Device for the production and dispensing of beverages

Abstract

Device for the production and dispensing of beverages based on concentrates, comprising a housing in which a dosing module (5) is arranged, which is connected to at least two concentrate containers and to a water inlet, wherein a computer module is arranged which is connected to a touchscreen (4) for displaying and selecting beverages and which is configured to control the dosing module (5) or solenoid valves upstream of the dosing module (5), wherein a stand system comprising at least one column is arranged, to which the touchscreen (4) is attached and which has a beverage dispensing line, characterized in that the housing is part of the stand system and is detachably closed by a cover part (2), wherein the cover part (2) has the touchscreen (4).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for producing and dispensing beverages based on concentrates according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Devices for producing and dispensing beverages based on concentrates are known in various designs. Such devices are used, in particular, in fitness studios as self-service machines for the custom preparation of soft drinks. The beverage is prepared using a mixing device with a water inlet and connected to at least two concentrate containers. A desired beverage can be selected by pressing a specific button or by selecting it on a touchscreen. A countertop cabinet, which also houses the mixing device, is typically used to position the concentrate containers.

[0003] A new generation of vending machines for fitness studios has been on the market for some time now. These vending machines are marketed by the company Trugge under the designations "IQ1" and "IQ2." These vending machines feature a housing containing a touchscreen, which is attached to a column on each side. The touchscreen is connected via electrical cables routed through one of the columns to a computer housed in a countertop cabinet on which the vending machine is positioned. A beverage supply line runs through the other column and is connected to an outlet emerging centrally from the housing.The supply line is connected to a mixing device located in the counter cabinet, which is connected to the concentrate containers on the one hand and a water inlet on the other hand, and which is connected via the computer, via which the mixing device is controlled according to the selection of an operator via the touch screen.

[0004] The previously known beverage vending machines have proven themselves in practice. In particular, the simple and intuitive operation via the generously dimensioned touchscreen, as well as the airy design of the touchscreen located between the two columns, whose housing features the beverage outlet on its underside, prove to be extremely user-friendly. However, depending on the design of the counter cabinet, the arrangement of the individual system components can sometimes be difficult to access, making maintenance difficult.

[0005] This is where the present invention comes in. The invention is based on the object of providing a device for producing and dispensing beverages based on concentrates, in which maintenance is simplified regardless of the counter cabinet used. According to the invention, this object is achieved by a device having the features of claim 1.

[0006] The invention provides a device for producing and dispensing beverages based on concentrates, which simplifies maintenance regardless of the counter cabinet used. Because the housing is part of the stand system and is detachably closed by a cover part, which contains the touchscreen, accessibility to components arranged in the housing is improved by simply removing the cover containing the touchscreen.

[0007] In a further development of the invention, the touchscreen is connected to the computer module and / or a power source via a detachably attached cable. This allows for easy removal of the cover containing the touchscreen, further improving accessibility. Alternatively, a correspondingly longer cable can be provided, which can also be designed as a coiled cable to reduce the required storage space within the housing.

[0008] In one embodiment of the invention, the stand system is formed by precisely one column, which comprises a housing-forming section in which the dosing system is arranged and which has at least one beverage dispensing line. This reduces the number of components and achieves a compact design.

[0009] In a further embodiment of the invention, the column is hollow, with lines routed through the column that connect to the concentrate containers and / or the water inlet. This provides a central line channel that is easily accessible from the operating side after removing the removable cover section containing the touchscreen.

[0010] In a further development of the invention, the column has a rear wall detachably connected to it. This allows additional access to the components arranged in the housing as well as to the cables running through the column. The rear wall is preferably arranged opposite the cover part.

[0011] In one embodiment of the invention, the housing is elongated in the direction of the column, i.e., in the vertical direction, and preferably has a substantially rectangular or oval cross-section. This further improves the compact design and also provides good accessibility to the components located in the housing section.

[0012] In a further embodiment of the invention, the cover part has a flange on its rear side facing the touchscreen, by which the cover part is attached to the housing. This facilitates the assembly of the cover part to the housing section.

[0013] In a further development of the invention, the flange comprises a collar which extends at least partially around the collar, the inner surface of which corresponds to the outer surface of the housing which lies against the cover part and onto which it is pushed at least partially, or the outer surface of which corresponds to the inner surface of the housing which lies against the cover part and into which it is pushed at least partially. This ensures stable fastening of the cover part to the housing section, while at the same time further facilitating assembly. The collar advantageously has bores for the passage of a fastening screw, via which it can be detachably connected to the housing, a sealing layer preferably being arranged circumferentially between the collar and the housing.

