beverage dispenser

Abstract

Beverage dispenser (1), comprising a beverage storage container (2) and a beverage outlet tap (3) connected thereto, wherein the beverage outlet tap (3) has two, in particular separately formed, outlets (4, 5), wherein in order to position one or the other of the two outlets (4, 5) as unobstructed as possible, these are arranged on the beverage outlet tap (3) such that they lie opposite one another with respect to a base body (3.1) of the beverage outlet tap (3).

Description

The present invention relates to a beverage dispenser and a beverage outlet tap for a beverage dispenser according to the pre-characterizing parts of claims 1 and 10.Prior Art:Beverage dispensers are generally known commercially for the provision of beverages. Beverage dispensers of this type comprise in the usual manner a beverage storage container and a beverage outlet cock connected thereto.For the purpose of feeding a beverage stored in such a beverage dispenser, a vessel is generally placed under the beverage outlet tap and the dispensing of the beverage to be fed from the beverage dispenser is initiated. In the prior art, JP 2014 084 167 A, JP 2020 132 193 A and JP 2003 170 998 A each show beverage dispensers, comprising a beverage storage container and a beverage outlet tap connected thereto, wherein the beverage outlet tap has two outlets formed separately.Object and Advantages of the Invention:The invention is based on the object of optimizing the collection of beverages from a beverage dispenser and of making them more comfortable.The object is achieved on the basis of the preambles of claims 1 and 10 by their characterizing features. Advantageous and practical refinements are specified in the dependent claims.Accordingly, the invention relates to a beverage dispenser comprising a beverage storage container and a beverage outlet tap connected thereto. The beverage dispenser is characterized in that the beverage outlet tap has two outlets, in particular separately formed outlets.Beverage dispensers of this type are usually designed such that they can be placed on a table or a corresponding other storage surface in order to provide the beverage stored therewith, such as drinking water, drinking water added with additives or other beverages.Experience has shown that these beverages are obtained by placing different containers under the beverage outlet tap, in particular containers with different height dimensions and / or different volumes, such as drinking glasses, caraffs or the like.This can result in the problem, on the one hand, that higher vessels, such as caraffs, for example, cannot be easily placed under the beverage outlet tap, since this is in the way because the vessel is higher than the outlet of the beverage outlet tap. Or, there is a problem that there is a large distance between the outlet of the beverage outlet cock and a vessel placed underneath, such as a drinking glass, whereby when the beverage is drawn, it possibly sprays out of the vessel placed underneath.In order to overcome this problem, the beverage dispenser can be designed such that the two outlets of the beverage outlet tap have outlet lines of different lengths in order to provide different outlet heights (A, B), respectively.For positioning one or the other of the two outlets without hindrance as possible, these can be arranged, for example, on the beverage outlet tap in such a way that they are opposite each other with respect to a base body of the beverage outlet tap. That is, one outlet is directed with its outlet pipe directed downward and the other outlet is directed with its outlet pipe directed upward.In order to be able to bring the desired outlet with the shorter or longer outlet pipe of the beverage outlet cock into the operating position, the beverage outlet cock can be a base body which is firmly connected to the beverage storage container and can have an adjusting element which is arranged on the base body and which is variable in its position relative to the base body, in particular rotatable relative to the base body, and by means of which adjusting element one of the two outlets is arranged such that it can be brought into an outlet position.Various deposits may also form at the ends of the outlet lines over time. In order to counter this, in particular for reasons of hygiene, but also for aesthetic reasons, an exchangeable end piece can be arranged on the outlet lines.A further aspect in the case of the preparation of a beverage is that, with the same reference quantity for different reference vessels, such as drinking glasses or caraffs, one vessel type, for example a drinking glass, is filled too fully and / or the other vessel type, for example a caraff, is filled only partially. In particular, with a volume ratio not equal to about a multiple, such as 1:2 or 1:3, multiple acquisition of a fixed smaller reference quantity for the vessel with the larger volume capacity does not offer a satisfactory solution to these problems.For detecting an operatively positioned outlet, the beverage outlet tap can comprise a sensor. It is thus possible, for example, to signal to a control unit which quantity of beverage to be obtained is to be dispensed. The smaller discharge amount for a low vessel such as a glass or the like or the larger discharge amount for a high vessel such as a carafe.For this purpose, a dispensing quantity determination unit can be included for determining the beverage dispensing quantity predefined for the outlet identified as ready-to-use.A beverage reference activator may be provided for activating the beverage reference. This can be realized, for example, in the form of a button, a switch, a touch sensor or the like.The beverage reference activator can be positioned, for example, on the front side of the beverage outlet tap. For example, the beverage reference activator can be arranged on the base body which is fixedly connected to the beverage storage container. As a result, all connecting lines of the beverage reference activator can be laid completely free of wear such that they are not subject to any movements during operation of the beverage dispenser.Alternatively, the beverage reference activator may be disposed on the one with the adjustment member.For visualizing the operating element for the reference of a beverage, a lighting element for the beverage reference activator can be provided. Preferably, the lighting element backlights the beverage reference activator, so that a simple cleaning of the beverage dispenser can be made possible.The beverage dispenser can also comprise a control unit for evaluating and / or generating operating and / or display signals and / or for controlling the dispensing quantity determination unit.Furthermore, the invention also relates to a beverage outlet tap which is equipped with at least one of the features described above for use with a beverage dispenser.DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT:The invention is explained in more detail below by way of example with reference to the appended figures.The following are shown: FIG. 1 : a partial view of a beverage dispenser, comprising a beverage storage container with a beverage outlet tap arranged thereon with two outlets and a drinking glass placed underneath the beverage outlet tap for covering a beverage. FIG. 2 : shows an exemplary cross-sectional illustration of a beverage outlet tap. FIG. 3 : A beverage outlet tap in a reference position "A" aligned (short outlet line at the bottom) with a comparatively high receiving vessel (carafe) placed underneath. FIG. 4 : The beverage outlet tap from FIG. 3 aligned in a reference position "B" (long outlet line at the bottom) with the comparatively low receptacle (drinking glass) placed underneath.Accordingly, FIG. 1 shows a partial view of a beverage dispenser 1, comprising a beverage storage container 2 with a beverage outlet tap 3 arranged thereon with two outlets 4, 5 and a vessel placed underneath the beverage outlet tap 3 for covering a beverage, here in the form of a drinking glass 10.Symbolically shown on the beverage storage container 2 are a control unit 9 for receiving and providing signals and energy for control and / or regulating elements of the beverage dispenser 1 and a dispensing quantity determination unit 8.FIG. 2 shows an exemplary cross-sectional representation of a beverage outlet tap 3. This comprises a base body 3.1 which can be fixedly connected to the beverage storage container 2 and an adjusting element 3.2 which is arranged on the base body 3.1 and which is variable in its position with respect to the base body 3.1, in particular rotatable with respect to the base body 3.1.On the adjusting element 3.2, which is here exemplarily sleeve-like, two outlets 4, 5 with outlet lines 4.1 (long, bottom) and 5.1 (short, top) of different lengths are arranged opposite each other.By rotating the adjusting element 3.2 about the axis of rotation 3.2.1, preferably by 180° (cf. FIG. 4 ), it is possible to select between the two outlets 4 and 5 from which the desired beverage to be obtained and thus also the desired quantity of beverage is to be obtained. This is because, by means of the sensor 6 for detecting the outlet 4 or 5 positioned in the operating position 3.3 (cf. again FIG. 4 ), with its respective outlet line 4.1 or 5.1, it is possible to signal to the control unit 9 and / or the dispensing quantity determination unit 8 which outlet is brought into the operating position and which quantity of desired beverage to be obtained is to be dispensed.Corresponding to the outlet 4 shown by way of example in FIG. 2, with the longer outlet line 4.1 in the operating position (based on the usual view of FIG. 2, bottom), the smaller of two beverage quantities that can be drawn, shown by the arrows 3.5 symbolizing a beverage flow, is dispensed.The sealing of the transition point between the base body 3.1 and the outlet line, in the case of the (long) discharge line 4.1 shown, is arranged with a sealing element 3.6, e.g. an O-ring.The reference of a beverage can be triggered by activation of the beverage reference activator 7.In accordance with this operating position, the beverage outlet cock 3 is positioned identically in the operating position in the illustration of FIG. 4. Below the beverage outlet cock 3 a reference vessel 10, here in the form of a drinking glass, with already obtained beverage is shown.The possible change of the operating position between the two outlets 4 and 5, "position B" for the outlet 4 with the longer outlet line 4.1 (FIG. 4 ) or "position A" for the outlet 5 with the shorter outlet line 5.1 (FIG. 3 ) is symbolically indicated by the arrow 3.5 and its two possible rotational directions.FIG. 3 shows the alternative possible reference to FIG. 4 with a short outlet line 5.1 of the outlet 5, with a comparatively higher vessel 10 placed underneath it, here for example a carafe with a receiving volume comparatively larger than the drinking glass in FIG. 4,List of reference numbers:1 Beverage dispenser 2 beverage reservoir 3 beverage outlet cock 3.1 base body 3.2 adjusting element 3.2.1 axis of rotation 3.3 dispensing position 3.4 arrow 3.5 arrow 3.6 sealing element 4 outlet 4.1 outlet line 4.1.1 replaceable end piece 5 outlet 5.1 outlet line 5.1.1 replaceable end piece 6 sensor 7 beverage reference activator 8 dispensing quantity determination unit 9 control unit 10 vessel

