BUILT-IN FULLY AUTOMATIC COFFEE MACHINE WITH DOOR FRONT

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a built-in fully automatic coffee machine for installation in a built-in niche of a kitchen unit for household or office use, with a user-accessible front surface in which a dispensing section for dispensing a ready-made hot beverage using a dispensing unit and a service section for performing supply and / or disposal activities are arranged. The front surface of the built-in fully automatic coffee machine is located on its front side, namely the only side of the intended installed fully automatic coffee machine facing an operator and accessible for operation. The other sides are usually surrounded by furniture parts. The front surface is divided into two sections. The first section is a dispensing section for dispensing a ready-made hot beverage. The second section is a service section for performing supply and / or disposal activities.Supply activities include, for example, filling at least one supply container with fresh coffee beans, filling another supply container with ground coffee, filling a water container (which may be present for redundancy reasons despite a direct water supply connection to the hot beverage preparation device), or replacing a milk container. Disposal includes, for example, removing an empty milk container or emptying the coffee grounds container.

[0002] DE 10 2012 200 312 A1 discloses a fully automatic coffee machine for household use for installation in a recess of a kitchen unit. The fully automatic coffee machine comprises a front section with a first section containing operating and dispensing elements. Furthermore, the front section of the fully automatic coffee machine comprises a second section, from which at least one service compartment for supply and / or disposal containers is accessible, wherein the first section is stationary and the second section is pivotable. Furthermore, a hot beverage maker is known from US 2 838 077 A, and a hot beverage maker with an adjustable beverage outlet is known from EP 1 512 354 A1. DE 10 2007 040 308 A1 discloses a beverage maker. US 3 851 939 A discloses a refrigerator with an integrated beverage maker and a door that, in a closed position, covers the dispensing section of the beverage maker.

[0003] The object of the invention is to provide a built-in fully automatic coffee machine for household or office use, which is suitable for installation in kitchen furniture or the like and whose front design can be adapted to existing kitchen designs.

[0004] This object is achieved according to the invention in the built-in fully automatic coffee machine mentioned above by a first door on the front surface, which, in a closed position, covers the dispensing section with the height-adjustable dispensing unit and, in an open position, makes the dispensing section accessible. The dispensing area is covered on the front surface by a first door in its closed position. In the open position of the first door, this door makes the dispensing area accessible to the user.

[0005] The inventive design of the built-in fully automatic coffee machine with a door that covers the dispensing section when closed allows the built-in fully automatic coffee machine to be optimally integrated into the design of the front surface of a piece of kitchen furniture that houses the built-in fully automatic coffee machine. At the same time, the dispensing section of the built-in fully automatic coffee machine can be made easily and conveniently accessible to a user by opening the door. The uniform front surface meets the design requirements of a modern kitchen in which the individual appliances should hardly or not at all differ from one another or from the other kitchen furniture in terms of design. From a purely practical perspective, the associated covering of the dispensing area when the first door is closed also provides positive protection against soiling.

[0006] The first door can, in principle, cover the preparation device completely or only its dispensing area. According to an advantageous development of the invention, the built-in fully automatic coffee machine can comprise a second door, which in its closed position can cover the service section and in its open position can make the service section accessible. The service section and the dispensing section can then be accessed independently of each other. In addition, the first and second doors can be equipped so that the first door assigned to the dispensing section

[0007] The first door can be operated by any user of the built-in fully automatic coffee machine, while the second door, assigned to the service section, is reserved for selected persons only, for example, appropriately qualified service personnel. For this purpose, the second door can, for example, have a lock that can only be opened by ( Continue on page 3, first paragraph )can be opened by service personnel responsible for servicing the built-in fully automatic coffee machine. The first door and the second door can extend coplanar in a common closing plane across the front of the built-in fully automatic coffee machine in their respective closed positions. This creates a particularly visually appealing overall impression of the built-in fully automatic coffee machine and any kitchen furniture that accommodates the built-in fully automatic coffee machine.

