Heating apparatus and installations

Abstract

The invention provides a heating device comprising a base structure comprising a fluid channel and a heating element arranged for heating fluid within the fluid channel, the heating device further comprising a cooling device arranged for cooling the fluid channel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to heating devices, particularly heating elements comprising a heating element and a cooling device arranged for cooling the heating element. The invention also relates to a method for cooling the heating element of a heating device; a beverage preparation apparatus including a heating device; and a method for preparing one or more beverages. Background Technology

[0002] Flow-through low-calorific-mass heaters (hereinafter referred to as "FTH") are used in various appliances, particularly kitchen appliances for the instantaneous supply of heated liquids for beverage preparation, such as kettles and brewing devices like coffee machines. Known flow-through high-calorific-mass heaters can have a non-linear liquid flow path operatively connected to a heating element to heat the liquid within the channel when hot liquid is needed. In beverage preparation appliances incorporating such heating devices, such as coffee and / or hot chocolate makers, the liquid (typically water or milk) can be heated efficiently and rapidly, giving the user the advantage of being able to continuously brew or prepare several beverages without waiting for the water and / or milk to heat up after each beverage.

[0003] Comparatively, consumption of cold drinks has recently increased both at home and outdoors. This has led to increased demand for appliances that allow consumers to prepare both hot and cold drinks, particularly for household consumption.

[0004] The aforementioned types of appliances have a disadvantage: when dispensing cold drinks after hot drinks have been prepared, residual heat from the heated fluid channels can transfer to the cold drinks. This can lead to poor quality of the cold drinks, such as off-flavors and / or undesirable beverage temperatures. Indeed, although flow through low-caloric-mass heaters is effective in reducing the time of heat dissipation, even with their low mass, residual heat remains after the liquid in the beverage has been heated.

[0005] To overcome this drawback, appliances incorporating bypass valves have been developed, which activate when the consumer requires a cold beverage. To allow the cold beverage liquid to bypass the heated fluid passage of the FTH, an alternative passage path is used; this path is dedicated solely to cold liquid beverages and is operated using a bypass valve.

[0006] However, these types of appliances, including FTH (which incorporates a heated fluid path and a dedicated, separate cold fluid path controlled by valves), have several disadvantages, including high cost, increased system complexity (leading to a higher likelihood of failure), and cleaning difficulties due to the use of multiple valves, resulting in poor hygiene control. In particular, appliances including bypass valves exhibit lower reliability because the valves are prone to clogging and malfunction, especially when used with milk, thus increasing costs for consumers.

[0007] In this context, the ability to remove residual heat from the FTH, and especially from its heated fluid channels, shortly after hot drinks have been prepared, would be advantageous in order to prepare cold drinks through the same channel.

[0008] Therefore, it would be advantageous to provide a device that allows consumers to prepare alternating hot and cold drinks through the same fluid channel within the heating unit, thereby potentially saving space on kitchen shelves.

[0009] It would be more advantageous if consumers could prepare alternating hot and cold drinks without waiting for the fluid channels within the appliance to cool after dispensing the hot drink, thus accelerating the preparation of cold drinks.

[0010] It would be more advantageous if residual heat could be removed promptly from heating devices such as FTH after hot drinks have been prepared, so that cold drinks can be dispensed at the correct temperature with improved cup quality.

[0011] It would be more advantageous to eliminate the bypass valve from the heating device of the known appliances described above, resulting in a simpler, more compact, more hygienic, and / or more reliable system.

[0012] It would be more advantageous if a cooling device that is completely separated from the heated fluid passage could be provided, so that several types of coolants could be used to potentially increase cooling power and accelerate the cooling rate.

[0013] It would be more advantageous if heat could be transferred from the heated fluid channels and this residual heat could be used to help raise the liquid temperature for further heating, thus saving thermal energy and resulting in a more environmentally friendly device.

