and efficient.

According to a preferred embodiment, it is provided that the cartridge holder is essentially disc-shaped and preferably projects essentially horizontally from the main unit, the cartridge holder particularly preferably having an essentially circular recess into which the cartridge system can be inserted. A storage area for drinking vessels is very particularly preferably provided below the cartridge holder, with the storage area in particular comprising a liquid collecting device. The disk-shaped design of the cartridge holder provides a visually appealing cartridge holder that requires little installation space. by the relative Alignment of the cartridge holder, in particular the recess, and the storage area makes it possible for the beverage to flow directly from the cartridge receptacle of the cartridge system into the drinking vessel. The position of the cartridge holder from a support surface of the beverage preparation machine is particularly preferably arranged at a height which corresponds to 20-90% of the overall height of the beverage preparation machine, very particularly preferably 40-80%, even more preferably 50-70% and in particular essentially 60% .

According to a preferred embodiment, it is provided that the beverage preparation machine, in particular the cartridge holder and/or the main unit, has at least one operating element which can be actuated by a user and which is coupled to the drive, in particular via the control device. Provision is preferably made for the operating element to be a lever which can be pivoted, in particular, about a horizontally or vertically aligned axis. A lever represents a particularly simple and proven variant that can be operated intuitively by a user and, if necessary, can have a force-boosting effect via a corresponding mechanism, so that the user only has to exert a small amount of force and the actuator element still reliably actuates the cartridge discharge device.

According to a preferred embodiment it is provided that the cartridge holder has at least one locking means which is provided to reversibly lock the cartridge system in the cartridge holder, wherein the locking means can be transferred from an unlocked position to a locked position and vice versa. The locking means can preferably be transferred from the unlocked position to the locked position by the operating element. The operating element particularly preferably comprises a hand lever. Such a hand lever can be pivoted about a vertical axis by a user, for example, preferably in an angular range of 10 to 180 degrees, particularly preferably in an angular range of 40-120 degrees, in particular in an angular range of approximately 90 degrees. The user inserts the cartridge system into the cartridge holder and actuates the hand lever, as a result of which the locking means is transferred to the locked position. The angular position of the hand lever is advantageously easy for the user to see whether the locking means is in the locked or unlocked position.

According to a preferred embodiment it is provided that Beverage preparation machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the beverage preparation machine, in particular the control device, is configured such that the actuator element and/or the drive can only be activated when the locking element is in the locked position. This advantageously avoids damage to the beverage preparation machine. Particularly preferably, the locking element can only be transferred into the locked position when the cartridge system is correctly inserted. This prevents the liquid from entering the cartridge receptacle correctly and the actuator element is arranged relative to the cartridge discharge device in such a way that correct actuation of the latter is possible.

According to a preferred embodiment, it is provided that the drive is connected to the actuator element via a deflection mechanism, with the deflection mechanism preferably comprising a transmission gear and/or a transmission lever. This makes it possible in an advantageous manner that, on the one hand, the position and direction of movement of the drive is largely independent of the position and direction of movement of the actuator element, which enables more flexible positioning of the drive, and that, on the other hand, a force amplification can be implemented, so that the drive can be dimensioned smaller than would be required for a direct actuation of the actuator element and/or the cartridge discharge device. The deflection mechanism, in particular the transmission gear, is preferably provided in such a way that a rotary movement of the hand lever about the vertical axis of rotation is translated into a relative translational movement of the actuator element and/or the cartridge holder.

According to a preferred embodiment, it is provided that the actuator element is pivotable about at least one axis, in particular one that is arranged horizontally. The axis is preferably arranged in such a way that the actuator element executes a movement that is essentially in the form of an arc of a circle in order to actuate the cartridge discharge device, this movement taking place in particular essentially in a vertical direction. The axis is very particularly preferably arranged in the vicinity of the transition between the main unit and the cartridge holder. This advantageously enables activation of the actuator element despite the small amount of space available in the cartridge holder.

According to a preferred embodiment it is provided that the actuator element is arranged at least partially below the cartridge holder. This is particularly advantageous when the cartridge system is inserted into the cartridge holder from above in such a way that the cartridge discharge device is accessible from below the cartridge holder. In addition, the underside of the cartridge holder is generally not visible to the user when the beverage preparation machine is positioned normally, so that arranging the actuator element on the underside of the cartridge holder gives the beverage preparation machine a tidy overall appearance.

According to a preferred embodiment, it is provided that the actuator element is a rocker arm, the rocker arm having an upper contact surface for positive and/or non-positive interaction with the cartridge discharge device of the cartridge system. Preferably, the rocker arm is essentially elongate, in particular essentially rod-shaped. In particular when the tilting axis of the rocker arm is provided on the underside of the cartridge holder, the actuator element can thus be arranged at least partially on the underside of the cartridge holder, with the drive being able to be arranged in the main unit.

