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EP-4585114-B1 - BEVERAGE DISPENSING UNIT OF A BEVERAGE MAKER, AND BEVERAGE MAKER

EP4585114B1EP 4585114 B1EP4585114 B1EP 4585114B1EP-4585114-B1

Inventors

  • OBERHANSL, Denis

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20250108

Claims (15)

  1. A beverage dispensing unit of a beverage maker, comprising: a) a first valve (1) for controlling the dispensing of a beverage, wherein the first valve (1) has at least two ports (2, 3), an open switching position and a closed switching position, b) a first valve inlet fluid line (4) with an inlet end (5), which is connectable or is connected to a first fluid line of a beverage maker, and an outlet end (6), which is fluidically connected to a first port (2) of the first valve (1); c) a first valve outlet fluid line (7) with an inlet end (8) fluidically connected to a second port (3) of the first valve (1), and an outlet end (9) suitable for dispensing a beverage into an external environment of the beverage dispensing unit; characterized in that the first valve outlet fluid line (7) has a length of ≤ 5 cm and an inner diameter in the range from > 0 mm to ≤ 7 mm, wherein the first valve (1) has at least three ports (2, 3, 10), wherein the beverage dispensing unit further has: i) a second valve (11) for controlling a discharge of liquid into a drain, wherein the second valve (11) has at least two ports (12, 13), an open switching position and a closed switching position; ii) a second valve inlet fluid line (14) with an inlet end (15) fluidically connected to a third port (10) of the first valve (1), and an outlet end (16) fluidically connected to a first port (12) of the second valve (11); and iii) a second valve outlet fluid line (17) with an inlet end (18) fluidically connected to the second port (13) of the second valve (11), and an outlet end (19) suitable for dispensing a beverage into a drain of the beverage dispensing unit.
  2. The beverage dispensing unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the first valve (1) is configured in such a way that, in a closed switching position of the first valve (1), there is a fluid-conducting connection between the first and third port (2, 10) of the first valve (1).
  3. The beverage dispensing unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the beverage dispensing unit further has i) a third valve (20) for controlling the dispensing of a beverage, wherein the third valve (20) has at least two ports (21, 22), an open switching position and a closed switching position, ii) a third valve inlet fluid line (23) with an inlet end (24) fluidically connected to the first valve inlet fluid line (4) and an outlet end (25) fluidically connected to a first port (21) of the third valve (20); and iii) a third valve outlet fluid line (26) with an inlet end (27) fluidically connected to a second port (22) of the third valve (20) and an outlet end (28) suitable for dispensing a beverage into an external environment of the beverage dispensing unit; wherein the third valve outlet fluid line (26) preferably has a length of ≤ 5 cm and an inner diameter in the range from > 0 mm to ≤ 7 mm.
  4. The beverage dispensing unit according to claim 3, characterized in that the third valve (20) has at least three ports (21, 22, 29), wherein the third port (29) of the third valve (20) is fluidically connected to the second valve inlet fluid line (14) of the second valve (11), wherein preferably i) the second valve inlet fluid line (14) has an inlet end (15) fluidically connected to a third port (10) of the first valve (1) and an outlet end (16) fluidically connected to a first port (12) of a second valve (11) of the beverage maker; and/or ii) the third valve (20) is configured in such a way that, in a closed switching position of the third valve (20), there is a fluid-conducting connection between the first and third ports (21, 29) of the third valve (20).
  5. The beverage dispensing unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the beverage dispensing unit further includes: i) a fourth valve (30) for controlling the dispensing of a beverage, wherein the fourth valve (30) has at least two ports (31, 32), an open switching position and a closed switching position, ii) a fourth valve inlet fluid line (33) with an inlet end (34) which is connectable or is connected to a second fluid line of a beverage maker, and an outlet end (35) which is fluidically connected to a first port (31) of the fourth valve (30); iii) a fourth valve outlet fluid line (36) with an inlet end (37) fluidically connected to a second port (32) of the fourth valve (30) and an outlet end (38) suitable for dispensing a beverage into an external environment of the beverage dispensing unit; wherein the fourth valve outlet fluid line (36) preferably has a length of ≤ 5 cm and an inner diameter in the range from > 0 mm to ≤ 7 mm.