[0014] Therefore, the purpose of embodiments of the present invention is to meet the strong demand for optimized heating devices such as FTH and / or to overcome or mitigate at least one problem of the prior art, whether or not disclosed herein. Summary of the Invention

[0015] According to a first aspect of the invention, a heating device is provided, the heating device including a base structure including a fluid channel and a heating element arranged for heating a fluid within the fluid channel, the heating device further including a cooling device arranged for cooling the fluid channel.

[0016] The use of an integrated cooling device within the base structure of a heating device such as an FTH overcomes one or more of the disadvantages of the systems described above. By incorporating a cooling device that cools the material of the heated fluid channel itself during use, the heating device of the first aspect of the invention allows for the alternating preparation of hot and cold beverages through the same heating device without the use of a bypass valve, resulting in higher standards of beverage quality and faster preparation of cold beverages without waiting for the system to cool down after hot beverages have been prepared. Cooling the fluid channel with a cooling device after dispensing hot beverages also increases the overall hygiene of the heating device by ensuring that the fluid channel remains at a lower temperature for a longer period of time, making the environment within the fluid channel less conducive to the growth of bacteria or other microorganisms.

[0017] The fluid channel may extend through the base structure or on one or more of its surfaces. The fluid channel may comprise metal, alloy, or any other suitable thermally conductive material.

[0018] In some implementations, the heating element at least partially matches the fluid channel path formed by at least one fluid channel, and may fully match the fluid channel path of that fluid channel.

[0019] Preferably, the base structure includes a plate-like structure, and the plate-like structure may include a thermally conductive material through which heat is exchanged between the fluid channel and the cooling device.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, the cooling device includes a cooling channel. The cooling channel can be arranged to cool the fluid channel when the fluid channel is substantially free of one or more heated fluids, and preferably substantially free of one or more heated liquids.

[0021] In some embodiments, the cooling channel may be located above or below the fluid channel. Preferably, at least a portion of the cooling channel may be adjacent to at least one side of at least a portion of the fluid channel, and more preferably, at least a portion of the cooling channel may be adjacent to at least two different sides of at least a portion of the fluid channel. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the cooling channel may be adjacent to and spaced apart from at least one side (preferably at least two sides) of at least a portion of the fluid channel. In some embodiments, the fluid channel is entirely adjacent to and preferably spaced apart from at least one side (and preferably two sides) of the fluid channel.

[0022] In some embodiments, at least a portion of the cooling channel may be adjacent to or in contact with at least one side of at least a portion of the fluid channel, or at least a portion of the cooling channel may also be adjacent to or in contact with at least two different sides of at least a portion of the fluid channel, preferably opposing sides. In some embodiments, the fluid channel is adjacent to or in contact with the entirety of at least one side (and preferably two sides) of the fluid channel; and thus may extend continuously along one or more sides of the fluid channel.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, at least a portion of the fluid channel and at least a portion of the cooling channel are arranged in an alternating pattern across or through at least a portion of the base structure or on at least a portion of the base structure. Preferably, at least a portion of the fluid channel and at least a portion of the cooling channel are non-linear. At least a portion of the fluid channel and at least a portion of the cooling channel may preferably include shapes selected from spiral, wavy, labyrinthine, interactive, and serrated, or any combination thereof.

[0024] In some embodiments, during use, the fluid in the fluid channel and the fluid in the cooling channel may flow in the same or opposite directions. Preferably, during use, the fluid in the fluid channel may include liquids and / or gases, especially water and / or milk. Preferably, during use, the fluid in the cooling channel may include liquids.

[0025] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a method for cooling a fluid channel of a heating device according to a first aspect of the present invention is provided, the method comprising the steps of: conveying heated fluid through the fluid channel; and cooling the fluid channel using a cooling device.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment, the cooling device of the heating device includes a cooling channel, and the method may further include the step of conveying cooling fluid through the cooling channel to transfer the cooling fluid via the heat transfer channel.