According to a preferred embodiment, it is provided that the beverage preparation machine includes a compressed air source, the compressed air source being provided for introducing compressed air into the cartridge system in cooperation with the fluid supply system. Preferably, the beverage preparation machine includes a source of compressed air located within the main unit. Alternatively or additionally, it is provided that the beverage preparation machine can be connected to an external compressed air supply. The beverage preparation machine particularly preferably has a coupling element, the coupling element having a compressed air line and a liquid line, the coupling element being particularly preferably reversibly coupleable to the fluid supply of the cartridge holder. This advantageously makes it possible for compressed air and liquid to be fed into the cartridge system at the same time in a reliable and reproducible manner. The compressed air is preferably introduced into the reservoir in order to transfer the beverage substance into the mixing chamber, where it mixes with the liquid introduced into the mixing chamber and is in particular conditioned, and the beverage is thus produced. In particular, the coupling element ensures that compressed air and liquid are fed into the cartridge holder in parallel and fluidically separated from one another. According to a preferred embodiment, it is provided that the beverage preparation machine, in particular the main unit, has an identifier detector for recognizing an identifier of the cartridge system. The identification detector is particularly preferably arranged at least partially above and/or behind the cartridge holder. The identification detector is particularly preferably arranged in a housing of the main unit. Even more preferably, the identifier detector is connected to the control device. This makes it possible in a particularly advantageous manner that an identifier of the cartridge system, in particular after attachment in the cartridge holder, is read and a control of the

Beverage preparation machine can be done depending on the detected information. For example, it can be provided that a beverage preparation process can only be started if positive identification information is read out and transmitted to the control device. Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable that the identifier detector detects at least one parameter for the beverage preparation and transmits it to the control device, with the control device preferably controlling the beverage preparation process, in particular the liquid conditioning system and/or the fluid supply system, in accordance with the detected parameters. Very particularly preferably, the identifier detector has an optical sensor, such as a CCD camera, which automatically reads the identifier, in particular the product identification identifier, when the cartridge system is inserted into the beverage preparation machine. Alternatively or additionally, the identifier detector has a magnetic and/or electrical sensor. Furthermore, it is possible for the beverage preparation machine to include a communication module in order to receive information relating to the beverage preparation and/or the cartridge system and to make it available to the control device. Alternatively or additionally, the identifier detector includes a transmitting and receiving antenna for automatically reading out an RFID code, for example.

A further object of the present invention is a beverage preparation system with a beverage preparation machine according to the invention and a cartridge system, wherein the cartridge system for beverage preparation can be inserted into the cartridge holder of the beverage preparation machine, the cartridge system comprising a cartridge containing a reservoir filled with a beverage substance and one with the cartridge comprises a cartridge receptacle that can be connected in a connection area, the cartridge having a cartridge opening, the cartridge opening being closed with a sealing element, in particular a sealing film, the sealing element sealing the reservoir in a fluid-tight manner with respect to the cartridge receptacle, the The cartridge holder has a mixing chamber that can be brought into fluid connection with the reservoir and a fluid supply opening into the mixing chamber for coupling to the fluid supply system of the beverage preparation machine, so that a conditioned liquid can be introduced into the mixing chamber, the cartridge holder having a cartridge discharge device for transferring the beverage substance from the reservoir into the mixing chamber has, wherein the cartridge holder has a beverage outlet for discharging a beverage produced by mixing the liquid with the beverage substance from the mixing chamber. The drink is particularly preferably dispensed directly into a drinking vessel. Preferably, the cartridge discharge device also includes a compressed air supply, which is provided for interaction with the fluid supply system, in particular with the coupling element, of the beverage preparation machine in order to introduce compressed air through the cartridge discharge device into the reservoir.

Such a beverage preparation system is particularly advantageous since contamination of the beverage preparation machine with the beverage substance is avoided. Only a conditioned liquid and preferably compressed air are fed into the mixing chamber of the cartridge holder, the beverage preparation takes place entirely in the mixing chamber and the finished beverage is discharged directly from the cartridge system into the drinking vessel underneath without touching the beverage preparation machine. Such a beverage preparation system therefore meets the highest hygiene requirements. The drive also allows the beverages to be prepared in a particularly simple and reliable manner.

According to a preferred embodiment, it is provided that the cartridge discharge device comprises a spike guide and a puncturing spike that is mounted displaceably within the spike guide, in particular in one direction, with the puncturing spike between a retracted position, in which the puncturing spike is spaced apart from the sealing element, and an extended position , in which the piercing spike pierces the sealing element and protrudes into the reservoir, can be displaced by the actuator element of the beverage preparation machine. Preferably, the piercing spike and the actuator element are designed in such a way that a reliable displacement of the piercing spike is ensured by the actuator element. This can be achieved, for example, in that the piercing spike is on the actuator element side facing has a concave surface, which engages a convex surface of the actuator element, or vice versa. Such a piercing spike is a particularly simple and reliable embodiment of a cartridge discharge device. The mandrel guide ensures reliable movement of the piercing mandrel.

