Method and device for through-line cooling of beverage, and coffee machine

Abstract

In a method for the through-cooling of a beverage, preferably in a coffee machine, a device (10) with a refrigeration element and a heat transfer (35) operatively connected thereto is provided. Pass-through cooling of the respective beverage is carried out by means of a heat transfer device (35). According to the invention, a heat accumulator (20) with a cold-absorbing storage medium (21) is integrated in the device (10), the storage medium (21) being guided from the accumulator to a refrigeration element (15) for cooling and back into the accumulator (20), and the storage medium (21) being guided to a heat transfer device (35) and back into the accumulator (20) in order to release the cold. In this case, the beverage is conveyed from a source (30) through a heat transfer (35) and to a processing unit or an outlet (38) in a cooled manner. By means of the method, a very fast and efficient cooling of each individual portion of beverage can be achieved in a simple manner, and thus energy can be saved.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to a method for the flash cooling of a beverage according to the preamble of claim 1, wherein a device with a refrigeration element and a heat transfer connected thereto is provided, wherein the flash cooling of the respective beverage takes place by means of the heat transfer, a device according to claim 5 and a coffee machine according to claim 15. BACKGROUND

[0002] In a milk cooling device for use in or with a beverage production machine, in particular a coffee machine according to the printed document EP 2 833 091 A1, which has a refrigeration machine with a cooling chamber, a milk volume to be cooled can be brought into the cooling chamber. Here, a flash cooling assembly is provided, which has a flash cooling element configured for cooling a liquid quantity guided therethrough, and with which a partial quantity of the milk volume can be extracted and guided back through the flash cooling element and into the milk volume. The flash cooling element is arranged in such a way that it can be cooled by the refrigeration machine. The flash cooling element consists of a cooling body, preferably made of metal, and at least one tube, advantageously meandering, which is arranged through the cooling body for guiding the milk partial quantity through the cooling body. However, such a milk cooling device is complex in design and not practical in terms of the regular cleaning of its housing and the tubes or hoses. SUMMARY

[0003] The task on which the invention is based is to improve the method with a device, in particular for a coffee machine, in such a way that the beverage to be produced can be cooled from room temperature or in the heated state to a theoretical temperature below room temperature, preferably down to 0°C, in an efficient manner.

[0004] According to the invention, this task is solved by the features of claim 1 or claim 5.

[0005] In the method according to the invention, a heat store with a cold-absorbing storage medium is integrated in the device, wherein the store is connected to the refrigeration element on the one hand and to the heat transfer on the other hand by means of a tube, in such a way that the storage medium can be guided from the store to the refrigeration element for cooling and to the heat transfer for cold release and correspondingly back to the store. Here, the beverage can be conveyed from a source through the heat transfer and cooled to a processing unit or directly to an outlet.

[0006] With this method, very fast and efficient cooling of each individual serving of beverage can be achieved in a simple manner, and energy can be saved by this targeted cooling.

[0007] Advantageously, the heat transfer of the device is cooled to a specific temperature, especially before the beverage is passed through, and directly thereafter the beverage is guided from the source through the heat transfer and delivered to the processing unit or the outlet.

[0008] The application is configured such that the memory, which is configured as a layer memory, is dimensioned to have such a storage capacity of the storage medium that a specific quantity share of the beverage can be cooled in the heat transfer to the theoretical value without the memory having to be reloaded.

[0009] Very advantageously, the memory is configured as a container-like layer memory, in which, in the operating state, the liquid storage medium can be divided into a lower cold layer, an upper hot layer and a separating layer therebetween. With this division of the storage medium, the desired cold release in the specific theoretical temperature is optimally ensured.

[0010] In the case of an unloading of the cold layer, in which the cold layer is measurably reduced to a minimum, the hot layer is cooled from the upper side of the memory through the heat transfer in the refrigeration element and guided into the memory on the lower side, until the memory is loaded with the cold layer. The memory can thus be used for a certain time without loading and thus contributes to this efficient cooling of the beverage.

