FR2758808A1 - ELECTRIC DEVICE FOR HEATING A SPECIFIED VOLUME OF WATER FOR THE COMPOSITION OF A HOT BEVERAGE - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns an electric appliance, preferably a compact and light wall appliance (1), characterised in that it does not comprise an integrated water reserve nor a reserve of the products required for preparing a hot drink. The appliance is generally supplied with alternative current of 110 or 220 volts by being simply connected to a power outlet on the mains supply and does not need to be connected on the water supply network. The water is supplied by a bottle of commercialised mineral or spring water (2) generally made of plastic and containing 1.5 litres. The appliance heats a volume of water close to the volume required for preparing a drink, i.e. the volume of a mug (3) of the drink. The drink is prepared outside the appliance preferably in mugs (3) filled with a previously measured amount of freeze-dried products by supplying the heated water in the mug.

Description

ELECTRIC DEVICE FOR HEATING A VOLUME OF WATER
DETERMINED FOR THE COMPOSITION OF A HOT BEVERAGE.

The present invention relates to an electrical device, preferably wall-mounted, which does not have an integrated water reserve, making it possible, from a bottle of mineral water or from a commercially available source, to heat in a very short time, a volume of precise water necessary for the composition of a hot drink in a cup.

Most commercial hot drink dispensing devices are designed and produced to allow consumers to obtain the hot drink of their choice, in public places or businesses. These machines, today automatic and most often installed by connection to the public water supply network, take water from the network, heat it and mix it with natural or freeze-dried products to form the hot drink ordered by the user.

These machines are most often fitted with coin acceptors which record the payment electronically before authorizing operation.

Some of these automatic machines are equipped for example for grinding coffee, dosing it, and producing a quality filter coffee close to that obtained by the amateur consumer at home.

Other machines using exclusively freeze-dried products, draw water from the network instantaneously reheats it, for example by passing it through a heating coil or other device, so as to continuously generate water at a temperature sufficient for the composition. hot drinks from powders of lyophilized products.

Other machines which do not use instantaneous heating, have a water tank of sufficient volume for the composition of several drinks, replenished with water automatically or manually and maintained at electric temperature to allow the composition of several successive drinks in a short period of time.

Whatever the principles used by these various types of machines, their objective is common; allow an indefinite number of drinks to be delivered in the shortest time immediately immediately. Indeed, these machines are intended for public or corporate use and must always be able to deliver hot drinks one behind the other and without any variation in their operation.

The device of the invention consists, unlike the machines defined above, of a water heater for domestic use with a small footprint and a totally different concept, having by its destination no common approach with the previous machines both in terms of objectives and dc the design.

Indeed, the concept of the device of the invention consists of a preferably wall-mounted water heater for domestic use, characterized in that it is supplied with water by means of at least one bottle of mineral or spring water most often from the plastic trade and with a volume of 1 liter or 1.5 liters, installed in the device, in the vertical position with the neck down.

This feature gives the device of the invention considerable advantages over all existing systems, including that of ease of installation. No connection to the public water supply network is necessary
On the other hand, the hygienic conditions applied to the water reserve are guaranteed, because these conditions are those applied to the packaging of water in plastic bottles commonly sold. Since the device of the invention does not have an integrated reserve, the constraints of filling and maintaining the reserve do not exist. The bottle of water brought back being emptied, it is purely and simply replaced.

According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the device is easily mobile by its volume, its weight and its independent supply of water. However, it is electrically powered by connecting a standard electrical outlet to the usual power supply sector, most often 110 or 220 volts alternating current, like any commercial appliance.

The device of the invention can be assimilated to a household appliance intended to be easily moved from one room to another inside an apartment or a professional premises, provided that it is reconnected electrically to the mains. main power supply.

According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the device is only a tool intended for heating a precise volume of water, not physically integrating the ingredients necessary for the composition of a drink, that is to say upstream the water to be heated and downstream the lyophilized products. The water to be heated is packaged in commercial plastic bottles and the powders of lyophilized products are preferably an integral part of cups predosed physically outside the device.

According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, and unlike other existing devices, the volume of water withdrawn and heated is determined and equivalent to the volume of water necessary for the composition of a single drink, most often 150 to 200 cc. Beyond this volume the device is automatically switched off until the next use.

Limiting the heated volume to the volume necessary for the composition of a single drink makes it possible, from a high electrical power released, to reach the desired temperature for example 65 to 70 degrees in a very short time. This characteristic is particularly well suited to domestic use, the device consuming high power electricity that during a very short heating time and an almost zero current when not in use.

Commercial hot beverage vending machines using instant heating imposing no volume limit, and those using a tank maintained at temperature consuming electrically continuously or periodically, are therefore expensive in terms of electrical consumption and unsuitable for domestic use .

