Filling device, corresponding use and corresponding kit

Abstract

The invention relates to a filling device (1) for automatically refilling a storage container (8) of a beverage machine (27), in which according to the invention a supply pump (5) is designed as a positive displacement pump, which fills the storage container (8) from a fluid inlet (2) via a fluid outlet (11).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a filling device having a fluid connection element which is arranged to be connected to a fluid line and / or a fluid supply device, at least one filling state sensor and a feed pump which is fluidically coupled to the fluid connection element, wherein the feed pump can be controlled by the at least one filling state sensor and has a fluid outlet which is fluidically coupled to the feed pump. Background Art

[0002] Such a filling device can be used, for example, to be connected to a beverage machine, in particular to a coffee machine or a fully automatic coffee machine, in order to provide these coffee machines with a fluid supply from a drinking water line or another fluid line. Regular refilling of a preferably transportable storage container, such as a water tank, can thus be omitted. For example, it has been proposed in EP 3 166 458 B1 to provide a connection of the fluid line to a shut-off valve in order to be able to shut off the supply when necessary, for example when the storage container is full. This can be monitored, for example, by a level sensor of the storage container.

[0003] In general, the beverage machine described here can be designed as a coffee machine or a fully automatic coffee machine, i.e. in particular a coffee machine or a fully automatic coffee machine with a built-in grinder and / or with a built-in metering device for the ground material. In fully automatic coffee machines, the need for automated refilling of the storage container, in particular automated refilling of the water tank, is particularly strong, since in these machines the process of providing the other ingredients, such as the ground material and / or the brewing material, is already highly automated. Summary of the invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide an alternative to the previously commonly used structures.

[0005] In order to solve the above problems, the invention provides the features of claim 1. In particular, in order to achieve the above objects in a filling device of the above type, the invention proposes that the feed pump is designed as a volumetric pump. In this way, when the feed pump can seal the fluid line in a stationary state, a separate shut-off valve can be omitted.

[0006] The beverage machine can, for example, advantageously be used as a machine for preparing hot and / or cold drinks and / or a machine for preparing coffee-based beverages, such as coffee products and / or coffee milk-based beverages (hot and / or cold drinks), and / or for preparing beverages without coffee, such as black tea-based and / or herbal tea-based and / or fruit tea-based beverages (hot and / or cold drinks), and / or for preparing composite beverages (hot and / or cold drinks).

[0007] Filling state sensors of known type are provided, for example, for detecting and / or monitoring the filling volume and / or for detecting and / or monitoring the water level and / or for detecting and / or monitoring the amount of fluid supplied and / or removed and can record and / or detect relevant parameters on the storage container.

[0008] For example, a positive displacement pump is characterized in that the medium to be pumped (here a fluid) is pumped through a closed volume. When the positive displacement pump is closed, this leads to a spontaneous sealing of the fluid line.

[0009] For example, (drinking) water or other aqueous liquids (such as milk) can be used as fluid.

[0010] In an advantageous embodiment, it can be provided that the feed pump is designed as a rotary pump, in particular a gear pump or a vane pump, or as a peristaltic pump or a reciprocating piston pump, in particular a diaphragm pump. This means that different positive displacement pumps can be used. Peristaltic pumps, for example in the form of extrusion pumps, represent a particularly simple variant in terms of construction.

[0011] In an advantageous embodiment, it can be provided that the feed pump has a barrier pressure which is at least higher than the pressure in the fluid line. This ensures that the fluid line is reliably sealed at the possible operating pressure even when the pump is at rest. Depending on the situation and the regulatory requirements, this may correspond to an overpressure of 2-15 bar, for example in the case of drinking water lines.

[0012] The barrier pressure can be characterized, for example, as the pressure on the input side of the feed pump at which the feed pump remains leak-free in a stationary state. At higher pressures, it may occur that the material conveyed by the feed pump driven by pressure accidentally penetrates.

[0013] In an advantageous embodiment, it can be provided that the feed pump has a wet suction height of at least 80 cm. This means that when installed as a tabletop device, suction can be achieved from a fluid supply device located on the placement surface of a table (thus below the filling device).

[0014] The suction height can be characterized, for example, as a delivery height above which the delivery pump cannot achieve suction of the delivery medium. The wet suction height is characterized, for example, in that any sealing areas are wetted during suction, in particular by the fluid to be pumped, so that leakage is negligible compared to fluids of lower viscosity, such as air.