[0027] In some embodiments, the method may include the step of substantially emptying the heated fluid from the fluid passage before cooling it with a cooling device. The method may include substantially emptying the fluid passage of the heated liquid, and optionally also emptying the vapor.

[0028] In some embodiments, the method may further include a step of recirculating the cooling fluid after it has passed through the cooling channel. The cooling fluid, which has absorbed residual heat from the heated fluid channel and therefore has an elevated temperature compared to the original cooling fluid, can be used as, for example, a fluid for subsequent transmission through the fluid channel. Because the cooling fluid has absorbed heat and its temperature is elevated compared to the unheated cooling fluid, allowing the heated cooling fluid to pass through the fluid channel reduces the time required to heat the fluid in the fluid channel to the desired temperature.

[0029] Preferably, the step of conveying fluid within the cooling channel may include a first cooling step, wherein the temperature of the cooling fluid does not exceed the ambient temperature, and preferably does not exceed 25°C. In some embodiments, the temperature of the cooling fluid is between 30°C and 10°C, such as between 25°C and 15°C.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment, the step of conveying fluid within the cooling channel may further include a second cooling step, wherein the temperature of the cooling fluid does not exceed 10°C, and preferably does not exceed 5°C. The temperature of the cooling fluid used in the second cooling step may be between 1°C and 12°C, such as between 2°C and 10°C, or between 3°C and 8°C, or approximately 4°C.

[0031] In some implementations, the cooling fluid can be recycled. Preferably, the heat absorbed by the cooling fluid can be used to heat another fluid, or the heated cooling fluid can be recycled or used as a heating fluid.

[0032] In some implementations, the cooling aisle path may include a dedicated path separate from the fluid aisle path. Within the dedicated cooling aisle path, coolant fluids such as ethylene glycol and / or water, or any combination thereof, may be used to accelerate the cooling rate of the cooling aisle.

[0033] According to a third aspect of the present invention, a beverage preparation apparatus is provided, which includes the heating device of the first aspect of the present invention.

[0034] Preferably, the equipment is a beverage preparation device, such as a coffee making device.

[0035] The equipment may include one or more fluid tanks, such as beverage liquid tanks (which may be, for example, water or milk), cooling fluid tanks, or refrigerators and recirculating cooling fluid tanks.

[0036] The equipment may include one or more ingredient hoppers or containers, such as grinding or instant coffee containers or hot chocolate containers.

[0037] The device may be an on-demand beverage device and may include one or more housings for inserting, for example, a pod, capsule, or other device containing beverage ingredients.

[0038] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a method for preparing one or more beverages is provided, the method comprising the steps of: heating a beverage fluid in a fluid channel of a heating element of a beverage preparation apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention; transferring the heated beverage fluid from the fluid channel; cooling the fluid channel; and optionally passing another fluid through the fluid channel.

[0039] In some implementations, the method may include the steps of inserting a chamber, capsule, or other device containing beverage ingredients into one or more housings, and conveying heated beverage through the chamber, capsule, or device for extraction and / or dissolution of the ingredients.

[0040] The cooling and heating fluid passage may include a cooling fluid passage through which cooling fluid is conveyed, wherein the temperature of the fluid does not exceed the ambient temperature, and preferably does not exceed 25°C.

[0041] In a preferred embodiment, the method may further include a second cooling step, wherein cooling fluid is conveyed through a cooling channel at a temperature not exceeding 10°C and preferably not exceeding 5°C.

[0042] In some implementations, the cooling fluid can be recycled and subsequently used as, for example, a beverage fluid. The heat absorbed by the cooling fluid from the fluid channel can be used to heat another fluid.

[0043] In a preferred embodiment, the method may further include the step of passing a second liquid through a fluid channel for use in preparing another beverage. The second liquid may be unheated or heated.