[0014] In one embodiment of the invention, the computer module is arranged within the housing. This allows for compact integration of the computer module. Alternatively, the computer module can also be arranged within the cover section containing the touchscreen. This allows for a more compact housing design. Furthermore, a protected connection between the touchscreen and the computer module is possible, which is not compromised when the cover section is removed from the housing.

[0015] In a further embodiment of the invention, the dosing module arranged in the housing comprises a mixing nozzle connected to the water inlet and to which the beverage dispensing line is arranged. This results in a compact dosing unit within the housing. The mixing nozzle is preferably designed as a Venturi injector nozzle. This suctions in a concentrate through a negative pressure generated in the mixing nozzle by a water volume flow, whereby the concentrate is mixed with water in a predetermined mixing ratio. Advantageously, the mixing nozzle has an adjustable mixing ratio.

[0016] In a further development of the invention, the dosing module is connected to a solenoid valve block, which is connected to the at least two concentrate containers and can be controlled via the computer module. The solenoid valve block is advantageously arranged in the housing.

[0017] Preferably, the solenoid valve block's outlet is directly connected to the mixing nozzle's intake port. This allows for convenient cleaning and maintenance of the dosing system in the housing, which is easily accessible after removing the cover and / or a removable rear panel.

[0018] The solenoid valve block is preferably connected to the at least two concentrate containers via lines guided through the column.

[0019] Alternatively, the solenoid valve block can be located outside the housing, for example, in the column or externally in a countertop cabinet, and connected to the mixing nozzle via a line running through the column. This reduces the number of lines that need to be run through the column. In addition to a concentrate line connected to the outlet of the solenoid valve block, only a power supply line for powering the touch screen and, if applicable, the computer module and, if applicable, a control line for connecting the solenoid valve block to the computer module if the computer module is located in the housing or the cover section are required. Alternatively, a wireless connection, such as a Bluetooth connection, can be used instead of a control line.

[0020] In one embodiment of the invention, the housing has a rear wall on its rear side opposite the cover part, which is detachably connected to the housing. This allows access to the housing from both the front and rear. Preferably, the stand column has a flange part at its end facing away from the touchscreen for attaching the stand column to a countertop.

[0021] In a further embodiment of the invention, the column has a drain connection on the side of its end facing away from the touchscreen, which is detachably connected to a drip tray that surrounds at least some of the support cables. This allows beverage residue collected in the drip tray to drain through the column. Providing additional openings in the counter surface of the counter cabinet to which the column is mounted is not necessary.

[0022] Further developments and refinements of the invention are specified in the remaining subclaims. An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawings and described in detail below. They show: Fig. 1: the schematic spatial representation of a device for producing and dispensing beverages. Fig. 2: the device from Fig. 1 in a further spatial representation; Fig. 3: the schematic representation of the Fig. 1 with the cover part removed. Fig. 4: the schematic representation of the holder of the dosing module of the housing of the device from Fig. 1; Fig. 5: the stand column of the device from Fig. 1 in exploded view; Fig. 6: the schematic representation of the solenoid valve block of the device from Fig. 1 a) in a first spatial representation; b) in a second spatial representation; Fig. 7: the schematic representation of the dosing module of the device from Fig. 1 a) in a spatial representation; b) in side view; c) in the front view. Fig. 8 the detailed view of the drain connection of the device from Fig. 1 a) at the base of the pillar; b) on the drip tray.

[0023] The device for producing and dispensing beverages chosen as an exemplary embodiment comprises a stand column 1 with a column section 11, which is connected via an angle part 12 to a housing section 14, to which a cover part 2 is fastened, in which a touch screen 3 is fastened.

[0024] In the exemplary embodiment, the column part 11 comprises a U-profile 111 manufactured as a stainless steel stamped and bent sheet metal part, the edges of which are each angled inward, forming fastening tabs 112. The fastening tabs 112 arranged on the two long sides of the open rear side of the U-profile 111 are connected to one another via a centrally arranged cross plate 113. Furthermore, a back plate 113 is fastened to these fastening tabs 112, via which the open rear side of the U-profile 111 is closed. A rectangular recess 114 is formed on the front cover side of the U-profile 111 opposite the back plate 113.