  6. The beverage dispensing unit according claim 5, characterized in that the beverage dispensing unit further includes: i) a fifth valve (40) for controlling the dispensing of a beverage, wherein the fifth valve (40) has at least two ports (41, 42), an open switching position and a closed switching position, ii) a fifth valve inlet fluid line (43) with an inlet end (44) which is or may be fluidically connected to a third fluid line of a beverage maker, or is connected to a third port (39) of the fourth valve (30), and an outlet end (45) which is fluidically connected to a first port (41) of the fifth valve (40); iii) a fifth valve outlet fluid line (46) with an inlet end (47) fluidically connected to a second port (42) of the fifth valve (40) and an outlet end (48) suitable for dispensing a beverage into an external environment of the beverage dispensing unit; wherein the fifth valve outlet fluid line (46) preferably has a length of ≤ 5 cm and has an inner diameter in the range from > 0 mm to ≤ 7 mm, and optionally the fourth valve (30) is configured in such a way that in a closed switching position of the fourth valve (30) there is a fluid-conducting connection between the first (31) and third port (39) of the fourth valve (30).
  7. The beverage dispensing unit according to claim 6, characterized in that the fifth valve (40) has at least three ports (41, 42, 49), wherein the third port (49) of the fifth valve (40) is fluidically connected to a third port (50) of a second valve (11) of the beverage dispensing unit, wherein the fifth valve (40) is preferably configured in such a way that, in a closed switching position of the fifth valve (40), there is a fluid-conducting connection between the first (41) and third port (49) of the fifth valve (40).
  8. The beverage dispensing unit according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the beverage dispensing unit further includes: i) a sixth valve (52) for controlling the dispensing of a beverage, wherein the sixth valve (52) has at least two ports (53, 54), an open switching position and a closed switching position, ii) a sixth valve inlet fluid line (55) with an inlet end (56) which is fluidically connectable or is fluidically connected to a fourth fluid line of a beverage maker, or is connected to a fourth port (51) of the fourth valve (30), and an outlet end (57) which is fluidically connected to a first port (53) of the sixth valve (52); iii) a sixth valve outlet fluid line (58) with an inlet end (59) fluidically connected to a second port (54) of the sixth valve (52) and an outlet end (60) suitable for dispensing a beverage into an external environment of the beverage dispensing unit; wherein the sixth valve outlet fluid line (58) preferably has a length of ≤ 5 cm and has an inner diameter in the range from > 0 mm to ≤ 7 mm, and optionally the fourth valve (30) is configured in such a way that in a closed switching position of the fourth valve (30) there is a fluid-conducting connection between the first (31) and fourth port (51) of the fourth valve (30).
  9. The beverage dispensing unit according to claim 8, characterized in that the sixth valve (52) has at least three ports (53, 54, 61), wherein the third port (61) of the sixth valve (52) is fluidically connected to a third port (50) of a second valve (11) of the beverage dispensing unit, wherein the sixth valve (52) is preferably configured in such a way that, in a closed switching position of the sixth valve (52), there is a fluid-conducting connection between the first (53) and third port (61) of the sixth valve (52).
  10. The beverage dispensing unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first valve (1) i) is selected from the group consisting of electrically switchable valve, hydraulically switchable valve, pneumatically switchable valve and combinations thereof, wherein the first valve is preferably an electrically switchable valve; and/or ii) has an actuator (63) suitable for switching the first valve (1), wherein the actuator is preferably selected from the group consisting of linear solenoid, linear motor, piezo element and combinations thereof; and/or iii) has a plunger (64) which is suitable for switching the first valve (1) by its movement, driven by an actuator of the first valve (1), wherein the plunger (64) preferably has an elastic element (62), particularly preferably a spring, which is suitable for holding the first valve (1) in its closed switching position or in its open switching position; and/or iv) has an elastic material (65), preferably an elastic diaphragm, which is suitable for sealing the inlet end of the first valve outlet fluid line (7) in a fluid-tight manner in a closed switching position of the first valve (1); wherein optionally all valves (1, 11, 20, 30, 40, 52) of the beverage dispensing unit have at least one of these features.
  11. The beverage dispensing unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first valve (1) has at least one port of which the internal cross-sectional area decreases in the direction of the fluid lines connected to the respective port, preferably from a larger internal cross-sectional area than an internal cross-sectional area of the fluid lines to an internal cross-sectional area which is identical to the internal cross-sectional area of the fluid lines, wherein optionally all valves of the beverage dispensing unit have at least one of these features.