According to a preferred embodiment, it is provided that the cartridge discharge device comprises a compressed air connection and a compressed air line, which extends from the compressed air connection to a compressed air outlet, with the compressed air outlet protruding in particular in the direction of the reservoir of the cartridge, with the compressed air connection being designed to introduce compressed air into the compressed air line , The compressed air line is integrated into the piercing mandrel, the

Cartridge discharge device is designed such that in the extended position of the piercing spike, the beverage substance can be transferred into the mixing chamber by the compressed air from the reservoir. The compressed air can therefore only be introduced into the compressed air line by the fluid supply system in the extended position of the piercing spike. A premature introduction of compressed air is thereby advantageously avoided. In addition, in the extended position, the compressed air can be introduced into the reservoir in a targeted manner and thus contributes to avoiding a negative pressure resulting from the transfer of the beverage substance into the mixing chamber and/or actively expelling the beverage substance from the reservoir.

Yet another subject matter of the present invention is a method for preparing a beverage with a beverage preparation system according to the invention, characterized by the following steps:

Insertion of a cartridge system consisting of a cartridge and a cartridge holder into the cartridge holder,

Establishing a fluid connection between the fluid supply system and the cartridge holder,

Activation of the actuator element for actuating the cartridge discharge device, in particular by transferring the piercing spike from the retracted position to the extended position, causing the sealing element to be perforated,

Transferring the beverage substance from the cartridge reservoir into the mixing chamber of the cartridge holder, in particular by feeding compressed air into the reservoir,

introducing a conditioned liquid into the mixing chamber of the cartridge receptacle through the fluid delivery system and discharging the beverage produced in the mixing chamber by mixing the beverage substance with the conditioned liquid through the beverage outlet.

The method according to the invention is distinguished from known methods in that the step of activating the actuator element includes activating the drive. This advantageously ensures that the beverage preparation process can be optimally controlled and, in particular, that the cartridge discharge device is actuated reliably and easily.

According to a preferred embodiment, it is provided that the activation of the actuator element includes the generation of a relative movement between the cartridge holder and the actuator element, which is in particular in contact with the piercing spike. The cartridge system is preferably inserted into the cartridge holder in such a way that there is contact between the piercing spike and the actuator element. Alternatively, contact is only generated by activating the actuator element. In a very particularly preferred manner, the cartridge holder remains immobile while the beverage is being prepared and the actuator element is moved along a predetermined trajectory. Alternatively or additionally, however, the cartridge receptacle and in particular the cartridge holder together with the cartridge system are also moved in the direction of the actuator element.

character description

The invention is explained below with reference to FIGS. These explanations are only exemplary and do not limit the general idea of the invention. The explanations apply to the invention

Beverage preparation machine, the beverage preparation system according to the invention and the method according to the invention alike.

FIG. 1 shows a beverage preparation machine according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows a cross section of a beverage preparation system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a cartridge holder according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 shows a perspective sectional view of a

Cartridge holder according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 5-7 show a method for preparing a beverage according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in different steps.

FIG. 8 shows a schematic cross section of a cartridge holder and an actuator element according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 shows a perspective representation of an actuator element and a drive according to a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 shows a perspective illustration of an actuator element and a drive according to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 11a, b show perspective representations of an actuator element according to a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows a beverage preparation machine 1 according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. the

Beverage preparation machine 1 comprises a main unit 2 with a housing, in which most of the components required for operation are housed, and a liquid reservoir 4, here a water tank. As an alternative to the embodiment shown here, the liquid reservoir 4 can also be arranged at least partially in the housing and/or the beverage preparation machine 1 has a connection an external fluid supply system. In addition, the main unit 2 has some operating elements 6 ′, which can be actuated by a user and, for example, initiate the, in particular automatic, beverage preparation procedure or process.

The beverage preparation machine 1 stands with a base element on a surface that is preferably as horizontal as possible and has a certain overall height. In the present case, the main unit is flat on top, but other shapes, such as rounded or pointed, are also possible. According to the embodiment shown here, a cartridge holder 3 protrudes laterally from the main unit 2 at approximately 60%-70% of the total height.

The cartridge holder 3 here has a round cross-section in a horizontal plane and is essentially disc-shaped. A storage area 5 is arranged in a vertical direction below the cartridge holder 3, in which at least one drinking vessel can be placed. The storage area 5 preferably comprises a drip grid and/or a liquid collection device. The cartridge holder 3 preferably has a recess in the middle, ie in particular a hole, into which a cartridge system can be inserted from above. Such a cartridge system is explained in more detail in connection with FIG. The cartridge holder 3 has at least one locking means 13, here in the form of three claw-shaped elements distributed essentially uniformly around the circumference of the recess. These are shown in FIG.