[0025] The angle piece 12 comprises a cover plate 121 and a right-angled frame plate 122, which has two laterally projecting fastening wings 123 opposite one another, which are connected to the fastening tabs 112 arranged on the long sides of the open rear of the U-profile 111. Furthermore, the frame plate 122 is connected to the cover plate 121 via two oppositely arranged fastening brackets 124. The angle piece 12 is placed on the end face of the column part 11 and surrounds it with two tabs 125 arranged laterally on the cover plate 121, which rest against the two opposite long sides of the U-profile 111 and are screwed to them. A rectangular recess 126 is made in the center of the cover plate 121.A retaining plate 127 provided with a circular recess 128 is arranged below the rectangular recess 126 and is fastened to the cover plate 121 via fastening tabs 129 on both sides of the rectangular recess 126.

[0026] Two lateral retaining plates 13 are arranged opposite one another on the angle piece 12 and extend parallel to the tabs 125 of the cover plate 121. In the exemplary embodiment, the retaining plates 13 are identically designed and each have an outwardly angled retaining tab 131. On the side opposite the retaining tab 131, three retaining arms 132 are arranged on the retaining plates 13, each of which has fastening tabs 133 at its end, with which they are connected to the angle piece 12 and to a fastening tab 112 arranged on a long side of the open rear of the U-profile 111.

[0027] The housing section 14 is designed in the form of a hollow profile with a largely oval cross-section, wherein the two opposite long sides of the cross-section are straight. On both straight long sides of the housing section 14, two holding tabs 141 are arranged opposite one another on the two end faces thereof, each angled inwards at a right angle. The housing section 14 is pushed onto the two oppositely arranged holding plates 13 and is connected to the frame plate 122 by its holding tabs 141 facing the latter. The holding tabs 131 of the two holding plates 13 each rest against a holding tab 141 of the housing section 14, to which they are connected. On its underside facing the column part 1, a circular passage 142 with an inner diameter that is larger than the circular recess 128 is introduced into the housing section 14, concentric with the circular recess 128 in the holding plate 127.A rectangular perforated mounting plate 15 is fastened to the retaining tabs 141 of the end face of the housing section 14 opposite the column part 11, said mounting plate having on each of its two transverse sides two fixing tabs 151 which are angled outwards at right angles to one another and spaced apart from one another.

[0028] In the exemplary embodiment, the cover part 2 is designed in the form of a substantially cuboid-shaped cover housing 21, which has a flange part 22 on its rear side facing the housing section 14. The flange part 22 is designed in the form of a circumferential collar, the inner surface of which essentially corresponds to the outer surface of the housing section 14. The side opposite the flange part 22 is formed by a touchscreen 4 integrated into the cover housing 21, which is connected to a computer module (not shown) arranged in the cover housing 21. In the exemplary embodiment, the computer module is integrated on the control board of the touchscreen 4.For the power supply and for controlling the dosing module and the solenoid valve block 6, the computer module is connected to a power and data cable 41, which is guided through the opening 23 of the cover housing 21 arranged within the flange part 22 and is provided with a coupling plug 42 at the end.

[0029] In the housing section 14 of the column 1, a dosing module 5 is inserted into the rectangular recess 126 of the cover plate 121 of the angle piece 12. The dosing module 5 is essentially cuboid-shaped and comprises a mixing nozzle, which in the exemplary embodiment is designed as a Venturi injector nozzle. A first connection sleeve 51 for connecting a water supply line is arranged on one end face. Opposite the first connection sleeve 51, on the other end face, a connection piece 52 is arranged, onto which a pipe section 53 is placed, which extends through the circular recess 128 of the holding plate 127. A second connection sleeve 54 (suction connection) for connecting a concentrate supply line, which is connected to the outlet of the solenoid valve block 6, is arranged on one long side of the dosing module.A solenoid valve 55 is arranged in the dosing module 5 between the connecting piece 52 and the second connecting sleeve 54, via which the flow can be closed.

[0030] In the exemplary embodiment, the solenoid valve block 6 comprises six inlet connections 61 for concentrate lines, each connected to a solenoid valve 62. On its side opposite the inlet connections 61, an outlet connection 63 is arranged for connecting the concentrate inlet line connected to the second connection sleeve 54 of the dosing module 5. Furthermore, a flushing inlet connection 64 is provided for connecting a flushing line for cleaning purposes.

[0031] In the exemplary embodiment, the solenoid valve block 6 is arranged in the housing section 14 and is connected to six concentrate containers (not shown) via concentrate lines (not shown) that are connected to the inlet connections 61 and routed through the column section 11. The electrical connections 621 of the solenoid valves 62 are connected to data lines of a power and data cable 65, which further comprises a power supply line and is provided with a coupling socket 66 at its end.