[0008] According to an advantageous development of the invention, the first door can be designed as a sliding door that can be pushed in front of the second door. In its open position, the first door can extend substantially parallel to the second door in its closed position such that the second door is arranged between the service section and the first door. When leaving the closed position, the first door then moves out of the common closing plane and slightly towards the user. The first door can then be pushed sideways in front of the second door until, in its open position, it covers the second door. When the first door is in its open position, the second door cannot be opened. As soon as the dispensing section is opened for preparing a hot beverage, the service section is therefore no longer accessible.This effectively prevents inadvertent misuse or deliberate tampering with the built-in fully automatic coffee machine during preparation. With a discreet design of the second door, for example, without a visible handle, the service area can remain invisible to the user, preventing misuse and eliminating the need to close the second door with a lap.

[0009] The first door, designed as a sliding door, can be operated without disrupting the space in front of the built-in fully automatic coffee machine where a user of the built-in fully automatic coffee machine is located. This is because the open first door does not project largely vertically into the room, comparable to a door that can be retracted into the kitchen unit. However, the first door, designed as a sliding door, can eliminate the installation space required in the kitchen unit by a retractable door. When the first door is in its open position, it not only does not obstruct the area, allowing particularly convenient access to the dispensing area, but it also blocks the service area, thus preventing the aforementioned operating errors.

[0010] In contrast, the second door of the built-in fully automatic coffee machine is preferably designed as a hinged or pivoting door. The second door can then be opened in the conventional manner to access the supply and disposal containers in the service section of the built-in fully automatic coffee machine. If necessary, the second door can be equipped with a mechanical or electronic lock. While the first door, in its open position, already obstructs access to the service area, a lock restricts access to authorized personnel, regardless of the operating status of the coffee preparation equipment.

[0011] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the built-in fully automatic coffee machine can have a guide rail that extends parallel to the second door in its closed position. The guide rail serves to guide the movement of the first door between its closed position and its open position. In particular, a sliding element movable along the guide rail and a connecting element connecting the first door to the sliding element can be provided, which enable a guided movement of the first door along the guide rail. Due to the interaction of the sliding element with the connecting element and the guide rail, the first door can be moved sideways in front of the second door when opened until the first door in its open position covers the second door in its closed position. Such a guide mechanism is simple to implement and easy to maintain.

[0012] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the built-in fully automatic coffee machine can be equipped with a drive unit configured to move the first door from its closed position to its open position upon actuation of an activation device. The drive unit can be designed either purely mechanically, for example via a preloadable spring drive, or electromechanically. It enables particularly convenient operation of the built-in fully automatic coffee machine, since a user only needs to actuate the activation device to gain access to the dispensing section of the built-in fully automatic coffee machine. A conventional manually operated power button can serve as the activation device. Alternatively, a proximity sensor can activate the drive unit when a user comes within a defined distance of the preparation device.Especially with the sensor, the automatic opening of the door gives the user a "magical" moment of surprise. The activation device can also be linked to the control system of the built-in fully automatic coffee machine in such a way that its activation also initiates a "start-up" process of the built-in fully automatic coffee machine, for example, a pre-cleaning process or heating of the brewing unit to a ready-to-use state. The built-in fully automatic coffee machine is then particularly convenient to operate.

[0013] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the built-in fully automatic coffee machine can contain a control element on the first door or all known control elements for operating the built-in fully automatic coffee machine. The control element can, for example, comprise the power button for operating the first door and / or for starting up the built-in fully automatic coffee machine. Furthermore, the control element can comprise selection switches for selecting various hot beverages, such as cappuccino, latte macchiato or even regular bean coffee, for selecting the flavor intensity, i.e. the strength of the beverage, and / or for selecting different types of coffee beans. Furthermore, the control element can contain display fields for displaying the operating status of the components of the service section.The display panels can, for example, indicate the fill level of a water or milk container located in the service section, the fill level of a coffee grounds container located in the service section, or the need for a cleaning or rinsing cycle. The arrangement of the control element(s) on the first door creates a particularly appealing design impression. This is because the entire outer surface of the first door can be used to accommodate generously sized control elements. This also allows the dispensing and service sections to be freed from the control elements and designed to be visually clearer.