[0011] Suitably, the lower side and the upper side of the memory are provided with each at least one opening, which are connected from one opening to the other opening on the one hand with a line to the refrigeration element and on the other hand with a line to the heat transfer and are correspondingly returned to the respective other opening by each one line, wherein in the lines a respectively controllable pump is contained. Thus, a simple fluid connection of the storage medium for its cooling or cold release is achieved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0012] The application and further advantages thereof will be explained in more detail below with reference to embodiments and with reference to the drawings. Therein:

[0013] Figure 1 A hydraulic diagram of a device for the passage cooling of a beverage according to the application is shown;

[0014] Figure 2 An exploded view of a heat transfer of a device according to Figure 1 ;

[0015] Figure 3 A longitudinal section through a memory of a device according to Figure 1 ;

[0016] Figure 4 A longitudinal section through an upper coupling connection of a memory according to Figure 3 ; DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Figure 1 A device 10 for the passage cooling of beverages is shown schematically, which is preferably integrated into a coffee machine or beverage vending machine, not shown in more detail, in which various different beverages can generally be extracted, such as preferably coffee beverages, milk beverages, tea beverages, chocolate beverages and mixed beverages with a scent, wherein, as coffee, espresso, normal coffee, cappuccino and also latte macchiato can be selected. Other milk types, such as coconut milk or milk produced from milk powder and water, are also suitable as milk beverages.

[0018] The device 10, which is integrated, for example, in a coffee machine, not shown in more detail, comprises a refrigeration element 15, a source 30 containing a beverage, a line 36 with a pump 39 leading from the source to a heat transfer 35 provided for the passage cooling of the respective beverage, a line 37 leading from the heat transfer 35 to an outlet 38 and a cup 31 or the like, which can be placed in the outlet 38.

[0019] The assembly can, of course, be designed differently depending on the case. Thus, as presented, one milk container or a plurality of containers can be provided as the source 30, which can be selectively drawn by the pump 39 by means of a control device. However, at least one tank, bottle, mixing device from milk powder and water, etc. can also be provided as the source 30. The pump 39 can also be arranged in the line 37. In principle, two lines can also be led through the heat transfer with each one pump from each one source and to the outlet. For example, a processing unit can be provided as a milk frother, stirrer or the like.

[0020] In the method according to the application, a heat store 20 containing a storage cold storage medium 21 is integrated in the device 10 provided therein, which, on the one hand, can be connected to the refrigeration element 15 via lines 27, 28 and, on the other hand, can be connected to the heat transfer 35 via lines 23, 25, such that the storage medium 21 can be guided from the store 20 to the refrigeration element 15 for cooling and to the heat transfer 35 for cold release and, respectively, back into the store 20.

[0021] For this purpose, the lower side and the upper side of the store 20 are each provided with one opening 22', 26'. For cooling the storage medium 21, one line 27 with a pump 29 is led from the upper opening 26' to the refrigeration element 15 and back from the refrigeration element to the store 20 via the line 28 and the lower opening 22'. For heat transfer, one line 23 with a pump 24 is led from the opening 22' on the lower side to the heat transfer 35 and back from the heat transfer to the opening 26' on the upper side of the store 20, wherein the storage medium is guided from the opening on the lower side via the heat transfer to the opening on the upper side.

[0022] In the operation of the device 10, the uncooled storage medium 21'is first guided by the controllable pump 29 to the evaporator 16 of the refrigeration element 15, which is configured as a compression refrigeration facility, and is then guided back into the reservoir 20 through the line 28 and the opening 22'. This transport of the storage medium from the upper opening 26' can be maintained until all of the storage medium 21 in the reservoir is cooled to a temperature advantageously in the range of 0°C, even below 0°C, but in any case above the freezing point.

[0023] For this purpose, a temperature measurer 18 can be installed after the opening 26' in the line 27, by means of which it is determined when the once-passing storage medium is completely cooled and flows through the line 27, so that the pump 29 is then switched off. This loading of the reservoir 20 advantageously takes place before the use of the coffee machine with the device 10, for example in the morning or at an expected break, which can be programmed. In any case, this loading must be carried out at such intervals before the cold layer is used up.

[0024] As presented, the reservoir 20 is advantageously designed as a container-like layer reservoir, in which in the operating state the liquid storage medium 21 is divided into a lower cold layer and an upper hot layer 21 ', in which a separation layer 21'is formed in the transition from the cold layer to the hot layer. With this division, it is achieved that the storage medium 21 can be transported from the lower opening 22' in the preset cold state to the heat transferer.