[0044] The method may also include the step of dispensing the beverage into cups and / or tumblers or any other beverage container. Detailed Implementation

[0045] To better understand the invention, embodiments thereof will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0046] Figure 1 A top view of a first embodiment of the heating device according to the present invention is shown;

[0047] Figure 2 It shows along Figure 1 A sectional view of line CC of the first embodiment;

[0048] Figure 3 A top view of a second embodiment of the heating device according to the present invention is shown;

[0049] Figure 4 A schematic flowchart of a first embodiment of a beverage preparation apparatus according to the present invention is shown, wherein there is no cooling fluid recirculation;

[0050] Figure 5 A schematic flowchart of a second embodiment of the beverage preparation apparatus according to the present invention is shown, wherein a cooling fluid recirculation is included; and

[0051] Figure 6A schematic flowchart of a third embodiment of a beverage preparation apparatus according to the present invention is shown, wherein a cooling fluid is recirculated.

[0052] See the following figures; similar reference numerals describe similar parts.

[0053] First see Figure 1 and Figure 2 An embodiment of a heating device (2) according to the invention for use in a beverage preparation apparatus is shown. The flow-through heating device (“FTH”) (1) includes a heating device (2) comprising a base structure in the form of a plate-like structure (4). When the system requires a cooling fluid channel (6) for preparing a cold beverage after the hot beverage has been dispensed, the heating device (2) includes a fluid channel (6) within the plate-like structure (4) for heating fluid (not shown) flowing through the FTH (1) and a cooling device in the form of a cooling channel (10) for cooling fluid (not shown) flowing through the FTH (1). Furthermore, the heating device (2) includes a heating element (8) located below and adjacent to the fluid channel (6) to exchange heat with the fluid channel (6) through direct and / or indirect contact. The heating element (8) may be matched to or partially matched to the path of the fluid channel (6).

[0054] In a further arrangement of the first embodiment, the heating device (8) may be located above and adjacent to the fluid channel (6) rather than below it.

[0055] The plate structure (4) is formed of a thermally conductive material to allow heat exchange between the components of the plate structure (4), such as, a fluid channel (6) and a heating element (8); and / or a fluid channel (6) and a cooling channel (10); and / or a fluid channel (6) and a heating fluid (not shown); and / or a cooling channel (10) and a cooling fluid (not shown).

[0056] The cooling channel capacity is 2 to 5 cm. 3 Within the range, however, in alternative implementations the capacity may be higher or lower, and the precise capacity will depend on the type of equipment in which the heating device (2) will be used.

[0057] Figure 1 and Figure 2 The fluid channel (6) and cooling channel (10) of the implementation scheme include a shaped channel pattern / path having a substantially spiral shape.

[0058] In alternative arrangements of the first embodiment, the passageway may include another shape, such as wavy, maze-shaped, interactive, and zigzag, or any combination thereof.

[0059] In a further arrangement of the first embodiment in any of these different configurations (wavy, labyrinthine, interactive and sawtooth), the channel patterns / paths of the fluid channel (6) and the cooling channel (10) may be adjacent to each other along the entire length of the channel pattern / path or alternatively, only a portion of their length.

[0060] exist Figure 1 In the embodiment shown, the paths of the fluid passage (6) and the cooling passage (10) are adjacent to each other along the entire passage path and substantially spaced apart along the entire length. In this configuration, the two sides of the fluid passage (6) are adjacent to the cooling passage (10) substantially along the entire length of the fluid passage (6).

[0061] In alternative arrangements, the passageways may be adjacent to each other and substantially spaced apart by the entire length of the two passageways (6, 10), or only a portion of the length of the two passageways (6, 10).

[0062] In a further arrangement of the implementation scheme, the fluid channel (6) may be adjacent to or in contact with at least one side of the cooling channel (10) along the entire length of the two channels (6, 10).

[0063] In a further arrangement, the fluid channel (6) may be adjacent to or in contact with at least one side of the cooling channel (10) along only a portion of the length of the two channels (6, 10).