[0015] Alternatively or additionally, the invention provides for achieving the object with the features of the first independent claim relating to a filling device. In particular, in order to achieve the object in a filling device of the type mentioned above, it is proposed according to the invention that the pressure control valve is arranged fluidically between the water connection and the supply pump. Thus, the switching state of the pressure control valve can be specified by operating the supply pump, which in operation can generate a pressure reduction on the outlet side of the valve, or more preferably, by a fluid connection to the outlet side of the supply pump, which generates a pressure increase on the outlet side, thereby leading to the opening of the valve, and / or, for example, a stationary supply pump can lead to the closing of the valve.

[0016] The pressure control valve preferably has at least one open position and one closed position, which is determined, for example, as a function of the pressure on the outlet side.

[0017] For example, the pressure control valve can be designed as a non-electrically controlled valve, in particular a mechanically controlled valve. Therefore, power supply lines and / or control lines near the valve can be omitted.

[0018] For example, the pressure control valve can have a pressure limiter, in particular for setting a maximum pressure on the outlet side, or a pressure reducer, in particular for reducing the outlet side pressure relative to the inlet side pressure. This means that even higher operating pressures than the barrier pressure can be tolerated.

[0019] In an advantageous embodiment, it can be provided that the pressure control valve is a pressure control non-return valve. This means that a particularly simple, readily available valve can be used. For example, a pressure control non-return valve is characterized in that a control input is formed which, above a defined pressure or defined pressure difference across the valve, forces the valve to open, regardless of the flow direction.

[0020] Here, it can be provided that the non-return valve is arranged in the blocking direction, so that it can be easily closed automatically when the feed pump stops.

[0021] In an advantageous embodiment, it can be provided that the control line of the pressure control valve is fluidically connected to the outlet side of the feed pump. In this way, a simple way of establishing the aforementioned fluid connection can be provided.

[0022] Provision can be made here for the control line to branch on the input side to a flow restrictor or flow reducer connected downstream of the feed pump. Thus, when the feed pump is operated in the control line, the pressure can be maintained in a simple manner, for example by adapting the feed efficiency of the feed pump by flow restriction or flow reduction, which keeps the nonreturn valve open.

[0023] In an advantageous embodiment, it can be provided that the pressure limiter on the pressure control valve is arranged below the maximum barrier pressure of the feed pump. It can thus be easily ensured that the barrier pressure of the feed pump is not exceeded.

[0024] In an advantageous embodiment, it can be provided that the pressure limiter is designed to be leak-free at least in the operating pressure range, in particular the pressure range of the fluid line described above. This means that a gradual increase in pressure can be avoided even if the feed pump is stopped for a long time.

[0025] Alternatively or additionally, the features of the second independent claim relating to a filling device are provided according to the invention to achieve the object. In particular, in order to achieve the object in a filling device of the type mentioned above, it is provided according to the invention that the fluid outlet height is variable. A filling device is thus provided which can be easily adapted to different coffee machines, in particular different water tanks or storage containers, for example by placing the fluid outlet so that it can be positioned above the filling area of ​​the water tank or storage container. For example, a minimum distance of the fluid outlet from a maximum filling level, which can be defined, for example, by an overflow, can be easily set. This is a safety measure to prevent the fluid supply device from being sucked back into the drinking water line by the supply pump.

[0026] It can be provided that the fluid outlet is defined relative to a coupling device, by means of which the filling device can be fastened to the coffee machine, and / or relative to a placement surface and / or relative to a base body of the filling device. Thus, a characteristic variable can be used for height adjustment, relative to which the container height of, for example, the aforementioned storage container can be defined.

[0027] In an advantageous embodiment, it can be provided that at least one fill level sensor is highly variable, so that a device-specific maximum fill level or a minimum fill level, starting from which refilling takes place, can be easily set.

[0028] This can be achieved, for example, by coupling a filling state sensor to the fluid outlet. Thus, the maximum filling level can be easily and / or fail-safely adjusted to the position of the fluid outlet. This also enables a simple and / or fail-safe setting of a free path between the fluid outlet and the filling level of the storage container, for example to avoid suck-back.

[0029] For example, the filling state sensor can be provided as a shut-off sensor. Thus, for example, exceeding a maximum filling level can lead to an automatic shut-off of, in particular, the already mentioned feed pump and / or to an automatic shut-off valve on the input side.