After the user has inserted the cartridge system into the cartridge holder 3 from above with the cartridge receptacle 11 in front, he actuates the operating element 6, which is designed here as a rotary lever. In the present case, the operating element 6 can be pivoted in an angular range of approximately 180° about an axis of rotation running centrally and vertically through the cartridge holder 3 . Alternatively, the angular range is only 30°, 60°, 90° or 120°. The markings and/or inscriptions on the cartridge holder 3 preferably show the user which position of the operating element 6 corresponds to an unlocked position and which position corresponds to a locked position. It is preferred that the operating element 6 is coupled to the control device in such a way that a beverage preparation can only be started if the operating element 6 is in the locked position and/or a cartridge system is inserted in the cartridge holder 3 . It is also conceivable that the beverage preparation starts automatically as soon as the operating element 6 has moved the locking means 13 into the locked position. FIG. 2 shows a cross section of a beverage preparation system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The embodiment of the beverage preparation machine 1 shown here essentially corresponds to the embodiment explained in connection with FIG. 1, for which reason reference is made to the relevant explanations. In the case shown here, a cartridge system is inserted into the cartridge holder 3 and the claw-like locking means 13 is already in the locked position, in which it can be moved, for example, by the control element 6, which is rotatably mounted outside at the top and whose lever-like extension is not in the section plane. An additional liquid outlet is also shown at the bottom left. Such an additional liquid outlet is described in more detail in the applicant's application of the same filing date as the present application and entitled "Beverage preparation machine with a liquid outlet and beverage preparation system". The relevant statements, in particular with regard to the exact design of this liquid outlet, are hereby explicitly included in the present disclosure.

The cartridge system consists of a cartridge 7 and a cartridge receptacle 11 connected thereto in a connection area, for example a neck area. The cartridge 7 comprises a reservoir 8, in which a preferably liquid beverage substance is contained. The cartridge 7 is preferably made of a plastic material. Alternatively, however, it is also possible for the cartridge 7 to be made at least partially from glass. The cartridge 7 particularly preferably has at least one flange 9 or a flange area. The cartridge 7 is connected directly and indirectly via this flange 9, for example via an intermediate piece, to the cartridge holder 11, the intermediate piece preferably providing a positive connection between the cartridge 7 and the cartridge holder 11, in particular in the form of an adapter. In the direction of the cartridge holder 11, the cartridge 7 has an opening which is closed by a sealing element, here a sealing film 10. The locking means 13 particularly preferably engages in the flange 9 in a positive and/or non-positive manner, so that the cartridge system is prevented from being pulled out when the locking means 13 is in the locked position.

The cartridge holder 11 is attached to the cartridge 7 with an opening and has a mixing chamber inside, into which on the one hand the conditioned liquid from the beverage preparation machine 1 is introduced and on the other hand after actuation of a cartridge discharge device yet to be explained the beverage substance from the reservoir 8 of the cartridge 7 can be transferred. The liquid and the beverage substance mix in the mixing chamber and thus form the beverage, which finally flows via a beverage outlet into a drinking vessel that can be arranged underneath. The cartridge discharge device preferably comprises a mandrel guide and a puncturing mandrel 17 mounted therein so that it can be displaced in one direction.

The piercing spike 17 is shown here in a retracted position, so the tip is at a distance from the sealing film 10 or at least the sealing film 10 has not yet been pierced. The cartridge holder 3 includes an actuator element 14 which, after activation, transfers the piercing pin 17 to an extended position in which the sealing film 10 is pierced. As can be seen from the drawing, a compressed air line is integrated into the piercing spike 17 . In the retracted position of the piercing spike 17, it is not connected. In the extended position, the compressed air line is aligned with a line in the cartridge holder 11 or directly with a compressed air line of the beverage preparation machine 1. Here the beverage preparation machine 1 has a coupling element 16, which has two integrated and separate lines, a liquid line and a compressed air line. The coupling element 16 can preferably be brought into fluid connection in a targeted manner with a cartridge receptacle 11 inserted in the cartridge holder 3 . Further details on both the coupling element 16 and the locking means 13 can be found in the applicant's application from the same filing date entitled "Beverage preparation machine with a locking means and a coupling element as well as a beverage preparation system". The relevant statements, in particular with regard to the configurations of the locking means and/or the coupling element (referred to there as the coupling element), are explicitly included in the present disclosure.