[0025] As soon as this cold layer is formed in the reservoir 20, the actual function of the cooling of the beverage from the container 30 through the pump 39 and through the heat transferer 35 can begin. Advantageously, the heat transferer 35 is cooled with a certain volume flow of the storage medium 21 of the reservoir before the beverage passes, so that the beverage is sufficiently cooled after one pass. This can be monitored by a temperature measuring device. Here, the storage medium 21 is guided from the opening 22' on the lower side of the reservoir 20 through the line 23 and the heat transferer 35 by means of the pump 24 and is guided back from the heat transferer into the opening 26' and into the hot layer of the reservoir 20. This circulation of the storage medium 21 also takes place when the beverage is transported through the heat transferer 35, usually portion by portion. In theory, the storage medium can be transported only before or during the passage of the beverage. The temperatures of the beverage and the storage medium are advantageously measured after the passage through the heat transferer and are adjusted to the theoretical temperatures by an adjustment process.

[0026] The pumps 24, 39 for transporting the storage medium 21 and / or the beverage are operated at such a rotational speed that the respective passage speed of the storage medium 21 and / or the beverage through the line is at least in the heat transferer 35 in the range of laminar flow. Thus, a higher efficiency of the heat transfer is achieved.

[0027] According to Figure 1, a compression refrigeration plant with mechanical or electrical drive energy is provided as refrigeration element 15, wherein in the refrigerant circuit a compressor 13, a subsequent condenser 12, an expansion valve 14 and a cold- releasing evaporator 16 are configured. Of course, this plant can also be designed differently. For the method according to the application, it is essential that the storage medium 21 can extract the required cold from the evaporator 16.

[0028] Figure 2 A heat transfer 35 is shown, which is configured from an upper end plate 32 and a lower end plate 33, a plurality of frame elements 41, 42 provided with internal longitudinal channels 41', 42' and a sealing plate 43 interposed between each of them, which has lateral, upwardly flowing, transversely passing openings 44, 45. Due to the exploded view, these frame elements and sealing plates are shown spaced apart from each other. However, in the assembled state, they are pressed against each other.

[0029] Therefore, the frame elements 41 for the beverage passage, the sealing plates 41, the frame elements 42 for the storage medium passage and the sealing plates 41 are repeatedly arranged next to each other. Here, the heat transfer 35 is associated with such a number of frame elements 41, 42 arranged next to each other and sealing plates 43 between them, that the beverage passing through reaches a theoretical temperature of, for example, almost 0°C after one passage through the heat transfer.

[0030] Preferably, the upper end plate 32 is provided with protruding sleeve-like coupling plugs 23', 25' or 36', 37' for coupling the lines 23, 25 or 36, 37, through which the storage medium 21 and the beverage are guided to and away from the heat transfer 35. The coupling plugs 23', 25' for the storage medium correspond to the longitudinal channels 42' formed in the frame elements 42 and the passing openings 46, 47 in the sealing plates 43, which are connected thereto, while the coupling plugs 36', 37' for the beverage correspond to the longitudinal channels 41' formed in the frame elements 41 and the passing openings 44, 45 connected thereto.

[0031] The storage medium 21 flows through the heat transfer 35 from a first outer side 32' of the end plate 32 and is transported from the heat transfer on a second outer side 32" thereof into the storage 20, while the beverage is pumped through the heat transfer in the opposite direction from the second outer side 32" and directly from the heat transfer on the first outer side 32" to the outlet 38 of the device 10, as this is indicated with arrows in Figure 2 The opposite flow direction of the storage medium to the beverage in the heat transfer 35 promotes a better heat transfer than when it flows in the same direction.

[0032] Figure 3A thermal store 20 is shown, which is constructed as a layer store, consisting of a cylindrical container 20' with an upper cover 48 and a lower cover 49, perforated inner walls 51, 53 arranged spaced apart therefrom, and coupling connections 22, 26 with openings 22', 26' protruding therethrough. Correspondingly outwardly curved coupling connections 22, 26 are preferably arranged in the center of the covers 48, 49. These perforated inner walls 51, 53 are respectively fixed in the container 20' parallel to the covers 48, 49 and form chambers 54, 55 therebetween. The store is provided with insulation walls in order to avoid cold losses as much as possible.

[0033] Figure 4 An upper coupling connection 26 is shown, which is preferably arranged in the center of the cover 49, is curved outwardly of the container 20' and is equipped with a line coupling 26" on the end side. However, it can also be constructed straight, without an angle. In the interior, it is respectively provided with a mushroom-like deflection sleeve 56 protruding into the container 20', through which the central opening 26' is deflected in opposite directions through an outer rounded flow-through opening 57 upwardly into the chamber 55. A lower coupling connection 22 is constructed identically to the upper coupling connection, but it is installed upside down in the bottom of the store.