[0030] In an advantageous embodiment, it can be provided that at least one level sensor, which is preferably configured as a switch-on sensor, is arranged unchanged relative to, for example, the already mentioned coupling device, by means of which the filling device can be fastened to the coffee machine. This means that no device-specific settings for the switch-on sensor are required. The switch-on sensor can, for example, be configured to automatically switch on, for example, the already mentioned feed pump, and / or to open, for example, the already mentioned shut-off valve.

[0031] Alternatively or additionally, the invention provides for achieving the object according to the features of the third independent claim relating to a filling device. In particular, in order to achieve the object in a filling device of the type mentioned above, it is proposed according to the invention that an overflow is provided which can be coupled to a storage container or a water tank of the coffee machine. This means that unwanted amounts of fluid can be removed.

[0032] For example, the overflow can be arranged to define a maximum filling level of the storage container, in particular a water tank, independently of the level sensor or for safety in addition to the level sensor. This means that an oversupply of fluid can be safely excluded.

[0033] It can be provided here that the overflow can be fluidically coupled to a drip tray and / or an existing drainage system of the coffee machine.A common method for removing excess liquid is thus described.

[0034] The connection is preferably designed as a valveless connection, for example in order to exclude additional error sources.

[0035] In an advantageous embodiment, it can be provided that overflow can be monitored with an overflow sensor. This means that excess liquid escaping can be detected.

[0036] This can be used, for example, to automatically shut down a supply pump and / or a water connection. This means that fault safety can be increased.

[0037] A preferred application of the invention provides the use of a filling device according to the invention, in particular as described above and / or according to one of the claims relating to a filling device, for refilling a storage container, in particular a water tank, a coffee machine, in particular a fully automatic coffee machine.

[0038] Here, for example, it can be provided that the water connection is connected to a drinking water pipe and / or a drinking water supply. This enables automatic replenishment of an unlimited or at least very large amount of drinking water.

[0039] Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that an overflow, such as the one already mentioned, is connected to an existing drainage system and / or a collecting pan. This allows for easy removal of excess fluid delivered by the feed pump and / or entering via the shutoff valve.

[0040] In one embodiment of the use, it can be provided that an opening is formed in a storage container, in particular a water tank, of the coffee machine, in which opening an overflow connection is arranged and which can be fluidically connected to the overflow. This allows the coffee machine to be easily adapted to a filling device.

[0041] The coupling is preferably a detachable coupling. Thus, the storage container can still be removed, for example for manual refilling and / or cleaning.

[0042] Alternatively or additionally, the invention may be used to form a kit comprising a coffee machine, in particular a fully automatic coffee machine, and a filling device according to the invention, in particular as described above and / or according to one of the claims relating to a filling device.

[0043] Provision can be made here that, at least in the use position, the filling device is coupled to the coffee machine in such a way that a fluid outlet, such as the one already mentioned, leads to a storage container, such as the one already mentioned, in particular a water tank. Automatic filling of the storage container can thus be easily achieved.

[0044] The invention will now be described in more detail using exemplary embodiments, but the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments. Further exemplary embodiments are produced by combining features of single or multiple claims with each other and / or with single or multiple features of the exemplary embodiments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0045] In the attached figure:

[0046] Figure 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a filling device according to the invention on a fluid supply device;

[0047] Figure 2 Shows Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of a filling device of FIG. 1 , wherein the fluid outlet is extended;

[0048] Figure 3 shows a fluid circuit diagram of a filling device according to the present invention;

[0049] Figure 4 Another fluid circuit diagram of a filling device is shown;

[0050] Figure 5 A fluid circuit diagram of a third filling device is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0051] Figure 1 A filling device is shown which is designated as a whole by 1. The filling device 1 has a fluid connection 2 which is provided for connection to a fluid line (not shown) and / or to a fluid supply (likewise not shown).

[0052] The filling device 1 has at least one filling level sensor 3 , which is designed here, for example, as a closing sensor, and at least one filling level sensor 4 , which is designed here, for example, as a switching sensor.

[0053] The filling device 1 also has a feed pump 5 which is connected to the fluid connection 2 and can convey fluid from the fluid connection.

[0054] In this example, the fluid connection 2 is a water connection which can be connected to a drinking water line, for example. The pumped medium is therefore drinking water.