[0032] The cover part 2 is pushed onto the housing section 14 with its flange part 22 and connected to it by screws 24. The fixing tabs 151 of the mounting plate 15 engage in a retaining groove 25 provided for this purpose on the flange part. The coupling plug 42 of the power and data cable 41 of the cover part 2 is connected to the coupling socket 66 of the power and data cable 65 connected to the solenoid valve block 6. On its end face opposite the cover part 2, the housing section 14 is closed by a rear wall 3, which is screwed to the retaining tabs 141 arranged on this end face. In the exemplary embodiment, the magnet block 6 is fastened to the rear wall 3.

[0033] At the bottom end of the upright 1, a drip tray 7 is arranged, which has a circumferential web 71 into which a drip grid 72 is inserted. The drip tray 7 has a rectangular cutout 73, the inner surface of which corresponds approximately to the outer surface of the bottom end of the upright 1, to which the drip tray 7 is attached with its cutout 73. In the center of the cutout 73, a circular outlet 74 is introduced into the web 71, into which a first end of an angled pipe section 115 is inserted, which protrudes from the upright 1. Within the upright 1, the other end of the angled pipe section 115 is connected to a drain line (not shown). The angled pipe section 115 in the upright 1 is positioned such that its first end is moved into the outlet 74 of the drip tray 7 when the drip tray 7 is attached.

[0034] Operating software is installed on the computer module, providing a user interface on the touchscreen, allowing the operator to select a desired beverage. A concentrate or combination of concentrates is stored in the computer module for each selectable beverage. When a beverage is selected on the touchscreen by an operator, the solenoid valves 62 of the solenoid valve block 6 associated with the concentrates assigned to this beverage, as well as another solenoid valve 55 located in the dosing unit, are activated. The opening time of the solenoid valves for various thread sizes (200 ml or 400 ml) selectable by the operator is stored in the computer module.

Claims

[1] Device for producing and dispensing beverages based on concentrates, comprising a housing in which a dosing module (5) is arranged, which is connected to at least two concentrate containers and to a water inlet, wherein a computer module is arranged, which is connected to a touch screen (4) for beverage display and selection and which is designed to control the dosing module (5) or solenoid valves connected upstream of the dosing module (5), wherein a stand system comprising at least one column is arranged, to which the touch screen (4) is attached and which has a beverage dispensing line, characterized by that the housing is part of the stand system and is detachably closed by a cover part (2), wherein the cover part (2) has the touch screen (4). [2] Device according to claim 1, characterized bythat the touch screen (4) is connected to the computer module and / or a power source via a detachably attached cable (41, 65). [3] Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the stand system is formed by exactly one stand column (1) which comprises a section (14) forming the housing, in which the dosing module (5) is arranged and which has the at least one beverage dispensing line. [4] Device according to claim 3, characterized by that the column (1) is hollow, wherein lines are guided through the column (1) which are connected to the concentrate containers or the water inlet, wherein the column (1) preferably has a rear wall (113) detachably connected thereto. [5] Device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized by that the housing (14) is elongated in the direction of the column (1) and preferably has a substantially rectangular or oval cross-section. [6] Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the cover part (2) has a flange part (22) on its rear side facing the touch screen (4), by means of which the cover part (2) is fastened to the housing (14). [7] Device according to claim 6, characterized by that the flange part (22) comprises a collar which is at least partially circumferential, the inner surface of which corresponds to the outer surface of the housing (14) which is adjacent to the cover part (2) and onto which it is at least partially pushed, or the outer surface of which corresponds to the inner surface of the housing (14) which is adjacent to the cover part (2) and into which it is at least partially pushed. [8] Device according to claim 7, characterized bythat the collar has bores for the passage of a fastening screw, via which the collar can be detachably connected to the housing (14), wherein a sealing layer is preferably arranged between the collar and the housing (14). [9] Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the computer unit is located inside the housing. [10] Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by that the computer module is arranged within the cover part (2), which is connected to a power supply via a detachably attached cable (41, 65). [11] Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the dosing module (5) arranged in the housing (14) comprises a mixing nozzle which is connected to the water inlet and on which the beverage dispensing line is arranged. [12] Device according to claim 11, characterized bythat the dosing module (5) is connected to a solenoid valve block (6) which is connected to the at least two concentrate containers. [13] Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the housing (14) has a rear wall (3) on its rear side opposite the cover part (2) which is detachably connected to the housing (14). [14] Device according to one of claims 3 to 12, characterized by that the stand column (1) has a flange part at its end facing away from the touch screen (4) for fastening the stand column (1) to a counter top. [15] Device according to one of claims 3 to 13, characterized by that the stand column (1) has a drain connection on the side at its end facing away from the touch screen (4), which is detachably connected to an arranged drip tray (7) surrounding the stand cables at least in part.

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