Claims

Beverage dispenser (1) comprising a beverage storage container (2) and a beverage outlet tap (3) connected thereto, wherein the beverage outlet tap (3) has two, in particular separately formed, outlets (4, 5), wherein, for positioning one or the other of the two outlets (4, 5) as free of hindrance as possible, these are arranged on the beverage outlet tap (3) in such a way that they are opposite each other with respect to a base body (3.1) of the beverage outlet tap (3).Beverage dispenser (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the two outlets (4, 5) have outlet lines (4.1, 5.1) of different lengths in order to provide different outlet heights.Beverage dispenser (1) according to claim 2, characterised in that an exchangeable end piece (4.1.1, 5.1.1) is arranged on the outlet line (4.1, 5.1).Beverage dispenser (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the beverage outlet cock (3) is a base body (3.1) which is fixedly connected to the beverage storage container (2) and has an adjusting element (3.2) which is arranged on the base body (3.1) and which is variable in its position relative to the base body (3.1), in particular rotatable relative to the base body (3.1), by means of which adjusting element (3.2) one of the two outlets (4, 5) is arranged such that it can be brought into an outlet position (3.3).Beverage dispenser (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the beverage outlet tap (3) comprises a sensor (6) for detecting an outlet (4 or 5) positioned ready for operation.Beverage dispenser (1) according to claim 5, characterised in that a dispensing quantity determination unit (8) is included for determining the beverage dispensing quantity predetermined for the outlet (4 or 5) identified as ready for use.Beverage dispenser (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a beverage reference activator (7) is provided.Beverage dispenser (1) according to claim 7, characterised in that a lighting element (7.1) is provided for the beverage reference activator (7).Beverage dispenser (1) according to claim 6, characterised in that a control unit (9) is included for evaluating and / or generating operating and / or display signals and / or for controlling the dispensing quantity determination unit (8).Beverage outlet tap (3), characterized in that the beverage outlet tap (3) is provided for use with a beverage dispenser according to one of the preceding claims.

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