[0055] The feed pump 5 can be controlled by the fill level sensors 3, 4 in such a way that the feed pump 5 can be controlled when a maximum fill level 6 monitored by the fill level sensor 3 is exceeded and / or when a minimum fill level 7 monitored by the fill level sensor 4 is fallen below. For example, the fill level sensor 3 can switch the feed pump 5 off, while the fill level sensor 4 can switch the feed pump 5 on.

[0056] Figure 1 The filling device 1 is shown in an operating position in which it is coupled to a storage container 8 of a coffee machine 9 which is only shown.

[0057] Thus, the maximum fill level 6 or the minimum fill level 7 is dependent on the content 10 of the storage container 8 .

[0058] The coffee machine 9 is designed in a manner known per se as a fully automatic coffee machine having a coffee bean supply device, a grinder, a brewing device, a control unit and other components. Figure 1 These parts are omitted in the illustration.

[0059] The feed pump 5 is designed as a positive displacement pump, so that the fluid connection 2 does not have to be provided with an additional closing device.

[0060] In the exemplary embodiment, the feed pump 5 is designed as a peristaltic pump, in particular a squeeze pump. However, in further exemplary embodiments, other positive displacement pumps are used, in particular rotary pumps such as gear pumps or vane pumps or reciprocating piston pumps such as diaphragm pumps.

[0061] When the supply pump 5 is in a stopped state, the supply pump 5 ensures that the water outlet 11 is fluidically separated from the fluid connection 2 .

[0062] During operation, the supply pump 5 delivers fluid, here drinking water, from the fluid connection 2 to the fluid outlet 11. The filling state sensors 3, 4 are each designed as a level sensor for detecting and / or monitoring the water level. Alternatively, in a further exemplary embodiment, the filling state sensors 3, 4 are designed to monitor and / or detect the filling volume, for example by detecting weight.

[0063] In order to achieve fluid separation between the fluid connection 2 and the fluid outlet 11 , the supply pump 5 has a blocking pressure. When the supply pump 5 is in a stopped state, the fluid cannot be moved by the supply pump 5 when the supply pump 5 reaches the blocking pressure.

[0064] In the exemplary embodiment, the barrier pressure is set such that it is higher than the operating pressure normally present at the fluid connection 2. In the example, the operating pressure of drinking water lines is between 2 bar and 15 bar according to standard specifications.

[0065] The pressure control valve 13 designed as a pressure limiter is designed to be leak-free, so that even if the feed pump 5 is blocked, the pressure limitation remains stable over a long period of time.

[0066] In another exemplary embodiment, not shown, the feed pump 5 is connected via the fluid connection 2 to a fluid supply, for example a water tank.

[0067] Typically, the fluid supply should be placed at a different height than the filling device 1 .

[0068] For this purpose, the feed pump 5 has a pumping capacity which includes a wet suction height of at least 80 cm, for example in order to overcome height differences from table to table's placement surface.

[0069] Figure 3 Shown according to Figure 1 Flow diagram of the filling device 1.

[0070] It can be seen that the fluid section 12 between the fluid connection 2 and the feed pump 5 is designed to be valveless.

[0071] Figure 4 A variant is shown in which the pressure control valve 13 is arranged in the flow section 12 .

[0072] The pressure control valve 13 is controlled in such a way that it opens when the outlet-side pressure drops, and closes when the pressure rises above a defined threshold value.

[0073] This makes it possible to open the pressure control valve 13 when the supply pump 5 causes the pressure on the output side of the pressure control valve 13 to decrease, and close the pressure control valve 13 when the supply pump 5 is in a stationary state and the pressure on the output side of the pressure control valve 13 increases.

[0074] This variant is advantageous if, for example, the operating pressure at the fluid connection 2 exceeds the barrier pressure of the feed pump 5 .

[0075] The adjustable pressure control valve 13 can be adjusted so that the pressure control valve 13 is closed when the pressure on its outlet side approaches the blocking pressure.

[0076] The pressure control valve 13 can be designed, for example, to be purely mechanical, ie, not electrically controllable.

[0077] The pressure control valve 13 designed as a pressure limiter is designed to be leak-free, so that even if the feed pump 5 is blocked, the pressure limitation remains stable over a long period of time.

[0078] In this way, a pressure limiter or at least a pressure reducer can be formed.

[0079] Figure 5 A further possibility for a fluid connection in the filling device 1 is shown.