According to the embodiment of the invention, the device incorporating neither water reserve nor product reserve, its size is very small and perfectly suited for domestic use. Its weight excluding water bottle is also very low and allows rapid installation in very many places in a room, apartment or professional premises, for example on a wall using a hook or screw.

According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the installation of the commercially available water bottle in the device is carried out by equipping the open water bottle in the vertical position with the neck up, with a special cap designed to adapt to a large number of types of bottles, and by inserting the bottle fitted with its special stopper in an inverted position, vertical with the neck down, into the device.

Equipped with its special stopper, the bottle is perfectly sealed outside the device, once installed in the device, the special stopper releases water into the device.

According to a different embodiment of the invention, the water bottle is installed open, in the vertical position with the neck upwards in a housing provided for this purpose in the device. It is then tilted in one or the other direction of the hand of a watch so as to take the vertical position with the neck down, by rotation of a part of the device.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the bottle is placed in the device, in a vertical neck position equipped with its original cap downwards.

According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the water contained in the bottle installed in the device is released by gravity into a small internal tank of determined volume close to the volume necessary for the composition of a drink, to be heated there. by means of a high power heating resistor, and delivered to the user.

According to a different embodiment of the invention, the water contained in the bottle installed in the device is released by gravity into a small internal tank of determined volume close to the volume necessary for the composition of a drink. By order of the user, the water contained in the internal tank is released and flows into an instantaneous heater bringing the volume of water released to the desired temperature.

According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the device is provided with an optical beam intended when it is interrupted to control the flow of hot water in the cup of the user.

According to a different embodiment of the invention, the optical beam is placed inside the device so that it can only be interrupted by a cup specially designed to generate this action. The position of the optical beam is such that it cannot be interrupted by the positioning of a standard commercial cup but only by a cup specially made to be able to cut the optical ray inside the device.

According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the flow of heated water in the cup takes place during the entire time when the optical beam is interrupted, the flow is stopped as soon as the user withdraws his cup and that the optical beam is no longer interrupted.

This characteristic allows the user to dose according to his taste the quantity of water which will compose his drink, but forces him to hold the cup in position for the chosen duration of the flow.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the flow of heated water in the cup is controlled by means of an infrared or other optical reader located in the device, reading and recording an apparent mark on the cup intended for receive the drink. The presentation of the visible mark on the cup in front of the optical drive triggers the delivery of heated water ready for consumption.

 The presentation before the reader of the device of a cup not bearing a mark or bearing a mark not readable by the reader does not cause delivery.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the flow of heated water in the cup is caused by mechanical means preferably internal to the device which can only be activated by a cup specially designed to generate this action. The mechanical means internal to the device cannot be activated and cannot trigger the flow of heated water using a standard commercial cup.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the device comprises a means of maintaining the cup in position on the device until complete flow of the heated water. This characteristic frees the user from the constraint of holding the cup in the appliance until complete flow
According to the preferred embodiment of the invention. the device includes audible and visual means to notify the user of the various operations in progress and of the availability of the heated water.

According to a different embodiment of the invention, the device has an attached adapter allowing the maintenance of certain types of commercially available bottles.

In fact, since the shapes and dimensions of the bottles of mineral water or from commercial sources are not standardized and vary considerably, keeping a large number of different types of bottles in position requires the possible addition of a part accessory.

I, a following description, with reference to the accompanying drawings by way of nonlimiting examples, will make it possible to understand how the invention can be put into practice.

Figure 1 shows the device of the invention naked, installed sir iin wall and electrically powered, with separately its adapter for all types of bottles.

Figure 2 shows the device of the invention, seen from the front, and the ingredients necessary for the composition of the drink. Upstream mineral or spring water in 1.5 liter bottles and downstream the goblet predosed with powder of lyophilized product.

Figure 3 shows the device of the invention in which the water bottle was installed.

Figure 4 shows the device of the invention during delivery of hot water in a pre-dosed cup.

Figures 5a and 5b show the device of the invention, in profile, installed on a wall by means of a hook or screws.

Figures 6a and 6b show the installation of the bottle in the device using a special cap.

Figures 7a and 7b show the installation of the bottle in the device by rotation of a part of the device.

FIG. 8 shows the device provided with an internal tank itself provided with a heating resistance.

Figure 9 shows the device with an internal tank associated with an instantaneous heater.

FIG. 10 shows the device of the invention in profile, revealing the optical ray for triggering the flow of hot water.

Figure 11 shows the device of the invention in profile, revealing the optical ray placed inside the body of the device, usable only with specially designed cups
Figures 12a and 12b show the flow of heated water when the user interrupts the optical beam with his cup and the flow stops when the user removes his cup when the chosen amount of water has been delivered. .

