DE-102024133045-A1 - Device for the production and dispensing of beverages

DE102024133045A1DE 102024133045 A1DE102024133045 A1DE 102024133045A1DE-102024133045-A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for producing and dispensing beverages based on concentrates, comprising a housing in which a dosing module (5) is arranged, which is connected to at least two concentrate containers and to a water inlet, wherein a computer module is arranged which is connected to a touchscreen (4) for displaying and selecting the beverage and which is configured to control the dosing module (5) or solenoid valves upstream of the dosing module (5), wherein a stand system comprising at least one column is arranged, to which the touchscreen (4) is attached and which has a beverage dispensing line. The housing is part of the stand system and is detachably closed by a cover part (2), wherein the cover part (2) has the touchscreen (4).

Inventors

Thomas Trugge

Assignees

TRUGGE HOLDING GMBH

Dates

Publication Date: 20260513
Application Date: 20241112

Claims (15)

Device for the production and dispensing of beverages based on concentrates, comprising a housing in which a dosing module (5) is arranged, which is connected to at least two concentrate containers and to a water inlet, wherein a computer module is arranged which is connected to a touchscreen (4) for beverage display and selection and which is configured to control the dosing module (5) or solenoid valves upstream of the dosing module (5), wherein a stand system comprising at least one column is arranged, to which the touchscreen (4) is attached and which has a beverage dispensing line, characterized in that the housing is part of the stand system and is detachably closed by a cover part (2), wherein the cover part (2) has the touchscreen (4).
Device according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the touch screen (4) is connected to the computer module and/or a power source via a detachably attached cable (41, 65).
Device according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the stand system is formed by exactly one support column (1) which includes a housing-forming section (14) in which the dosing module (5) is arranged and which has at least one beverage dispensing line.
Device according to Claim 3 , characterized in that the support column (1) is hollow, wherein lines are guided through the support column (1) which are connected to the concentrate containers or the water inlet, wherein the support column (1) preferably has a rear wall (113) detachably connected to it.
Device according to Claim 3 or 4 , characterized in that the housing (14) is elongated in the direction of the support column (1) and preferably has a substantially rectangular or oval cross-section.
Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover part (2) has a flange part (22) on its rear side facing away from the touch screen (4), via which the cover part (2) is attached to the housing (14).
Device according to Claim 6 , characterized in that the flange part (22) comprises a collar that circumferentially surrounds at least in some areas, the inner surface of which corresponds to the outer surface of the housing (14) abutting the cover part (2) onto which it is pushed at least in some areas, or the outer surface of which corresponds to the inner surface of the housing (14) abutting the cover part (2) into which it is inserted at least in some areas.
Device according to Claim 7 , characterized in that the collar has bores for the passage of a fastening screw, via which the collar can be detachably connected to the housing (14), wherein preferably a sealing layer is arranged between the collar and the housing (14).
Device according to one of the aforementioned claims, characterized in that the computer unit is arranged inside the housing.
device according to one of the Claims 1 until 8 , characterized in that the computer module is arranged within the lid part (2), which is connected to a power supply via a detachably attached cable (41, 65).
Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dosing module (5) arranged in the housing (14) comprises a mixing nozzle which is connected to the water inlet and on which the beverage dispensing line is arranged.
Device according to Claim 11 , characterized in that the dosing module (5) is connected to a solenoid valve block (6) which is connected to the at least two concentrate containers.
Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (14) has a rear wall (3) on its rear side opposite the cover part (2), which is detachably connected to the housing (14).
device according to one of the Claims 3 until 12 , characterized in that the support column (1) has a flange part at its end facing away from the touch screen (4) for fastening the support column (1) to a counter top.
device according to one of the Claims 3 until 13 , characterized in that the support column (1) is turned away from the touch screen (4) ten end has a drain connection laterally, which is detachably connected to a drip tray (7) arranged which surrounds the support ropes at least partially.

Description

The invention relates to a device for the production and dispensing of beverages based on concentrates according to the preamble of claim 1. Devices for the production and dispensing of beverages based on concentrates are known in various designs. Such devices are used particularly in fitness studios as self-service machines for the preparation of customized soft drinks. The beverages are prepared using a mixing device with a water inlet and connected to at least two concentrate containers. A desired beverage can be selected by pressing a specific button or by making a selection on a touchscreen. A counter cabinet, which also houses the mixing unit, is typically used to position the concentrate containers. A new generation of beverage vending machines for gyms, marketed by Trugge under the names "IQ1" and "IQ2," has recently entered the market. These machines feature a housing containing a touchscreen, mounted on either side by a column. The touchscreen is connected via electrical cables running through one of the columns to a computer located in a countertop cabinet on which the vending machine sits. A beverage supply line runs through the other column and connects to a central outlet exiting the housing. This supply line is connected to a mixing unit housed within the countertop cabinet. The mixing unit is connected to concentrate containers on one side and a water inlet on the other. It is also connected to the computer, which controls the mixing unit according to the operator's selections made via the touchscreen. The existing beverage vending machines have proven their worth in practice. In particular, the simple and intuitive operation via the generously sized touchscreen, as well as the airy design of the touchscreen positioned between the two columns (the beverage dispenser is located on the underside of the housing), have proven to be extremely user-friendly. However, depending on the design of the counter cabinet, the arrangement of the individual system components can be somewhat difficult to access, thus complicating maintenance. This is where the present invention comes in. The invention is based on the objective of providing a device for the production and dispensing of beverages based on concentrates, in which maintenance is simplified regardless of the counter cabinet used. According to the invention, this objective is achieved by a device with the features of claim 1. The invention provides a device for the production and dispensing of beverages based on concentrates, simplifying maintenance regardless of the countertop cabinet used. Because the housing is part of the stand system and is releasably closed via a lid, which incorporates the touchscreen, access to components located within the housing is improved by simply removing the lid. In a further development of the invention, the touchscreen is connected to the computer module and/or a power source via a detachably attached cable. This allows for easy removal of the cover containing the touchscreen, thus further improving accessibility. Alternatively, a correspondingly longer cable can be provided, which, to reduce the required storage space within the housing, can also be designed as a coiled cable. In this embodiment of the invention, the stand system is formed by exactly one support column, which includes a housing-forming section in which the dosing system is arranged and which has at least one beverage dispensing line. This reduces the number of components and achieves a compact design. In a further embodiment of the invention, the stand is hollow, with conduits running through it that are connected to the concentrate containers and/or the water supply. This provides a central conduit channel that is easily accessible from the operating side after removing the removable cover section containing the touchscreen. In a further development of the invention, the support column has a rear wall that is detachably connected to it. This allows additional access to the components arranged in the housing as well as to the cables running through the support column. Preferably, the rear wall is arranged opposite the cover part. In an embodiment of the invention, the housing is elongated in the direction of the support column, i.e., in the vertical direction, and preferably has It has a substantially rectangular or oval cross-section. This further improves the compact design as well as good accessibility to the components located in the housing section. In a further embodiment of the invention, the cover part has a flange on its rear side facing away from the touchscreen, by means of which the cover part is attached to the housing. This facilitates the mounting of the cover part to the housing section. In a further development of the invention, the flange comprises a collar that circumferentially surrounds at least part of the housing. The inner surface of this collar corresponds to the outer surface of the housing abutting the cover part, onto