[0080] Functionally and / or structurally similar or identical components and functional units are denoted by the same reference numerals and are not described separately. Therefore, the explanations of the previous exemplary embodiments apply accordingly to this exemplary embodiment.

[0081] according to Figure 5 The exemplary embodiment of FIG. 5 differs from the preceding exemplary embodiments in that a further pressure control valve 14 is present upstream of the feed pump 5 .

[0082] The pressure control valve 14 is a check valve inserted in the blocking direction.

[0083] The pressure control valve 14 can be forced open via a control line 15 .

[0084] The control line 15 branches off here from the output side of the feed pump 5. Thus, during the feed operation of the feed pump 5, an operating pressure can be built up, which is delivered to the pressure control valve 14 via the control line 15, so that the pressure control valve 14 opens. This ensures that the fluid automatically flows through the fluid connection 2 when the feed pump 5 is started.

[0085] In order to be able to maintain the operating pressure in the control line 15 , downstream of the branch 16 there is a preferably adjustable flow restrictor or reducer 17 .

[0086] Preferably, the flow rate is set by means of a flow restrictor or reducer 17 so that it is lower than the supply efficiency of the supply pump 5 so that sufficient pressure can be built up in the control line 15 to keep the pressure control valve 14 open as long as the supply pump 5 supplies.

[0087] The filling device 1 also has a coupling device 18 , by means of which the filling device can be docked or coupled to the coffee machine 9 in a flat manner.

[0088] The fluid outlet 11 is arranged on a carrier 19 , which is arranged to be variable in height relative to a base body 20 , in particular displaceable in the vertical direction.

[0089] Figure 2 The position of the carrier 19 relative to the base body 20 is shown, wherein the fluid outlet 11 is adapted to a taller storage container 8 .

[0090] It can be seen that the fill level sensors 3 , 4 and the associated fill levels 6 , 7 are also offset.

[0091] In an alternative embodiment, the fill level sensor 4 designed as a switch-on sensor remains stationary during the displacement or vertical adjustment of the carrier 19 .

[0092] The base body 20 may be characterized, for example, in that the fluid connector 2 is formed thereon.

[0093] exist Figure 1 It can still be seen in FIG. 8 that a recess 21 is integrated into the storage container 8 , through which recess the fluid outlet 11 passes.

[0094] The height adjustability of the fluid outlet 11 enables the filling device 1 to be adapted to storage containers 8 whose recesses 21 are located at different heights.

[0095] The filling device 1 also has a control device 22 , by means of which the fill level sensors 3 , 4 and the feed pump 5 as well as any valves 13 , 14 present can be controlled.

[0096] An overflow 23 is formed in the base body 20 and is fluidically connected to a drain connection 24 .

[0097] The drainage connection 24 can be connected to, for example, a drip tray of the coffee machine 9 or an existing drainage system such as a sink or the like, or a branch in a siphon.

[0098] An opening 26 is integrated into the storage container 8 , into which the overflow connection 25 is inserted.

[0099] The overflow connection 25 is tightly connected to the storage container 8 and can be coupled to the overflow portion 23 when inserted into the storage container 8 .

[0100] This creates an overflow system that safely removes excess fill above the maximum fill level.

[0101] By forming the opening 26 and the recess 21 and by inserting the overflow connection 25 , the storage container 8 can be prepared for use in the filling device 1 .

[0102] The coffee machine 9 can then be coupled to the filling device 1 .

[0103] In accordance with Figure 1 In the coupled position, the fluid outlet 11 opens into the storage container 8 and the fill level sensors 3 , 4 monitor the fill levels 6 , 7 of the content 10 in the storage container 8 .

[0104] In a filling device 1 for automatically refilling a storage container 8 of a coffee machine 9 , it is proposed that the feed pump 5 is designed as a positive displacement pump, which fills the storage container 8 from the fluid connection 2 via the fluid outlet 11 .