  12. The beverage dispensing unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outlet end of the first valve outlet fluid line (7) is suitable for dispensing a beverage along a substantially linear axis to the external environment of the beverage dispensing unit, wherein the substantially linear axis is preferably arranged within an imaginary cylinder of which the central cylinder axis is parallel to the substantially linear axis, wherein the imaginary cylinder has a radius in the range from 3 to 6 cm, preferably 3.5 to 5.5 cm, particularly preferably 4 to 5 cm, in particular 4.5 cm.
  13. The beverage dispensing unit according claim 12, characterized in that the outlet end i) of the first valve outlet fluid line (7) has a distance from the central cylinder axis of the imaginary cylinder which is in the range from 0 to 6 cm, preferably 0.5 to 5 cm, particularly preferably 1 to 4 cm, most preferably 2 to 3 cm, in particular 2.5 cm; and/or ii) of a third valve outlet fluid line (26) of the beverage dispensing unit has a distance from the central cylinder axis of the imaginary cylinder which is in the range from 0 to 6 cm, preferably 0.5 to 5 cm, particularly preferably 1 to 4 cm, most preferably 2 to 3 cm, in particular 2.5 cm, wherein a distance between the outlet end of the third valve outlet fluid line and the outlet end of the first valve outlet fluid line is optionally in the range from 2 to 4 cm, preferably 2.5 to 3.5 cm, in particular 3 cm; and/or iii) of a fourth valve outlet fluid line (36) of the beverage dispensing unit has a distance from the central cylinder axis of the imaginary cylinder which is in the range from 0 to 2 cm, preferably 0.25 to 1.75 cm, particularly preferably 0.5 to 1.5 cm, very particularly preferably 0,75 to 1.25 cm, in particular 1 cm, wherein a distance between the outlet end of the fourth valve outlet fluid line and the outlet end of the first valve outlet fluid line is optionally in the range from 2 to 4 cm, preferably 2.5 to 3.5 cm, in particular 3 cm; and/or iv) of a fifth valve outlet fluid line (46) of the beverage dispensing unit has a distance from the central cylinder axis of the imaginary cylinder which is in the range from 1 to 4 cm, preferably 1.5 to 3.5 cm, particularly preferably 2 to 3 cm, in particular 2.5 cm, wherein a distance between the outlet end of the fifth valve outlet fluid line and the outlet end of the first valve outlet fluid line is optionally in the range from 3 to 7 cm, preferably 4 to 6 cm, in particular 5 cm; and/or v) of a sixth valve outlet fluid line (58) of the beverage dispensing unit has a distance from the central cylinder axis of the imaginary cylinder which is in the range from 1 to 4 cm, preferably 1.5 to 3.5 cm, particularly preferably 2 to 3 cm, in particular 2.5 cm, wherein a distance between the outlet end of the sixth valve outlet fluid line and the outlet end of a fifth valve outlet fluid line is optionally in the range from 2 to 5 cm, preferably 3 to 4 cm, in particular 3.5 cm.
  14. A coffee machine, comprising i) a beverage dispensing unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein preferably the inlet end of the first valve inlet fluid line of the beverage dispensing unit is connected to a first coffee line of the coffee machine and particularly preferably an inlet end (34) of a fourth valve inlet fluid line (33) of the beverage dispensing unit is connected to a milk line of coffee machine; and ii) a control unit configured to control at least one valve, preferably all valves, of the beverage dispensing unit.
  15. The coffee machine according to claim 14, characterized in that the control unit is configured i) to open the first valve (1) when the coffee machine has received a command to dispense coffee into a single beverage container; and/or ii) to open the first valve (1) and a third valve (20) of the beverage dispensing unit when the coffee machine has received a command to dispense coffee into a single beverage container or two beverage containers; and/or iii) to switch a second valve (11) of the beverage dispensing unit in a manner complementary to the first valve (1), optionally also to a third (20), fourth (30), fifth (40) and/or sixth valve (52) of the beverage dispensing unit, preferably to close it when the coffee machine has received a command to dispense a beverage and to open it when the coffee machine has not received a command to dispense a beverage; and/or iv) to open a fourth valve (30) of the beverage dispensing unit when the coffee machine has received a command to dispense a fluid comprising or consisting of milk into a single beverage container; and/or v) to open a fifth (40) and sixth valve (52) of the beverage dispensing unit and to close a fourth valve (30) of the beverage dispensing unit when the coffee machine has received a command to dispense a fluid comprising or consisting of milk into a single beverage container or two beverage containers.