Figure 13 shows the flow of heated water in a cup kept integral with the device.

Figure 14 shows the bottle placed directly in the device, vertically, neck down with its original cap.

Figure 15 shows the flow of heated water when the user presents the mark located on the special cup facing the optical reader placed in the device.

Figure 1 U shows the flow of heated water when the user actuates the mechanical means internal to the device with the special cup to trigger the flow of heated water.

 l, e device of the invention (1) consists of a preferably wall-mounted water heater, compact and light weight, characterized in that it has integrated neither water reserve nor reserve of products necessary for the composition of a hot drink. (See Figures 1 and 2).

The absence of a reserve of water and products in the device makes this device a movable household appliance, electrically powered by simple connection of an electrical outlet (4) to the electricity supply sector, most often in alternating current. 110 or 220 volts.

According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the device (1) is supplied with water by means of a bottle of mineral or commercial source water (2) most often made of plastic and containing 1.5 liters. , installed in the device (1), in the vertical position with the neck down. (See figure 3).

According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the device (1) acts as an independent device responsible only for heating the water (2) supplied to it dc
Outside, and deliver it on the user's order in a cup (3) preferably predosed and in which the user will compose his hot drink outside and without the device (1) operating. (See Figures 2 and 4).

According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the amount of water heated in the device (1) is close to the amount of water necessary for the composition of a single hot drink, that is to say the maximum amount of water. contained in the cup (3).

According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, when the volume of water heated by the device (1) is delivered into the cup (3) of the user, the heating function of the device (1) is made automatically inactive and power off.

According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the device (1) is so compact and of weight that it is easy to install it by simply placing it on a wall by means of a hook (5) or by means of screws (6), with no other connection than that of a standard commercially available socket on the usual supply sector, generally in 110 or 220 volt alternating current. (See Figures 5a and 5b).

According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the water bottle (2) is placed in the device (1) after having been previously equipped, in the vertical position with the neck up, with a special cap (7 ). Once fitted with the special cap (7), the bottle is placed in the vertical position with the neck down, in the housing specially provided for this purpose in the device (1). The purpose of the special stopper (7) is to keep the bottle (2) completely sealed until it is installed in the device (1). When installing the bottle (2) in the device (1) the cap (7) releases the water from the bottle (2). (See Figures 6a and 6b).

According to a different embodiment of the invention, the water bottle (2) is placed in the device (1) in the vertical position with the neck up after having previously removed its original cap. The bottle (2) is then turned over to be placed in the vertical position with the neck down by rotation in one or the other of the needle directions of a watch of the bottle (2) installed and of a part of the device. (1) himself. (See Figures 7a and 7b).

According to another embodiment different from the invention, the bottle (2) is placed in the housing of the device (1) in the vertical position with the neck down and equipped with its original cap, the device providing the means perforate the original cap to release water from the bottle (2). (See figure 14).

According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the water contained in the bottle (2) placed in the vertical position with the neck down in the device (1), is released by gravity into a small internal tank (8) of volume determined close to the volume necessary for the composition of a drink, equipped with a high power electric heating resistor (9), to be heated there to the desired temperature and then delivered to the cup (3) of the user. (See figure 8).

According to a different embodiment of the invention, the water contained in the bottle (2) placed in the vertical position with the neck down in the device (1), is released by gravity into a small internal tank (8) of volume determined close to the volume necessary for the composition of a drink, associated with an instantaneous heater (10) in which the determined volume of water contained in the tank (8) flows and takes the desired temperature before being delivered in the user's cup (3).

(See figure 9).

According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the device (1) has an optical beam (11) placed in such a way that it initiates the flow of the heated water in the cup (3) of the user when interrupted by the edge of the cup (3).

(See figure 10).

According to another embodiment of the invention, the optical ray (11) is placed at
The interior of the body of the device (1), so that it can only be accessed and interrupted by a cup (12) designed specifically to accomplish this action.

(See figurell).

According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the flow of heated water in the cup (3) of the user takes place when the optical beam (11) is interrupted, and is interrupted as soon as the beam optic (11) is no longer interrupted. This means that the user can choose the dosage of heated water according to his taste and stop the flow when the desired volume is reached, by removing the cups (3). (See Figures 12a and 12b).

According to a different embodiment of the invention, the device (1) is provided with an infrared or other optical reader (14) responsible for reading a mark (15) located on the special cup (16) and triggering after identification of the brand (15) the flow of heated water in the special cup (16). (See figure 15).

