Beverage dispenser

Abstract

The invention relates to a beverage dispenser comprising: a coffee machine for producing hot coffee and hot coffee mixed with milk, said coffee machine comprising a milk tank capable of replenishing cold milk; -a refrigerator comprising a refrigerating chamber and a freezing chamber; -a coffee cooler for cooling hot coffee produced by the coffee machine, said coffee cooler comprising a container to contain coffee dispensed from the coffee machine, and a wall of said container comprising a circulation path for a cooling fluid, wherein a freezing compartment of the refrigerator comprises a cooling fluid container for storing the cooling fluid, and wherein the beverage dispenser comprises an external cooling fluid circuit configured to circulate the cooling fluid between the cooling fluid container and a circulation path of the coffee cooler.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the preparation of cold coffee and cold beverages. Background Art

[0002] There are many solutions for preparing cold coffee from hot extracted coffee. Most solutions propose cooling the hot coffee on the way from the coffee preparation unit to the dispensing area and the drinking cup. The dispensing path can be arranged in contact with a heat exchanger supplied with a cooling fluid presenting a low temperature.

[0003] If the temperature of the cooling fluid is not low enough, the heat exchange cannot significantly reduce the temperature of the hot coffee during its dispensing, and the dispensed coffee cannot reach a temperature that can actually feel cold. This is usually compensated by adding ice that dilutes the coffee.

[0004] Using a very cold cooling fluid (exhibiting a temperature significantly below 0° C.), the heat exchange can be faster, but this solution requires a coffee machine that integrates a cold generation unit. Generally speaking, the cold generation unit comprises a refrigeration circuit with a refrigerant circulating therein for generating low temperatures, and comprises a compressor for handling the refrigerant, a condenser, an expansion device (expansion valve or capillary tube) and an evaporator. These devices significantly increase the cost of the coffee machine, and it is rare to implement a heat exchanger that uses only the cold generation unit for the hot coffee dispensing line.

[0005] The purpose of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems. Summary of the invention

[0006] The objects of the invention are achieved by a beverage dispenser according to claims 1 to 8 . BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Specific embodiments of the present invention are further described by way of example with reference to the following drawings, in which:

[0008] - Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a beverage dispenser according to the present invention,

[0009] - Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a coffee cooler.

[0010] - Figure 3A , 3B A separate view of the cooling fluid container 4 is shown.

[0011] - Figure 3C is a schematic diagram of a cooling fluid container 4, an internal cooling fluid circuit and a cold energy generating unit,

[0012] - Figure 3D and Figure 3E According to Figure 3BCross-sectional view of plane AA and plane BB.

[0013] - Figure 4 Different configurations of beverage dispensers according to the invention are illustrated. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] Figure 1 A beverage dispenser 100 according to the invention is illustrated. The dispenser is an assembly of different subunits that are fluidly connected.

[0015] The first subunit is a coffee machine 1. The coffee machine is configured to produce hot coffee. Preferably, the hot coffee is prepared by extracting roast and ground coffee with hot water in a brewing unit 11, which may include a replenishable coffee bean container 15 and a grinder (not shown) to supply a dose of roast and ground coffee to the brewing unit.

[0016] Alternatively, the coffee machine may prepare hot coffee from a coffee capsule, the brewing unit being a capsule holder configured to open the capsule and extract coffee therefrom.

[0017] In a less preferred mode, the coffee may be prepared from soluble coffee and the coffee machine comprises a mixing chamber to mix a dose of soluble coffee with hot water.

[0018] The prepared coffee is dispensed into cups 5 at the dispensing area of ​​the dispenser.

[0019] The coffee machine is configured to be able to add fresh milk to the prepared coffee. Therefore, the coffee machine comprises a fresh milk tank 12 and means for dispensing a dose of milk into a cup 5a at a dispensing area. The milk can be frothed during its dispensing. The milk tank is configured to store a certain amount of milk during the day and is therefore preferably insulated. It can be replenished with cold fresh milk.

[0020] The second subunit of the beverage dispenser is a refrigerator 2. The refrigerator comprises a refrigerating chamber 21 which enables a large number of fresh milk bottles to be stored. Thus, the milk tank 12 of the coffee machine can always be refilled with milk at a suitable low temperature.

[0021] The temperature in the refrigerator is above 0°C, usually between 5°C and 10°C.

[0022] Furthermore, the refrigerator comprises a freezing chamber 2, in which the temperature is below 0°C, preferably below -15°C.

[0023] The third subunit of the beverage dispenser is a coffee cooler 3 .

[0024] The device is configured to cool hot coffee produced by the coffee machine. Therefore, the coffee machine comprises a coffee outlet to dispense the prepared hot coffee from the brewing unit 11 to a coffee cooler, instead of into a cup 5a positioned below the brewing unit. The coffee cooler comprises a container 31 for receiving and holding the hot coffee dispensed from the coffee machine. The wall 31 of the container comprises a circulation path 32 for a cooling fluid. Therefore, the cooling device enables cooling of the hot coffee by heat exchange with the cooling fluid via contact along the wall of the container.