[0014] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the operating element of the first door can comprise a touch-sensitive flat screen, i.e. a touchscreen. A touchscreen is not only simple, intuitive and comfortable to use, but also has a particularly visual and haptic appeal for a user of the built-in fully automatic coffee machine. Furthermore, a touchscreen can be assigned different operating and information fields depending on the situation. In idle mode, the screen can display any content or design, or it can itself be inactive, i.e. switched off. When the first door is open, on the other hand, it can only display operating and information fields that are necessary or useful for preparing hot beverages. When the dispensing section is closed but the service section is open, it can offer operating and information fields for carrying out supply and / or disposal activities.Another advantage of the touchscreen can be that when not in use, the touchscreen fits seamlessly into the existing designs of other kitchen appliances with a black front.

[0015] In a further advantageous embodiment, the service section of the built-in fully automatic coffee machine can comprise a plurality of modularly designed supply and / or disposal containers that can be individually removed from the service section. They can be used for coffee grounds, fresh and residual water, milk, coffee beans, coffee powder, and the like. This enables simple and convenient maintenance of the built-in fully automatic coffee machine. In particular, the service section can be equipped with at least one container for accessories and a receiving area for a milk storage container. By removing or adding at least one container, which can be designed in particular as a container for accessories, but also as any other supply and / or disposal container, the receiving area for a milk storage container can preferably be changed.The container is preferably positioned adjacent to the area for the milk storage container, i.e., to the left, right, or above or below it, so that the size and shape of the area for the milk storage container can be varied by removing or adding the container. A container for accessories, such as a quick reference guide or a coffee powder measuring scoop, can be particularly well-suited for this purpose, as it can most easily be dispensed with without compromising the functionality of the preparation system. The water container, which is redundant in the case of a fixed water connection, or even the third coffee bean supply container can be removed if additional space is required.This allows for the use of milk containers of various sizes and shapes in the milk storage container area, such as slim, tall milk bottles or landscape-format milk containers of various sizes, each of which can be optimally fitted into the space available in the built-in fully automatic coffee machine in a space-saving manner. This allows the service area to be designed as compact as possible without sacrificing a certain degree of flexibility.

[0016] The principle of the invention is explained in more detail below using a drawing as an example. The drawing shows: Figure 1: a front view of a closed built-in fully automatic coffee machine, Figure 2: a front view of the built-in fully automatic coffee machine with an open door assigned to the dispensing section, Figure 3: a front view of the built-in fully automatic coffee machine with an open door assigned to the service section, Figure 4: a front view of the built-in fully automatic coffee machine according to Figure 3 , with a milk bottle as a milk storage container.

[0017] The Figures 1 to 4 Each shows the same built-in fully automatic coffee machine as a hot beverage preparation device 1 from a front view, whose visible or front surface is divided into a service section 2 and a dispensing section 3. The dispensing section 3 is located on the right side, while the service section 2 is located on the left side. However, it is also possible to arrange the dispensing section 3 on the left side and the service section 2 on the right side.

[0018] The Figure 1further shows the division of the front surface of the built-in fully automatic coffee machine 1 into two symmetrical, i.e. equally sized sections 2, 3. The service section 2 and the dispensing section 3 can, however, also be asymmetrical, i.e. of different sizes. The front surface of the built-in fully automatic coffee machine 1 is formed by a first door 31 and a second door 21. The first door 31 closes the dispensing section 3, the second door 21 closes the service section 2. A control element 4, which is designed as a touchscreen, is integrated into the first door 31. If the doors 21, 31 have a black lacquer or glass surface, the control element 4 is therefore not initially visible, since its screen is visually indistinguishable from the other door surfaces. To open the dispensing section 3, a drive unit 33 is attached to the first door 31 and is therefore not visible from the outside.The second door 21 has a lock 34 that prevents unauthorized access to the service unit 2. Apart from that, the doors 21, 31 have no other externally visible elements such as handles, furniture knobs, or the like. When both the first and second doors 31, 21 are in their closed positions, as shown in . Figure 1 They extend coplanarly across the front surface of the built-in fully automatic coffee machine 1. They therefore create a coplanar front surface of the built-in fully automatic coffee machine 1 with a uniform design, which can be seamlessly integrated into existing kitchen and office furnishings. Because both the service section 2 and the dispensing section 3 are completely concealed by the doors 21, 31, and the doors initially offer no indication of them, the built-in fully automatic coffee machine 1 is also not visually perceptible.