[0034] For the loading, the storage medium 21 is guided from the hot layer through the chamber 55, the deflection sleeve 56 of the coupling connection 26 and the line 27 coupled thereto to the evaporator 16 and immediately thereafter through the line 28 and the lower coupling connection 22 back into the container 20'. Here, the storage medium 21 cooled to the theoretical temperature is conveyed through the deflection sleeve 52 into the chamber 54 and from there through the perforated inner wall 51 into the container 20' to form the cold layer. In this passage of the storage medium 21, it is striven to cool so much that the storage medium is cooled to approximately 0°C or below 0°C, but above the freezing point after passing the refrigeration element 15.

[0035] With this construction with special inlet or outlet geometry of the coupling connections 22, 26 into the store 20, a flow-optimized situation is achieved for the perfect operation of the store with regard to the cold layer and the hot layer.

[0036] As mentioned, in the operating state, the liquid storage medium 21 is divided in the storage 20 into the lower cold layer, the separation layer 21 " and the upper hot layer 21 '. Advantageously, the storage 20 is dimensioned with such storage capacity of the storage medium that a large portion of the beverage can be cooled in the heat transfer 35 to the theoretical value. In the case of a cold layer discharge, in which the cold layer can be measurably reduced to a minimum, the storage medium 21 of the hot layer 21'is cooled from the opening 26' of the upper side of the storage 20 through the heat transfer, which is currently configured as an evaporator 16 in the refrigeration element 15, and is guided into the storage through the lower opening 22', which is until the storage 20 is loaded with a cold layer, as explained above. The storage medium 21 can preferably be water with an added antifreeze, for example ethanol or the like, or instead of water, another medium that is well heat-conducting, etc.

[0037] The control of the device 10 for the passage of the storage medium through the refrigeration element or heat transfer and for the passage of the beverage is not explained in more detail, but should serve to fulfill the above-mentioned functions with it. In particular, the cooling temperature of the beverage that is passed in the outlet 38 should be maintained. The pumps 24, 29, 39 used can be provided with adjustable pumping power in order to achieve the desired cooling or theoretical temperature of the storage medium and the beverage.

[0038] The application is sufficiently explained with the above-described embodiments. However, the application can of course also be explained by further variants.

[0039] As such, the refrigeration element can be a Peltier refrigeration facility or an existing cooling chamber in a coffee machine, for example. Furthermore, it is possible to utilize the waste heat generated by the refrigeration element in such a way that, for example, water and / or milk is heated for use, as explained next.

[0040] The storage can also differ from the variants shown. As such, more than one coupling spout can be provided above and below, which are each associated with one passage and the other passage, respectively. Furthermore, the coupling spout with the deflection sleeve can be configured as a simple sleeve.

[0041] Furthermore, instead of a layer storage, other thermal energy storages can also be used, for example, sensible heat storages or latent heat storages.

[0042] The storage can also consist of a plurality of containers which are fluidically connected to one another, or which, in the case of a first container being unloaded, direct the storage medium to the refrigeration element for cooling and back into the container, and, in the case of a second container being loaded, direct the storage medium to the heat transfer for cold release and back into the container accordingly. This is switched over as soon as the second container is approximately unloaded and the first container is filled with cold storage medium. It is thus ensured that always one container is loaded with cooled storage medium. The containers can then be connected individually via controllable valves with the heat transfer via lines 23, 25 or with the refrigeration element via lines 27, 28 and back accordingly.

[0043] The heat transfer can also be provided with a common coil or the like, which is not shown in more detail. Furthermore, it can be formed from a plurality of units which are connected in series to one another. It is also possible to provide only one pump with a corresponding valve to transport the storage medium.

[0044] The coffee machine or beverage vending machine, which is not shown in more detail, is provided with at least one heat generator (for example a hot water container for brewing coffee or for expelling tea, a boiler for steam generation to generate hot milk or milk froth) and at least one cooling appliance (for example a refrigerator or a device for generating ice).

[0045] Within the scope of the application, at least one heat pump is integrated in the coffee machine, which is operatively connected to the at least one heat generator on the one hand directly or via a hot storage and to the at least one cooling appliance on the other hand directly or via a cold storage. In order to supply the required thermal energy, it is thus controlled to transfer heat on the one hand via the condenser of the heat pump to the hot storage or directly to the at least one heat generator and on the other hand to transfer cold via the evaporator of the heat pump to the cold storage or to the at least one cooling appliance.