An identification detector 18 is provided above the cartridge holder 3 in the housing of the main unit 2, which here comprises an optical sensor, for example. This identifier detector can detect an identifier of the cartridge and/or the cartridge holder in a manner known per se and forward the detected information to the control device. So it is conceivable, for example, that if an unauthorized identifier is detected, the start of the beverage preparation process is prevented.

Not shown here are the other components of the beverage preparation device, such as a compressed air source, which is used to feed in compressed air via the Coupling element 16 is provided in the cartridge system, and a liquid conditioning system which a liquid, in particular water, conditioned. This preferably includes temperature control, for example cooling and/or heating, of the liquid and/or carbonation, ie adding carbonic acid to the liquid. Furthermore, the beverage preparation machine 1 includes a fluid supply system, which introduces the conditioned liquid and/or the compressed air from the liquid conditioning system or the compressed air source into the cartridge system. The coupling element 16 is in particular part of the fluid supply system.

According to the illustrated embodiment, the actuator element 14 is designed as a rocker arm which has a projection which interacts with the piercing pin 17 and can be pivoted about a tilting axis A. According to the invention, the actuator element 14 is now actuated by a drive 12 which is arranged in the main unit 2 here. The drive 12 is here, for example, an electric motor as a linear drive, i.e. the drive 12 generates a linear movement, in particular in the vertical direction.

The person skilled in the art understands that with regard to the design and selection of a drive 12, the desired direction of force is of outstanding importance. In the present case, the drive 12 works under tension, i.e. when activated, an element connected to the actuator element 14, here the rocker arm, is moved vertically downwards at its end on the machine side. An upward movement of the end of the actuator element 14 on the cartridge holder side is therefore generated via the tilting axis, as a result of which the piercing spike 17 is transferred into the extended position. The piercing pin 17 consequently pierces the sealing film 10 . In the extended position, the compressed air lines are aligned with one another, so that compressed air is introduced into the reservoir 8 via the piercing pin 17 . There, the compressed air supports the transfer of the beverage substance into the mixing chamber. At the same time, the conditioned liquid is introduced into the mixing chamber.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a cartridge holder 3 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The embodiment shown here essentially corresponds to the previously explained embodiments, so that reference is made to the previous explanations. The cartridge holder 3 is shown here at an angle from below. The operating element 6, which is in the unlocked position or in an intermediate position here, is clearly visible here in particular. It is conceivable that the cartridge holder is arranged to be vertically displaceable along a guide. Particularly preferably, the cartridge holder can be snapped in at different heights. In this way, drinking vessels of different heights can be used.

Furthermore, the liquid reservoir optionally includes a filter means for treating the liquid, in particular for decalcifying the water.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective sectional illustration of a cartridge holder 3 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The embodiment shown here essentially corresponds to the previously explained embodiments, in particular the embodiment explained in connection with FIG. 2, so that reference is made to the previous explanations. The actuator element 14 designed as a rocker arm can be clearly seen here. The piercing spike 17 is shown here in the extended position, in which the sealing film 10 has been pierced. The rocker arm is partly below the cartridge holder and partly extends into the housing of the main unit. Here the tilting axis A is realized in that the actuator element 14 has pin-like extensions which are rotatably mounted in corresponding bearings of the beverage preparation machine 1 , in particular the cartridge holder 3 . Alternatively, however, the opposite case is also conceivable, i.e. at least one axis penetrates the actuator element 14 at least partially (for example, two axes that engage in the actuator element on both sides can also be provided) and the actuator element 14 can optionally be pivoted about the tilting axis A, with the axle is arranged in a rotationally fixed manner, or the axle that is formed separately from the actuator element 14 is rotationally fixedly connected to the actuator element 14 and rotates relative to the main unit 2.

In the figures 5 to 7, a method for beverage preparation according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown in different steps. The embodiment shown here of the beverage preparation machine 1, the cartridge holder 3 and the cartridge system essentially corresponds to the previously explained embodiments, so that reference is made to the previous explanations. The following mainly explains the differences between the various steps.

FIG. 5 shows the situation in which a user has inserted a cartridge system in the cartridge holder 3, but the locking means 13 has not yet been moved to the locked position. The representation is very similar to that in Figure 2 was selected, so that reference is made to the relevant explanations, in particular with regard to the other components. As can be seen from the drawing, the recess of the cartridge holder 3 is designed to taper conically downwards. In this way, the cartridge system can only be inserted into the cartridge holder 3 from above and is held in the cartridge holder 3 in a form-fitting manner, so in particular it cannot fall down out of the cartridge holder 3 . The inner contours of the recess of the cartridge holder 3 and the outer contours of the cartridge receptacle 11 are preferably of complementary design, so that a positive fit is facilitated. In addition, the cartridge receptacle 11 and the recess of the cartridge holder 3 deviate from a perfectly circular cross section, with a flattening preferably being present in particular in the area of the fluid supply or the coupling element. In this way, on the one hand, the particularly fluid-tight coupling of the coupling element 16 to the cartridge holder is simplified, on the other hand, it is ensured in a particularly advantageous manner that the cartridge system is correctly inserted into the cartridge holder 3, thereby avoiding operating errors.