[0064] exist Figure 1 and Figure 2 In this implementation, the fluid passage (6) includes a fluid passage inlet (12) and a fluid passage outlet (16), while the cooling passage (10) includes a cooling passage inlet (14) and a cooling passage outlet (18). The inlets (12, 14) are located in the region of the outer edge / boundary of the upper surface (20) of the plate structure (4). The outlets (16, 18) are located substantially at the center of the upper surface (20) of the plate structure (4). This allows the manufacturer to easily connect the inlets and outlets to the hydraulic circuit (not shown) of the FTH (1).

[0065] Alternatively, in a further arrangement not shown, the inlet (12, 14) and outlet (16, 18) may have interchanged positions on the plate structure (4) such that the inlet (12, 14) may be located at the center of the upper surface (20) of the plate structure (4), while the outlet (16, 18) may be located in the region of the outer edge / boundary of the upper surface (20) of the plate structure (4).

[0066] See now Figure 3 A second embodiment of the heating device (2) according to the invention is shown, which is similar to Figure 1 and Figure 2The embodiments are described, and similar reference numerals denote similar components. The heating device (2) includes a base structure in the form of a plate-like structure (4). Within the plate-like structure, fluid channels (6) and cooling channels (10) extend slightly spaced apart and along a spiral channel path. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The implementation scheme of the heating device (2) is the opposite of that of the other heating device. Figure 3 The heating device (2) is configured such that it extends along the length of the fluid channel (6) to only a single side of the fluid channel (6) adjacent to the entire length of the fluid channel (6).

[0067] exist Figure 3 In a further arrangement of the second embodiment, the two channels (6, 10) may be adjacent to and in contact along only one side of their length at least a portion or all of the length of the channels (6, 10).

[0068] In the second embodiment, the fluid channel inlet (12), fluid channel outlet (16), cooling channel inlet (14), and cooling channel outlet (18) are adjacent to each other and close to the outer edge / boundary of the upper surface (20) of the plate structure (4). This allows for easy connection to the hydraulic circuit (not shown) of the FTH (1), which has inlets (12, 14) and outlets (16, 18) in the same area of ​​the plate structure (4) and on the same side thereof, thereby simplifying the manufacture and installation of the heating device (2).

[0069] During use, Figure 1-3 The heating device (2) in any of the embodiments described herein is used in a beverage preparation apparatus. The operator can easily prepare a hot beverage by activating the FTH (1). Heating fluid (not shown) is sent from the fluid channel inlet (12) through the fluid channel (6) to the fluid channel outlet (16) at a flow rate between 1 and 20 ml / s. Simultaneously, the heating element (8) is activated by the user (who selects a hot beverage as his / her choice) and then exchanges heat with the fluid channel (6), thereby allowing the fluid (not shown) to be heated as it flows through the fluid channel (6) and prepared for beverage preparation.

[0070] After the hot beverage has been prepared, if the operator then requires a cold beverage, the fluid channel (6) has been emptied because the heating fluid (not shown) has been sent and used to prepare the beverage. Then, cooling fluid (not shown) is passed through the cooling channel inlet (14) and into the cooling channel (10). The initial temperature of the cooling fluid (not shown) does not exceed the ambient temperature and preferably does not exceed 25°C, and it is ensured that the temperature of the cooling channel (10) is lower than the temperature of the fluid channel (6). Therefore, residual heat in the material of the fluid channel (6), which is arranged adjacent to and substantially spaced apart along the entire length of the cooling channel (10), is exchanged with the cooling channel (10), thereby lowering the temperature of the fluid channel (6) and raising the temperature of the cooling fluid. In subsequent cooling steps, to further lower the temperature of the fluid channel (6), cooling fluid at a lower temperature not exceeding 10°C (and preferably not exceeding 5°C) is passed through the cooling channel (10), and further heat exchange occurs between the fluid channel (6) and the cooling channel (10). Subsequently, the cooled fluid channel (6), and thus the cooled FTH (1), are prepared to receive a larger amount of liquid (not shown) for the preparation of cold drinks, which flows through the fluid channel inlet (12), the fluid channel (6) and finally out from the fluid channel outlet (16) for the preparation of cold drinks.