[0046] Suitably, the respective at least one medium is guided from the respective hot storage or heat generator or from the respective cold storage or cooling appliance to the condenser or evaporator of the heat pump and is heated or cooled by the respective heat transfer in the heat pump. Here, the medium is guided via one line each to the heat pump and back into the hot storage or directly to the heat generator or to the cold storage or directly to the cooling appliance.

[0047] Advantageously, the respective hot storage and / or heat generator is associated with an additional heating device or the respective cold storage and / or cooling appliance is associated with an additional cooler, by which additional heating energy or cooling energy can be supplied in the end consumer respectively. This is required in particular when the coffee machine is operated in the range of maximum power or when the boiler or the water container is heated on a daily basis.

[0048] In the device 10 with the heat store 20 as cold store, at least one cooling appliance is formed by the heat transfer 35, by means of which the beverage is conveyed from the source 30 through the heat transfer 35 and cooled to the processing unit or the outlet 38. As explained in detail above, the heat store 20 with the storage cold storage medium 21 is connected on the one hand via the lines 27, 28 to the refrigeration element 15 as heat pump and on the other hand via the lines 23, 25 to the heat transfer 35. Here, the storage medium 21 is guided from the store 20 to the refrigeration element 15 for cooling and to the heat transfer 35 for cold release and correspondingly guided back into the store 20 again.

Claims

1. A method for cooling a beverage, preferably in a coffee machine, wherein a device (10) is provided with a cooling element and a heat exchanger (35) operatively connected thereto, wherein: The heat exchanger is used to cool the corresponding beverage in a continuous manner, characterized in that: A heat storage (20) with a cold-absorbing storage medium (21) is integrated into the device (10), wherein the storage medium (21) is conducted from the storage to the refrigeration element (15) for cooling and returned to the storage (20), and for releasing the cold, the storage medium (21) is conducted to the heat transfer element (35) and correspondingly returned to the storage (20), and the beverage is conveyed from a source (30) through the heat transfer element (35) and conveyed cooled to a processing unit or an outlet (38).

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that In particular, before the beverage passes through, the heat exchanger (35) is cooled to a specific temperature using a storage medium with a specific volume flow, and the beverage is guided from the source (30) through the heat exchanger (35) and delivered directly to a processing unit or directly to an outlet.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that While the beverage is passing through, the storage medium (21) is simultaneously conveyed through the heat exchanger (35), wherein the temperature of the beverage is preferably measured at least after the passing through in order to monitor the target temperature.

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The storage medium (21) is dimensioned to have such a storage capacity of the storage medium (21) that a specific quantity of beverage can be cooled to a desired value in the heat transfer device (35) and that the storage medium (21) cools the hot layer (21') from the upper side of the storage medium (20) via the heat transfer device in the cooling element (15) and guides it to the storage medium (20) on the lower side, during a cold layer unloading operation in which the cold layer is measurably reduced to a minimum, until the storage medium is loaded with the cold layer.

5. A device for carrying out the method according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 4, comprising a cooling element (15), a heat exchanger (35) operatively connected thereto and at least one line (36, 37) leading to and away from the heat exchanger for through-cooling the respective beverage, characterized in that A heat storage device (20) with a cold-absorbing storage medium (21) is integrated in the device (10), wherein the storage device (20) is connected to the cooling element (15) via lines (27, 28) on the one hand and to the heat exchanger (35) via lines (23, 25) on the other hand, so that the storage medium (21) can be conducted from the storage device to the cooling element (15) for cooling and to the heat exchanger (35) for releasing the cold and then respectively directed back to the storage device (20), and the beverage can be conveyed from the source through the heat exchanger (35) and conveyed cooled to a processing unit or directly to an outlet (38).

6. The device according to claim 5, characterized in that The reservoir (20) is designed as a container-like layer reservoir, wherein in the operating state the liquid storage medium (21) is formed as a lower cold layer and an upper hot layer (21') with a separation layer therebetween.

7. The device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that The lower side and the upper side of the storage (20) are each provided with at least one opening (22', 26'), and the openings are connected to the cooling element (15) by means of a pipeline (27) on the one hand and to the heat exchanger (35) by means of a pipeline (23) on the other hand from one opening (22', 26') to the other opening (22', 26'), and respectively return to the other opening (22', 26') via a respective pipeline (28, 25), wherein a controllable pump (24, 29) is respectively contained in the pipelines.