The piercing pin 17 of the cartridge discharge device is still in the retracted position, the sealing foil 10 is still undamaged.

The locked position is now shown in FIG. For example, the user has turned the operating element 6 and therefore indirectly transferred the at least one locking means 13 into the locked position, in which the locking means 13 engages behind the flange 9 of the cartridge 7 . The cartridge system can now no longer be removed from the cartridge holder 3, an accidental outflow of liquid from the beverage preparation machine 1 without a cartridge holder 11 is prevented in this way. As soon as it has received information that the locking means 13 is in the locked position and/or that the cartridge system is correctly inserted in the cartridge holder 3, the control device preferably releases the start of beverage preparation via a further control element 6'. Alternatively, the beverage preparation can also start automatically. As previously mentioned, the optional identifier detector 18 can, for example, detect the insertion of a suitable cartridge system and/or receive preparation parameters and forward them to the control device.

Preparation parameters are, for example, a liquid volume, a liquid temperature, a degree of carbonization, a speed of the liquid flow, a compressed air volume and/or a speed of the compressed air flow. The coupling element 16 has been brought up to the fluid supply of the cartridge holder 11 in a manner not explained in detail here, so that a fluid-tight connection of the compressed air line on the cartridge holder side with the compressed air line of the coupling element 16 and a fluid-tight connection of the fluid supply on the cartridge holder side with the liquid line of the coupling element 16 is established.

The control device can now determine the optimum point in time for transferring the beverage substance into the mixing chamber and control the drive, for example the electric motor, accordingly. This actuates the actuator element 14 , which in turn contacts the piercing spike 17 and moves it upwards along the spike guide, so that the tip of the piercing spike 17 pierces the sealing film 10 . The compressed air line integrated into the piercing spike is now aligned with the compressed air line of the cartridge holder and/or the compressed air line of the coupling element 16, so that the compressed air provided by the compressed air source can reach the reservoir and support the transfer of the beverage substance through the hole in the sealing film 10 into the mixing chamber . After mixing with the liquid introduced into the mixing chamber, the beverage flows through the beverage outlet of the cartridge holder into the drinking vessel provided (or the liquid collection device provided in the storage area).

FIG. 7 now shows the situation after the end of the beverage preparation. The piercing spike 17 is in the extended position, the locking means 13 has been transferred to the unlocked position, in particular by the user transferring the operating element 6 back to the unlocked position.

In the figures 8 to 11 alternative embodiments of the drive 12 and / or the actuator element 14 and optionally located between these elements deflection mechanisms 15 are shown. The previous statements apply to the remaining components of the beverage preparation system.

FIG. 8 shows a schematic cross section of a cartridge holder 3 and an actuator element 14 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. A cartridge receptacle 11 inserted into the cartridge holder 3 can also be seen, although for the sake of clarity the associated cartridge 7 has not been shown. The actuator element 14 is not designed here as an elongate rocker arm, but as an angled rocker arm. Has a ram at its tip, the rounded surface of which interacts preferably in a form-fitting manner with a correspondingly concave underside of the piercing spike 17 . Due to the angled shape, the direction of the force can be changed. A thrust pointing in the direction of the cartridge holder, ie outwards, in particular a substantially horizontal thrust, is now required in order to actuate the actuator element. Accordingly, the drive 12 in the main unit 2 can be positioned and/or designed differently. If, for example, a drive 12 as shown in FIG. 2 is to be used, a deflection mechanism 15 (not shown here) is required, which accordingly redirects the force provided by the drive 12 to the actuator element 14 as the output. In the present case, a linear drive that works on thrust and is arranged horizontally in the main unit 2 in the simplest case is particularly suitable.

The person skilled in the art understands that a large number of different drives 12 can be used as a result of the combination of the design of the actuator element 14 and a suitable deflection mechanism 15 . In particular, a drive 12 suitable for the particular installation situation can be selected.

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of an actuator element 14 and a drive 12 according to a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention. According to the embodiment shown here, the drive is a rotary drive, for example again an electric motor, which drives the actuator element 14 via a deflection mechanism 15, here for example a transmission gear. As a result, only a small amount of space is required, so that the drive 12 , the deflection mechanism 15 and the actuator element 14 can be arranged together at least partially on the underside of the cartridge holder 3 . Alternatively, the drive can also be arranged directly in the transition area between the cartridge holder 3 and the main unit 2 . For the sake of clarity, only the piercing spike 17 of the cartridge system is shown.

FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of an actuator element 14 and a drive 12 according to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Again, the drive 12 can be designed as a rotary drive and in particular as an electric motor. The drive 12 is arranged here in the main unit 2, which is only indicated in the drawing. The drive 12 is connected via a shaft to a deflection mechanism 15, which is designed here as a worm gear. This deflection mechanism 15 is in turn connected to the actuator element 14 . In the present case, the drive 12 is arranged in the main unit 2, where there is generally more space available than in the cartridge holder 3, but the illustrated embodiment of the drive 12 in the main unit requires little space. The combination of shafts and the worm gear means that there is no translation, so that there is no need to provide free space into which elements can move. In addition, the arrangement shown is possible, although the drive 12 and the actuator element 14 are located on different horizontal planes. A rotation on one level about a horizontal and longitudinally arranged axis of rotation is thus diverted into a rotation about the tilting axis, which is oriented transversely to the axis of rotation and also horizontally, in a lower horizontal plane.

FIGS. 11a and 11b show perspective views of an actuator element 14 according to a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention. For the sake of clarity, only the cartridge holder 3 is shown. In the present case, the drive 12 can, for example, be designed identically to the drive 12 explained in connection with FIG. In this case, the deflection mechanism 15 comprises a lever which can be pivoted about a tilting axis A, with the drive 12 acting on the machine-side end of the lever and the other end being mounted in a longitudinally displaceable manner in a link guide of a vertically movably arranged plate-shaped element 19 of the cartridge holder 3. If the drive 12 is activated, a lower, movable, plate-shaped element 19 of the cartridge holder 3 is moved upwards along the direction of movement 100 via the lever of the deflection mechanism 15 . In this case, the actuator element 14 is firmly attached to this plate-shaped element 19 and is therefore also moved upwards and thus activates the piercing spike 17 and transfers it from the retracted to the extended position.

In other words, in this case a movable element 19 on the underside of the cartridge holder 3 is firmly connected to the actuator element 14 and, in contrast to the variants discussed above, the triggering movement here is a purely vertical translation 100. This is advantageous compared to a pivoting of the actuator element 14 , since in this case the relative orientation of the actuator element 14 and the piercing spike 17 to one another remains unchanged. The person skilled in the art understands that in particular the drives 12 and deflection mechanisms 15 discussed in FIGS. 2 and 8 to 11 can also be combined with one another, so that the person skilled in the art can select the combination of deflection mechanism 15 and drive 12 that is suitable for the respective installation situation.

Reference List

1 beverage preparation machine

2 main unit

3 cartridge holder

4 liquid reservoir

5 storage area

6, 6' controls

7 cartridge

8 reservoirs

9 flange

10 sealing foil

11 cartridge holder

12 drive

13 locking means

14 actuator element

15 deflection mechanism

16 coupling element

17 piercer

18 identifier detector

19 plate-shaped element

100 direction of movement

A tilting axis

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. Beverage preparation machine (1), in particular a dispenser, for preparing a beverage using a cartridge system consisting of a cartridge (7) which has a beverage substance in a reservoir (8) and a cartridge receptacle (11) connected to the cartridge (7), which has a mixing chamber, at least one fluid supply and a beverage outlet, the beverage preparation machine (1) comprising a main unit (2) and a cartridge holder (3) protruding from the main unit (2), in particular designed like a balcony, the cartridge holder (3) being such is designed so that the cartridge system can be replaced in it, the cartridge holder (3) comprising an actuator element (14) for actuating a cartridge discharge device of the cartridge system, the main unit (2) having a liquid reservoir (4), a liquid conditioning system for conditioning a liquid from the Liquid reservoir (4), especially for Tempe and/or carbonizing the liquid, a fluid supply system for introducing the conditioned liquid and/or compressed air into the cartridge system, and a control device for controlling the liquid conditioning system and/or the fluid supply system, characterized in that the main unit (2) and/or the Cartridge holder (3) comprises a drive (12) for the actuator element (14).

2. Beverage preparation machine (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the drive (12) is a manual drive and/or a motor, wherein the drive (12) is in particular a linear drive, a rotary drive and/or an oscillating drive.

3. Beverage preparation machine (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the motor is an electric motor, a hydraulic motor or a pneumatic motor.

4. Beverage preparation machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cartridge holder (3) is essentially disc-shaped and preferably essentially horizontally protrudes from the main unit (2), the cartridge holder (3) particularly preferably one, in particular has a substantially circular recess into which the cartridge system can be inserted.

5. Beverage preparation machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the beverage preparation machine (1), in particular the cartridge holder (3) and/or the main unit (2), has at least one operating element (6, 6') that can be actuated by a user. has, which is coupled to the drive (12), in particular via the control device.