Description

A beverage dispensing unit of a beverage maker is provided, comprising a first valve for controlling the dispensing of a beverage, which has two ports, an open switching position and a closed switching position, a first valve inlet fluid line with an inlet end that is connectable to or connected with a first fluid line of a beverage maker, and an outlet end that is fluidically connected to a first port of the first valve, as well as a first valve outlet fluid line with an inlet end that is fluidically connected to a second port of the first valve, and an outlet end that is suitable for dispensing a beverage into an external environment of the beverage dispensing unit, characterized in that the first valve outlet fluid line has a length of ≤ 5 cm and an inner diameter in the range of > 0 to ≤ 7 mm. A beverage dispensing unit is the central component for dispensing beverages from a coffee machine. In modern coffee machines, this component typically houses several fluid paths, such as those for freshly brewed coffee or frothed milk. Additional fluid paths are possible (for example, syrup, hot water, various milk alternatives, etc.). Viewed in the direction of fluid flow, the beverage dispenser is immediately followed by a beverage dispensing unit, typically located below a drinking container. If the beverage is dispensed to only one drinking container, this is referred to as single dispensing. Conversely, it is possible to dispense the beverage to two drinking containers simultaneously, in which case it is referred to as double dispensing. Therefore, the beverage dispenser must have at least two outlets for the same type of fluid (coffee, frothed milk, syrup, white water, etc.) to enable both single and double dispensing. Furthermore, it is advantageous if each fluid path of the beverage dispenser is connected to a drain that leads into a spout. This allows, for example, rinsing processes for cleaning the fluid paths and/or the drainage of excess fluid into the spout. In general, beverage dispensers known in the prior art have an outlet for dispensing beverages to a drinking container and a drain to a spout, and are equipped with discrete valves, such as 3/2-way hinged valves. DE 600 05 276 T2 Disclosing a beverage maker, the device comprises a water supply unit, a water intake unit, water supply channels, and water intake channels. A water distributor is provided that selectively allows the flow of water from the water supply unit to the water intake channels. The water distributor includes a rotating plate driven by an electric motor and a recess suitable for connecting an outlet end of the water supply channels to an inlet end of the water intake channels by rotating the plate to a specific angular position. The rotating plate is not located in the beverage dispensing unit. arranged in the beverage maker. The DE 10 2008 041122 A1 Disclosure reveals a ceramic disc valve for distributing hot water and/or steam in a hot beverage dispenser. The ceramic disc valve comprises a valve housing with valve discs arranged in a stack therein, of which at least one valve disc is an adjustable control disc with at least one channel bore, and at least one valve disc is a fixed valve disc. A distribution recess is provided in an inlet section and/or in an outlet section, connecting several inlet channels and/or several outlet channels. The ceramic disc valve is not located in the beverage dispensing unit of the beverage dispenser. Generally, it is desirable to have a beverage, such as coffee or a coffee-based mixed drink, prepared by a beverage maker that offers optimal taste, temperature, and visual appeal. This is not reliably achievable if the beverage maker is not designed to prevent dripping from a freshly prepared beverage into the beverage container. In common beverage makers, the valves are positioned relatively far from the dispensing unit, making it difficult to reliably prevent dripping. It is known in the art to reduce this problem by switching the valves of the beverage dispensers to a position that connects the beverage line to a drain of the dispenser after a beverage has been dispensed. However, this measure only partially succeeds in reliably preventing dripping, as it cannot be guaranteed that beverages in a line downstream of the valve will not reach the outlet and cause dripping. This can negatively affect the quality of the beverage dispensed from the dispenser and also of any subsequent beverages dispensed from the dispenser, i.e., it can negatively impair their taste (e.g., making them less fresh or bland) and degrade their appearance (e.g., resulting in an inconsistent appearance between individual dispensings). and cause a double dispensing of a drink) as well as undesirably alter its temperature (e.g. reduce it to an undesirably low temperature). The DE 11 2018 002 571 T5 Disclosing a coffee machine, this coffee machine proposes a further solution to this problem. This coffee machine has a coffee