[0071] See now Figure 4 It shows a schematic flow chart of a first embodiment of a beverage preparation apparatus (100) according to the present invention, in which there is no cooling fluid recirculation.

[0072] The beverage preparation apparatus (100) comprises four main components: a water tank (106); a refrigerator (116); a mixing chamber (124); and a heating device in the form of the FTH (126) of the present invention. Each of the water tank (106), refrigerator (116), mixing chamber (124), and FTH (126) is connected via a water circuit (102). The fluid circuit includes a plurality of conduits and valves. A water inlet (104) enters a water tank (106); downstream of the water tank (106) is a main water valve (108); downstream of the main water valve (108) are a refrigerator circuit valve (110) and a refrigerator bypass valve (112); downstream of the refrigerator circuit valve (110) is a refrigerator flow conduit (114) entering the refrigerator (116); downstream of the refrigerator bypass valve (112) is a beverage fluid conduit (117); downstream of the beverage fluid conduit (117) are a cooling water valve (118) and a mixing mixer valve (120); the mixing mixer valve (120) is connected to the mixing chamber (124), and downstream of the cooling water valve (118) is a cooling water conduit (122). Downstream of both the cooling water conduit (122) and the mixing chamber (124) is the FTH (126). A cooling water outlet (130) and a beverage outlet (128) are operably connected to the FTH (126).

[0073] Now will describe Figure 4 The use of the beverage preparation equipment (100). First, water enters the main water tank (106) through the water inlet (104). When it is desired that water flows through the water circuit (102), the main water valve (108) is opened, thereby allowing flow downstream.

[0074] When it is desired to prepare a hot beverage, the refrigerator loop valve (110) is closed to prevent water from flowing down the refrigerator flow conduit (114) into the refrigerator (116). Simultaneously, the refrigerator bypass valve (112) is opened, and water flows through the beverage fluid conduit (117). The cooling water valve (118) is closed, and the ingredient mixing valve (120) is opened, allowing water to flow into the ingredient mixing chamber (124) to mix with the ingredients. The water then flows into the FTH (126) and is heated there before being dispensed from the outlet (128). The beverage ingredients may be supplied from the ingredient tank (125) or may be present in a compartment, capsule, or the like within the ingredient mixing chamber (not shown). Finally, the beverage exits from the beverage outlet (128).

[0075] At this moment, the heated fluid passage within FTH (126) contains no beverage or heated fluid, but retains residual heat from the hot beverage and fluid. If it is then desired to dispense cold beverages through FTH (126), the mixing valve (120) is closed, the cooling water valve (118) is opened, the refrigerator bypass valve (112) is closed, and the refrigerator loop valve (110) is opened, allowing water to flow through the refrigerator flow conduit (114), through the refrigerator (116), and through the cooling water valve (118); wherein the water then flows through the cooling water conduit (122) and into FTH (126). Within FTH (126), the cooled water passes through the cooling passage, and heat transfer occurs between the residual heat in the fluid passage and the cooling passage, such that the fluid passage is cooled to no more than ambient temperature and preferably less than 10°C, while the cooled water in the cooling passage is heated and transported out of FTH (126) through the cooled water outlet (130).

[0076] The cold beverage can then be dispensed from the beverage device (100) by transporting chilled water from the refrigerator (116), through the beverage fluid conduit (117), through the ingredient mixing valve (120), and by passing the cold water through the ingredient mixing chamber (124) and FTH (126), and finally through the beverage outlet (128).