8. The device according to claim 7, characterized in that A line (23) leads from the opening (22') on the lower side to the heat exchanger (35) and from the heat exchanger back to the opening (26') on the upper side of the reservoir (20), wherein the storage medium (21) is guided from the opening (22') on the lower side via the heat exchanger to the opening on the upper side.

9. The device according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that Another line (27) leads from an opening (26') on the upper side of the storage (20) to the cooling element (15) and from the cooling element through an opening (22') on the lower side of the storage (20), wherein the storage medium (21) is guided from the opening (26') on the upper side via the cooling element to the opening on the lower side.

10. The device according to any one of the preceding claims 5 to 9, characterized in that The pumps (24, 29, 39) for conveying the storage medium (21) and / or the beverage are operated with such a delivery capacity that the respective flow speeds of the storage medium and / or the beverage lie within the laminar flow range at least in the heat exchanger (35).

11. The device according to any one of the preceding claims 5 to 10, characterized in that The heat exchanger (35) is provided with such thermal conductivity from the storage medium (21) to the beverage that the beverage, preferably passed through the heat exchanger portion by portion, has the desired temperature after a single pass through the heat exchanger and can be conducted to the processing unit or directly to the outlet (38).

12. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims 5 to 11, characterised in that The heat exchanger (35) has a plurality of frame elements (41, 42) provided with internal longitudinal channels (41', 42') and at least one sealing plate (43) inserted between them, each of which has transverse through-openings (44, 45) connected in a lateral flow direction, wherein the frame elements (41, 42) for the passage of the storage medium (21) and the frame elements (41, 42) for cooling the beverage are arranged alternately with one another, wherein the at least one sealing plate (43) is located between them.

13. The device according to claim 12, characterized in that The heat exchanger (35) has such a number of frame elements (41, 42) arranged one above the other and a sealing plate (43) therebetween with such thermal conductivity that the beverage passing through it reaches the target temperature after a single pass through the heat exchanger.

14. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims 5 to 13, characterised in that Instead of a layer store, other thermal energy stores can be used, for example sensible heat stores or latent heat stores.

15. A coffee machine, preferably having an apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims 5 to 14, comprising at least one heat generator, such as a hot water container for brewing coffee or dispensing tea, a boiler for steam generation for producing hot milk or milk froth, and at least one cooling device, such as a refrigerator or an apparatus for producing ice, characterized in that At least one heat pump is integrated in the coffee machine, which is operatively connected to at least one heat generator directly or via a heat storage device, and is operatively connected to at least one cooler directly or via a cold storage device, so that, on the one hand, heat can be transferred in a controlled manner to the heat storage device or directly to at least one heat generator via a condenser of the heat pump, and, on the other hand, cold can be transferred in a controlled manner to the storage device or to at least one cooling device via an evaporator of the heat pump.

16. The coffee machine according to claim 15, characterized in that At least one medium can be conveyed from a corresponding heat store or heat generator or a corresponding cold store or cooling device to the condenser or the evaporator and heated or cooled by a corresponding heat exchanger in the heat pump.

17. The coffee machine according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that The corresponding medium can be conducted via a respective line to the heat pump and returned to the heat storage, or directly to the heat generator or to the cold storage or directly to the cooling device.

18. Coffee machine according to any one of the preceding claims 15 to 17, characterized in that An additional heating device is associated with the respective heat storage and / or heat generator, or an additional cooler is associated with the respective cold storage and / or cooling device, via which additional heating energy or cooling energy, respectively, can be supplied.

19. Coffee machine according to any one of the preceding claims 15 to 18, characterized in that In an apparatus (10) having a hot store (20) as a cold store, the cooling device is formed by the heat transfer device (35), through which the beverage is conducted from the source (30) and conveyed cooled to a processing unit or an outlet (38).

20. The coffee machine according to claim 19, wherein The reservoir (20) is connected on the one hand via lines (27, 28) to a heat pump as a cooling element (15), and on the other hand via lines (23, 25) to the heat exchanger (35), so that the storage medium (21) can be conducted from the reservoir to the heat pump for cooling and to the heat exchanger (35) for cold release, and respectively returned to the reservoir (20).

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