[0025] Figure 2 One possible embodiment of a coffee cooler is illustrated. The coffee cooler comprises liquid mixing means, such as the illustrated beater 33 actuated by a motor 34, for enabling the coffee to circulate inside the container and improving heat exchange along the walls 311 of the container.

[0026] The pinch valve 35 at the dispensing outlet 36 of the container enables the coffee to remain in the container for a longer period of time until the desired low temperature is reached.

[0027] The container has a double-walled construction so that a cooling fluid can circulate inside the walls to exchange heat with the hot coffee being stirred inside the container. The cooling fluid is provided by an external cooling fluid circuit 41 connected to a cooling fluid supply source. The supply source of the cooling fluid is a cooling fluid container 4, which is part of the circuit. Within this circuit 41, the circulation is activated by a pump 44. This cooling fluid container 4 provides a large amount of cooling fluid, which is able to cool the continuously extracted coffee, thus ensuring a high throughput for cold coffee.

[0028] In the beverage dispenser, the cooling fluid container 4 is positioned in the freezer compartment 22 of the refrigerator. Thus, the cold generating unit of the refrigerator can be used to cool the milk bottle and the cooling fluid of the coffee cooler at the same time. No additional cold generating unit dedicated to the coffee cooler subunit is required.

[0029] The use of the cold generating unit of the refrigerator is shared between different devices of the beverage dispenser and the costs are optimized.

[0030] The container for cooling fluid provides a significant amount of cooling fluid at low temperature, thereby enabling rapid cooling of hot coffee or enabling a consecutive cooling operation of several hot coffees or simultaneous cooling of several coffees.

[0031] Preferably, the different subunits 1 , 2 , 3 are enclosed in housings 61 , 62 .

[0032] Figure 3A4 is an isolated view of a specific embodiment of a cooling fluid container 4. The container includes a plurality of walls 40 defining the internal volume of the container. A plurality of inlets and outlets 42, 43, 72, 73 are arranged in one wall or located in different walls, depending on the design of the container and the architecture of the beverage dispenser. A wall is penetrated by a rotating shaft 451. Figure 3B As shown, where the wall is made transparent, the shaft 451 cooperates with two stirrers 45a, 45b designed to stir the cooling fluid in the container.

[0033] Both of the inlet and the outlet are connected to the external cooling fluid circuit 41 of the coffee cooler. One is the refrigerator external outlet 42 that supplies low-temperature cooling fluid to the external cooling fluid circuit 41 and the coffee cooler 3, and the other is the refrigerator external inlet 43 through which the heated cooling fluid flows back to the container 4.

[0034] When the container 4 is positioned in the freezer compartment, an opening is provided in the housing of the refrigerator.

[0035] The other two inlets and outlets connect to Figure 3C Schematically shown in the internal cooling fluid circuit 7. The internal cooling fluid circuit is configured to circulate the cooling fluid between the cooling fluid container 4 and the heat exchanger 8, wherein the temperature of the cooling fluid is reduced. The cooling fluid is pumped from the refrigerator interior outlet 71 to the heat exchanger 8 by a pump 73, and then the cooler fluid is circulated back to the container through the refrigerator interior inlet 72.

[0036] The heat exchanger 8 is configured to exchange heat between the cooling fluid and the refrigerant of the refrigerator's cold generating unit 23. In a well-known manner, the refrigerator's cold generating unit 23 comprises a refrigeration circuit 231 having a refrigerant circulating therein and comprising at least:

[0037] - compressor 232,

[0038] - condenser 233,

[0039] -Expansion device 234.

[0040] Figure 3D According to plane AA Figure 3B Obviously, the container 4 includes a first internal channel 48a to control the path of the cold cooling fluid flowing back from the internal cooling fluid circuit 7 and entering at the refrigerator interior inlet 72.

[0041] In a similar way, Figure 3E According to the plane BB Figure 3B Obviously, the container 4 includes a second internal channel 48b to control the path of the cooling fluid flowing to the external circuit 41 to the coffee cooler 3 and leaving at the refrigerator external outlet 42.

[0042] The two channels 48a, 48b are positioned one alongside the other inside the cooling container so as to optimize the heat exchange between the two fluids presenting an important temperature gradient.

[0043] The ends 481a, 481b of the two channels emerge in a common free internal volume of the container, in which the cooling fluids flowing from the different circuits are homogenized. The stirrer participates in the homogenization of the temperature of the cooling fluid within the container.

[0044] Preferably, the cooling liquid is propylene glycol. Such a fluid can reach a temperature of -25°C and quickly cool the hot coffee through the walls of the coffee cooler.

[0045] Since the viscosity of such fluids may vary with temperature, it is preferred to use a storage container that includes an agitator and internal channels to facilitate homogenization of its temperature.