[0077] As can be seen from the above description, the beverage device (100) incorporating the FTH (126) of the present invention enables alternating hot and cold drinks to be dispensed through the same FTH (126), while ensuring that cold drinks are not unintentionally heated by residual heat in any fluid passage of the FTH (126), thereby avoiding potential off-flavors to the cold drinks or dispensing them at temperatures below ideal.

[0078] See now Figure 5 This illustrates a second embodiment of the beverage preparation apparatus (100) of the present invention. Figure 5 The beverage preparation equipment (100) is similar to the above. Figure 4 The beverage preparation equipment is described, and similar reference numerals indicate similar parts.

[0079] Figure 5 The beverage preparation apparatus (100) includes a fluid recirculation loop consisting of a cooling fluid recirculation conduit (132) operably connected to the FTH (126); a water recirculation tank (134), downstream of which is a recirculation water valve (136) that enables or prevents recirculated water from flowing back into the fluid loop (102) downstream of the main water valve (108).

[0080] Figure 5 The use of the beverage preparation equipment (100) is very similar to that described above. Figure 4 The beverage preparation equipment (100) described above, except for the cooled water that has passed through FTH (126) and absorbed the residual heat therein and thus heated up, can be recycled and returned to the water circuit (102) as follows.

[0081] First, the heated cooling fluid leaves the FTH (126) via the cooling fluid recirculation conduit (132) and enters the water recirculation tank (134). If needed, the recirculation water valve (136) can then be opened to allow the heated and recirculated cooling water to enter the water circuit (102) downstream of the main water valve (108). The heated recirculated cooling water then mixes with the water leaving the main water valve (108), thereby heating all the water in the water circuit (102). The heated water can then flow through the refrigerator bypass valve (112) and is available in the FTH (126), where the higher temperature of the water ensures that less energy is required to heat the water to any desired hot beverage temperature.

[0082] The water recirculation tank (134) can be maintained in the range of 20°C, preferably 30°C to 40°C. When another hot beverage is needed, the recirculated heated cooling fluid allows the device (100) to use less energy because the water temperature in the water recirculation tank (134) has been raised to a higher temperature by the heat exchanged between the fluid passage and the cooling passage within the FTH (126). This results in a more environmentally friendly device (100).

[0083] See Figure 6 The third embodiment of the device (100) of the present invention is similar to the above-described embodiments. Figure 4 and Figure 5 The device is described, and similar reference numerals denote similar parts. In Figure 6 In the device (100), the ingredient mixing chamber (124) and the ingredient tank (125) are located downstream of the FTH (126), and the ingredient mixing valve replaces the FTH valve (124). In this embodiment, when it is desired to dispense a hot beverage, the beverage fluid is passed through the FTH valve (124) and directly into the FTH (126) for heating, and then the heated water flows into the ingredient mixing chamber (124) to mix with the ingredients. The ingredients may be supplied from the ingredient tank (125) and / or a removable compartment, capsule, or other container comprising at least some beverage ingredients may be present in the ingredient mixing chamber (124). Figure 6 The embodiment of the device (100) shown is particularly suitable for brewing and dispensing hot beverages such as coffee and tea, because heated water from the FTH (126) can be used to extract coffee or tea ingredients and dissolve them in the water before dispensing the beverage from the beverage outlet (128). Cooling the FTH (126) and recirculating the heated cooling fluid similar to the above... Figure 4 The method described above shall be used to execute it.

[0084] Using a capsule, pod, or other container that includes beverage ingredients is particularly useful because different beverages can be dispensed sequentially by changing the capsule, pod, or container. For example, hot coffee can be dispensed from a coffee capsule or coffee pod, and the capsule can be removed and replaced with a milk capsule or milk pod. The FTH (126) can then be cooled, and the frozen liquid can be passed through the FTH (126) and into the milk capsule or milk pod to dispense cold or chilled milk.