6. Beverage preparation machine according to claim 5, characterized in that the operating element (6) is a lever which is pivotable in particular about a horizontally or vertically oriented axis.

7. Beverage preparation machine (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cartridge holder (3) has at least one locking means (13) which is intended to reversibly lock the cartridge system in the cartridge holder (3), the locking means ( 13) is convertible from an unlocked position to a locked position and vice versa.

8. Beverage preparation machine (1) at least according to claims 5 and 7, characterized in that the locking means (13) can be transferred from the unlocked position to the locked position by the operating element (6, 6').

9. Beverage preparation machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the beverage preparation machine (1), in particular the control device, is configured in such a way that the actuator element (14) and/or the drive (12) can only be activated when the locking element (14) is in the locked position.

10. Beverage preparation machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive (12) is connected to the actuator element (14) via a deflection mechanism (15), the deflection mechanism (15) preferably being a transmission gear and/or a transmission lever includes.

11. Beverage preparation machine (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuator element (14) is provided pivotable about at least one, in particular horizontally arranged, axis (A).

12. Beverage preparation machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuator element (14) is arranged at least partially below the cartridge holder (3).

13. Beverage preparation machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuator element (4) is a rocker arm, the rocker arm having an upper contact surface for positive and/or non-positive interaction with the cartridge discharge device of the cartridge system.

14. Beverage preparation machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the beverage preparation machine (1) comprises a compressed air source, the compressed air source being provided for introducing compressed air into the cartridge system in cooperation with the fluid supply system.

15. Beverage preparation machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the beverage preparation machine (1), in particular the main unit (2), has an identifier detector (18) for detecting an identifier of the cartridge system.

16. Beverage preparation system with a beverage preparation machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims and a cartridge system, wherein the cartridge system for beverage preparation can be inserted into the cartridge holder (3) of the beverage preparation machine (1), the cartridge system having a cartridge (7), which has a reservoir (8) filled with beverage substance, and a cartridge receptacle (11) that can be connected to the cartridge (7) in a connection area, the cartridge (7) having a cartridge opening, the cartridge opening having a sealing element, in particular a sealing foil (10), is closed, wherein the sealing element seals off the reservoir (8) in a fluid-tight manner from the cartridge receptacle (11), wherein the cartridge receptacle (11) has a mixing chamber that can be brought into fluid connection with the reservoir (8) and a fluid supply that opens into the mixing chamber for coupling to the fluid supply system of the Beverage preparation machine (1) up so that a conditioned liquid can be introduced into the mixing chamber, the cartridge holder (11) having a cartridge discharge device for transferring the beverage substance from the reservoir (8) into the mixing chamber, the cartridge holder (11) having a beverage outlet for discharging a through mixing the liquid with the beverage substance of the resulting beverage from the mixing chamber.

17. Beverage preparation system according to claim 16, characterized in that the cartridge discharge device comprises a mandrel guide and a piercer (17) mounted displaceably within the mandrel guide, in particular in one direction, the piercer (17) moving between a retracted position in which the piercer ( 17) is at a distance from the sealing element, and an extended position, in which the piercing spike pierces the sealing element and projects into the reservoir (8), can be displaced by the actuator element (14) of the beverage preparation machine.

18. Beverage preparation system according to one of claims 16 or 17, characterized in that the cartridge discharge device comprises a compressed air connection and a compressed air line which extends from the compressed air connection to a compressed air outlet, the compressed air outlet protruding in particular in the direction of the reservoir (8) of the cartridge (7). , wherein the compressed air connection is designed to introduce compressed air into the compressed air line, wherein the compressed air line is integrated into the puncturing pin (17), wherein the cartridge discharge device is designed in such a way that when the puncturing pin (17) is in the extended position, the beverage substance is discharged by the compressed air from the Reservoir (8) can be transferred into the mixing chamber.

19. A method for preparing a beverage with a beverage preparation system according to any one of claims 16 to 18, characterized by the following steps:

Inserting a cartridge system consisting of a cartridge (7) and a cartridge holder (11) into the cartridge holder (3),

Establishing a fluid connection between the fluid supply system and the cartridge holder (11),

activating the actuator element (14) to actuate the cartridge discharge device, in particular by moving the piercing pin (17) from the retracted position to the extended position, causing the sealing element to be perforated,

Transferring the beverage substance from the reservoir (8) of the cartridge (7) into the mixing chamber of the cartridge holder (11), in particular by feeding compressed air into the reservoir (8), Introducing a conditioned liquid into the mixing chamber of the cartridge holder (11) through the fluid supply system and discharging the beverage produced in the mixing chamber by mixing the beverage substance with the conditioned liquid through the beverage outlet.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the activation of the actuator element (14) comprises generating a relative movement between the cartridge holder (11) and the actuator element (14) which is in particular in contact with the piercing spike (17).