[0105] Reference numerals list

[0106] 1 Filling device

[0107] 2 Fluid connections

[0108] 3 Filling status sensor

[0109] 4 Filling status sensor

[0110] 5 Supply pump

[0111] 6 Maximum fill level

[0112] 7 Minimum fill level

[0113] 8 Storage Containers

[0114] 9. Coffee Machine

[0115] 10 Contents

[0116] 11 Fluid outlet

[0117] 12 Fluid Section

[0118] 13Pressure control valve, pressure limiter

[0119] 14Pressure control valve, check valve

[0120] 15 Control pipeline

[0121] 16 Branches

[0122] 17 Flow restrictor or reducer

[0123] 18 Connecting device

[0124] 19 Bearing

[0125] 20 Matrix

[0126] 21 recess

[0127] 22 Control Devices

[0128] 23 Overflow

[0129] 24 Drainage connection

[0130] 25 Overflow connection

[0131] 26 Opening

[0132] 27 Beverage Machine

Claims

1. A filling device (1), in particular a filling device for connection to a beverage machine (27), the filling device having a fluid connection (2), the fluid connection being arranged for connection to a fluid line and / or a fluid supply, and having at least one filling state sensor (3, 4) and a feed pump (5) fluidically connected to the fluid connection (2), wherein the feed pump (5) can be controlled by the at least one filling state sensor (3, 4), and the filling device having a fluid outlet (11) fluidically connected to the feed pump (5), characterized in that The feed pump (5) is designed as a positive displacement pump.

2. Filling device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that The feed pump (5) is designed as a rotary pump, in particular a gear pump or a vane pump, or as a peristaltic pump or a reciprocating piston pump, in particular a diaphragm pump.

3. Filling device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The feed pump (5) has a barrier pressure which is at least higher than the pressure in the fluid line.

4. Filling device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The feed pump (5) has a wet suction height of at least 80 cm.

5. Filling device (1) according to the preamble of claim 1 or according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that A pressure control valve (13), preferably a non-electrically controllable valve and / or a pressure limiter, is fluidly arranged between the water connection and the feed pump (5).

6. Filling device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The pressure control valve (14) is a pressure control non-return valve, in particular wherein the non-return valve is arranged in the blocking direction and / or a control line (15) of the pressure control valve (14) is fluidically connected to the output side of the feed pump (5), in particular to the input side of a flow restrictor or flow reducer (17) downstream of the feed pump (5).

7. Filling device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The pressure limiter is set to be lower than the maximum blocking pressure of the feed pump (5).

8. Filling device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The pressure limiter is designed to be leak-free at least within the operating pressure range.

9. Filling device (1) according to the preamble of claim 1 or according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The fluid outlet (11) is particularly height-variable relative to a coupling device (18) by means of which the filling device (1) can be fastened to a beverage machine (27), in particular a coffee machine (9) or a fully automatic coffee machine, and / or relative to a placement surface and / or relative to a base body (20) of the filling device (1).

10. Filling device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that At least one filling state sensor (3, 4), which is preferably configured as a closing sensor, is height-variable, in particular coupled to the fluid outlet (11).

11. Filling device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that At least one level sensor (6, 7), which is preferably configured as a switch-on sensor, is arranged fixedly relative to a coupling device (18) for fastening the filling device (1) to a beverage machine (27).

12. Filling device (1) according to the preamble of claim 1 or according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that An overflow (23) is provided, which can be connected to a storage container (8), in particular a water tank, of a beverage machine (27), in particular to a coffee machine (9) or a fully automatic coffee machine, in particular in order to at least define a maximum filling level (6) of the storage container (8), in particular wherein the overflow (23) can be connected, in particular without a valve, to a drain pan and / or an existing drainage system of the beverage machine (27).

13. Filling device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The overflow (23) can be monitored by means of an overflow sensor, in particular in order to automatically shut down the feed pump (5) and / or the water connection.

14. Use of a filling device (1) according to any of the preceding claims for refilling a fluid supply device, in particular a water tank of a beverage machine (27), in particular a coffee machine (9) or a fully automatic coffee machine, in particular wherein: The water connection is connected to a drinking water pipe and / or a drinking water supply and / or wherein the overflow (23) or an overflow (23) is connected to an existing drainage system and / or a water collection pan.

15. The use according to claim 14, characterized in that An opening (26) is introduced into a storage container (8) of the beverage machine or into the storage container (8), in particular a water tank, in which an overflow connection (25) is arranged and which can be fluidically coupled to the overflow (23), in particular releasably coupled to the overflow (23).

16. A kit comprising a beverage machine (27), in particular a coffee machine (9) or a fully automatic coffee machine, and a filling device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, in particular wherein the filling device (1) is connected to the beverage machine (27) at least in the use position so that the fluid outlet (11) or one fluid outlet (11) leads to a storage container (8), in particular a water tank.

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