[0085] The above embodiments are described by way of example only. Many variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A heating device comprising a base structure including a heating element and a fluid channel disposed within the base structure, the heating element at least partially matching the fluid channel path of at least one fluid channel for heating fluid within the fluid channel, the heating device further comprising a cooling device arranged for cooling the fluid channel. The cooling device includes a cooling channel disposed within the base structure, the fluid channel and the cooling channel extending parallel and adjacent to each other, wherein when there is no heated fluid in the fluid channel, the cooling channel is arranged to cool the fluid channel by absorbing residual heat in the fluid channel, so that the fluid channel can pass through and discharge another fluid.

2. The heating device according to claim 1, wherein the base structure comprises a plate-like structure.

3. The heating device according to claim 1, wherein the base structure includes a thermally conductive material through which heat is exchanged between the fluid channel and the cooling device.

4. The heating device according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the cooling channel is a channel separate from at least a portion of the fluid channel.

5. The heating device according to claim 1, wherein the cooling channel is located above or below the fluid channel.

6. The heating device according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the cooling channel is adjacent to at least one side of at least a portion of the fluid channel.

7. The heating device according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the cooling channel is adjacent to at least two different sides of at least a portion of the fluid channel.

8. The heating device according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the cooling channel is adjacent to or in contact with at least one side of at least a portion of the fluid channel.

9. The heating device according to claim 8, wherein at least a portion of the cooling channel is adjacent to or in contact with at least two different sides of at least a portion of the fluid channel.

10. The heating device of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the fluid channel and at least a portion of the cooling channel are arranged in an alternating pattern across or through at least a portion of the base structure.

11. The heating device according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the fluid channel and at least a portion of the cooling channel are nonlinear.

12. The heating device according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the fluid channel and at least a portion of the cooling channel comprises a shape selected from spiral, wavy, labyrinthine, serrated, and any combination thereof.

13. The heating device according to claim 1, wherein, in use, the fluid in the fluid channel and the fluid in the cooling channel flow in the same or opposite directions.

14. The heating device according to claim 1, wherein, in use, the fluid in the fluid channel comprises liquid and / or gas.

15. The heating device according to claim 14, wherein the liquid comprises water and / or milk.

16. The heating device according to any one of claims 1, 7 to 15, wherein, in use, the fluid in the cooling channel comprises a liquid.

17. A method for cooling a fluid passage in a heating device according to claim 1, the method comprising the steps of: a. To transfer heated fluid through the fluid channel; as well as b. When there is no heated fluid in the fluid channel, the cooling device is used to cool the fluid channel so that another fluid can pass through and be discharged from the fluid channel.

18. The method of claim 17, the method comprising a cooling channel of the heating device claimed in claim 5, wherein the method further comprises the step of conveying cooling fluid through the cooling channel to cool the fluid channel via heat transfer.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the method further comprises the step of recirculating the cooling fluid after the cooling fluid has passed through the cooling channel.

20. The method of claim 18 or 19, wherein the step of cooling the fluid within the cooling channel includes a first cooling step, wherein the temperature of the cooling fluid does not exceed the ambient temperature.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the step of cooling the fluid in the cooling channel further comprises a second cooling step, wherein the temperature of the cooling fluid does not exceed 10°C.

22. The method according to any one of claims 19 to 20, wherein the cooling fluid is recirculated.

23. The method according to any one of claims 19 to 20, wherein the heat absorbed by the cooling fluid is used to heat another fluid.

24. A beverage preparation apparatus, the beverage preparation apparatus comprising a heating device according to any one of claims 1, 2, 7 to 16.

25. The beverage preparation equipment according to claim 24, wherein the equipment is a brewing beverage preparation equipment.

26. A method for preparing one or more beverages, the method comprising the following steps: Heating beverage fluid in the fluid channel of the heating element of the beverage preparation apparatus according to claim 24; The heated beverage fluid is discharged from the fluid channel; Cooling the fluid channel; as well as To allow another fluid to pass through and then drain the fluid channel.

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