According to a different embodiment of the invention, the flow of heated water in the cup is caused by mechanical means (17) preferably internal to the device which can only be activated by a cup (12) specially designed for generate this action. The mechanical means internal to the device (1) cannot be activated and cannot initiate the flow of heated water using a standard commercial cup. (see figure 16)
According to a different embodiment of the invention, the device (1) comprises a mechanical means (13) for holding the cup (3) during filling. In this case, the cup (3) is made integral with the device (1) and the user is not forced to hold the cup (3) in position during filling. (See figure 13).

According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the device (1) is provided with audio and visual means, necessary to inform the user of the progress of the operations of the operation and of the availability of the heated water.

Claims (15)

1.- Electrical device intended to heat a volume of water determined for the composition of a hot drink, characterized in that it does not include in an integrated manner either the water reserve (2), nor the product reserve ( 3) necessary for the preparation of the drink, and in that it is supplied with water from a bottle of mineral water (2) or from a commercial source Ic more often made of plastic material and of capacity 1.5 liter. 2. An electrical device intended for heating a volume of water determined for the composition of a hot drink according to claim 1, characterized in that the quantity of water reheated in the device (1) is close to the quantity of water necessary for the composition of a single hot drink, ie the maximum amount of water contained in the cup (3). 3. An electrical device intended for heating a volume of water determined for the composition of a hot drink according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrical supply of the heating function is automatically interrupted after each operating cycle, ie after the water has warmed up and been delivered to the user's cup (3). 4. An electrical device intended for heating a volume of water determined for the composition of a hot drink according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that its weight, its volume and its bulk allow it to be easily displaced. , and installed for example on a vertical wall using a hook-type fastener or by screw, without the need for any connection other than the simple connection of a standard power outlet to the usual power supply more often in alternating current of 110 or 220 volts. 5. An electrical device intended for heating a volume of water determined for the composition of a hot drink according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the installation of the water bottle (2) in the device (1) is produced by equipping the bottle (2) in the vertical position with the neck upwards with a special stopper (7) then by turning it in the vertical position with the neck down before introducing it, fitted with the stopper (7) into the housing provided for this purpose in the device (1). 6. An electrical device intended for heating a volume of water determined for the composition of a hot drink according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the installation of the water bottle (2) in the device (1) is produced by placing the bottle (2) in the device (l) in the vertical position with the neck up, previously stripped of its original cap, and by turning the bottle (2) and the part of the device (1) of which it is integral in one or other of the directions of the hands of a watch until the bottle (2) is in the vertical position with the neck downwards installed in the device (1). 7. An electrical device intended for heating a volume of water determined for the composition of a hot drink according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the installation of the bottle (2) in the device ( 1) is carried out by directly installing the bottle (2) in the vertical position with the neck down and equipped with its original cap in the housing provided for this purpose in the device (1). 8. An electrical device intended for heating a volume of water determined for the composition of a hot drink according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the water contained in the bottle (2) installed in the device (1) is released by gravity into a small internal tank (8) of determined volume and close to the volume of water necessary for the composition of a drink, equipped with a high power electric heating resistance (9). 9. An electrical device intended for heating a volume of water determined for the composition of a hot drink according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the water contained in the bottle (2) installed in the device (1) is released by gravity into a small internal tank (8) of determined volume and close to the volume of water necessary for the composition of a drink, associated with an instantaneous heater (10) in which the volume of water determined content in the tank (8) flows to take the desired temperature 10.- Electrical device for heating a volume of water determined for the composition of a hot drink according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has an optical beam (11) placed in such a way that it triggers the flow of heated water when it is interrupted by the edge of the cup (3). 11. An electrical device intended for heating a volume of water determined for the composition of a hot drink according to claim 10, characterized in that the optical beam (11) is placed inside the body of the device (1 ), so that the optical beam (11) can only be interrupted by a cup (12) specially designed to apply this action. 12.- An electrical device intended for heating a volume of water determined for the composition of a hot drink according to one of claims 10 or 11, characterized in that the optical ray (11) interrupted by the cup (3) and triggering the flow of heated water, interrupts the flow of heated water when the cup (3) is removed and the optical beam (11) restored. 13. An electrical device intended for heating a volume of water determined for the composition of a hot drink according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the device (1) is provided with an optical reader to infrared or other (14) responsible for reading a mark (15) carried on a cup (16) and triggering after identification of the mark (15) the flow of heated water in the cup (16). 14.- An electrical device intended to heat a volume of water determined for the composition of a hot drink according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the device (1) is provided with internal mechanical means (17) capable of being activated exclusively with a special cup (12), and triggering the flow of heated water in the special cup (12). 15.- An electrical device intended to heat a volume of water determined for the composition of a hot drink according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (1) is provided with mechanical means (13) holding the cup (3) in position during the filling operation. 16.- An electrical device intended for heating a volume of water determined for the composition of a hot drink according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an attached part to allow receiving almost all types of bottles of mineral or commercial water.