[0046] Figure 4 A different configuration of a beverage dispenser according to the invention is illustrated, wherein a refrigerator and a coffee machine are positioned in the same housing, and a coffee cooler is positioned above them.

[0047] Although the present invention has been described with reference to the above illustrated embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed is not in any way limited to these illustrated embodiments.

[0048] Various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims. In addition, where known equivalents exist for specific features, such equivalents shall be incorporated as if explicitly mentioned in this specification.

[0049] As used in this specification, the words "include", "comprises" and similar words should not be understood as having exclusive or exhaustive meanings. In other words, these words are intended to mean "including but not limited to".

[0050] List of references in the accompanying drawings :

[0051] Beverage Dispenser 100

[0052] Coffee machine 1

[0053] Coffee Preparation Unit 11

[0054] Milk jug 12

[0055] Dispensing outlet 13a, 13b to cup

[0056] Connection to coffee cooler 14

[0057] Coffee bean hopper 15

[0058] Refrigerator 2

[0059] Refrigerator 21

[0060] Freezer 22

[0061] Cold generating unit 23

[0062] Refrigeration circuit 231

[0063] Compressor 232

[0064] Condenser 233

[0065] Expansion device 234

[0066] Coffee Cooler 3

[0067] Container 31

[0068] Wall 311

[0069] Cycle Path 32

[0070] Whisk 33

[0071] Motor 34

[0072] Clamp valve 35

[0073] Distribution outlet 36

[0074] Cooling fluid container 4

[0075] External circuit 41

[0076] Refrigerator external outlet 42

[0077] Refrigerator external entrance 43

[0078] Pump 44

[0079] Agitators 45a, 45b

[0080] Axis 46

[0081] Internal channels 48a, 48b

[0082] Channel outlets 481a, 481b

[0083] Cups 5a, 5b

[0084] Housing 61, 62

[0085] External cooling fluid circuit 7

[0086] Refrigerator internal outlet 71

[0087] Refrigerator interior entrance 72

[0088] Pump 73

[0089] Heat exchanger 8

Claims

1. A beverage dispenser (100), comprising: - a coffee machine (1) for producing hot coffee and hot coffee mixed with milk, said coffee machine comprising a milk tank (12) capable of being replenished with milk, preferably cold milk, - a refrigerator (2), comprising: a cold room (21) for storing and cooling milk containers at a temperature above 0°C, typically between 5°C and 10°C, and . Freezer (22), the freezer can be maintained below 0 ° C, preferably below -15℃ temperature, - a coffee cooler (3) for cooling hot coffee produced by the coffee machine, the coffee cooler comprising a container (31) for containing coffee dispensed from the coffee machine, and a wall (311) of the container comprising a circulation path (32) for a cooling fluid, wherein the freezer compartment (22) of the refrigerator comprises a cooling fluid container (4) for storing and cooling the cooling fluid, and The beverage dispenser comprises an external cooling fluid circuit (41) configured to circulate the cooling fluid between the cooling fluid container and the circulation path of the coffee cooler.

2. A beverage dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the container (4) for storing and cooling the cooling fluid includes an external refrigerator inlet (43) and an external refrigerator outlet (42) for the cooling fluid, and the cooling fluid circuit includes a pump (44) for circulating the cooling fluid from the outlet to the circulation path (32) of the coffee cooler and back to the inlet of the container.

3. A beverage dispenser according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cooling liquid is propylene glycol.

4. Beverage dispenser according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the container (4) for storing and cooling the cooling fluid comprises a stirrer (45a, 45b).

5. A beverage dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The refrigerator comprises at least one cold generating unit (23), the cold generating unit comprising a refrigeration circuit (231) having a refrigerant circulating therein, and comprising a compressor (232), a condenser (233), and an expansion device (234) for processing the refrigerant, and -The beverage dispenser comprises an internal cooling fluid circuit (7), which is configured to circulate the cooling fluid between the cooling fluid container (4) and a heat exchanger (8), which exchanges heat between the cooling fluid and the refrigerant of the cold generating unit (23) of the refrigerator.

6. A beverage dispenser according to the preceding claim, wherein the container (4) for storing and cooling the cooling fluid comprises an internal refrigerator inlet (72) and an internal refrigerator outlet (73) for the cooling fluid, and the internal cooling fluid circuit comprises a pump (73) for circulating the cooling fluid from the refrigerator outlet to the heat exchanger (8) of the freezer and back to the internal refrigerator inlet (72) of the container.

7. A beverage dispenser according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the container for storing and cooling the cooling fluid comprises an internal channel (48) configured to control the circulation of different cooling fluid flows entering and / or leaving the container.

8. A beverage dispenser according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the container for storing and cooling the cooling fluid includes an internal heat exchanger (48), which is configured to exchange heat between cooling fluid entering the container from the internal cooling fluid circuit and cooling fluid leaving the container to the external cooling fluid circuit.

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