[0019] In her Figure 2In the open position shown, the first door 31 makes the dispensing section 2 accessible. It is designed as a sliding door and can be moved in front of and parallel to the door 21. In the dispensing section 3 and behind the door 31 there is a height-adjustable dispensing unit 32 for dispensing a finished hot beverage, beneath which a suitable container, for example a cup or a glass, can be positioned to collect the hot beverage. The open dispensing section 3 itself is thus reduced to what is essential for a user of the built-in fully automatic coffee machine 1, allowing them to concentrate solely on their hot beverage.

[0020] In their in the Figures 3 and 4In the open position shown, the second door 21 makes the service section 2 accessible and at the same time blocks the door 31 (not shown separately) and thus access to the dispensing area 3. The service section 2 is used to carry out supply and disposal activities and comprises a plurality of drawer-shaped supply and disposal containers 22 to 25 and 27 to 29, the function of which is described in more detail below. The supply containers 22, 23 are containers for coffee beans, so that it is possible to offer two different types of coffee beans. The supply container 24 is a container for ground coffee, so that freshly brewed filter coffee can also be offered without the need for grinding. A brewing unit 26 is accommodated beneath the supply container 24, which is used to hold ground coffee. In contrast to comparable known preparation devices, it is therefore accessible from the service section 2.The disposal container 27 is a container for coffee grounds. The supply container 28 is a water tank that acts as a buffer for water despite a permanent water connection, which is not shown in the figures. The supply container 29 is designed as an accessory drawer that can be used to store small items, such as spoons, which may be useful for filling the supply containers 22 to 24, the coffee bean containers, and the coffee powder container, or to store a quick reference guide for the built-in fully automatic coffee machine 1. The supply container 25 is a milk container that is accommodated in a corresponding receiving area 35 for a milk storage container. As explained in more detail below, milk in its original packaging can be placed in the built-in fully automatic coffee machine 1 and connected to it via a hose.By separating service section 2 and serving section 3 and in particular by reducing serving section 3 to what is essential for the user, the design approach of reducing a modern kitchen to the essentials is supported.

[0021] The touchscreen, as control element 4, can display an operable power button for starting the built-in fully automatic coffee machine 1, as well as selection switches for selecting various hot beverages, such as cappuccino, latte macchiato, or ground coffee, for selecting the flavor intensity (i.e., the strength of the beverage), and / or for selecting different types of coffee beans. The touchscreen offers the possibility of positioning the various control elements depending on the context or which of the doors 21, 31 is open.Since in Figure 3 the door 21 is open and the service section is thus accessible, the control element 4 displays various display fields for indicating the operating status of the built-in fully automatic coffee machine 1, on which, for example, the fill level of a water or milk container provided in the service section 2, the fill level of a coffee grounds container provided in the service section 2, or the need for a cleaning or rinsing process are displayed. The arrangement of the control element 4 on the first door 31 offers the possibility of a very generous design of the control element 4, since a great deal of space is available on the first door 31. This creates an optimal design impression and enables convenient operation of the built-in fully automatic coffee machine 1.

[0022] The control element 4 is designed as a touchscreen and is not visible when the built-in fully automatic coffee machine 1 is not in use. This allows the design of the built-in fully automatic coffee machine 1 to blend in perfectly with the surrounding kitchen or office furnishings. Furthermore, the control element 4 is coupled to a motion sensor (not shown in the figures) that detects movements in the vicinity of the built-in fully automatic coffee machine 1. When the motion sensor detects that a user of the built-in fully automatic coffee machine 1 is approaching, the control element 4 on the first door 3 lights up and enables the desired function to be entered. For example, you can select whether you want a coffee with sugar and milk or a latte macchiato to be dispensed.

[0023] The first door 31 assigned to the service section 3 is designed as a sliding door. It is located between its Figures 1 shown closed position and its Figure 2illustrated open position. When opened, it extends parallel to the second door 21 in its closed position. In its open position, the first door 31 is parallel to the second door 21 in its closed position, the position of which in Figure 2is shown in dashed lines, and positioned in front of the service section 2, wherein the second door 21 is arranged between the service section 2 and the first door 31 arranged in its open position. This means that the first door 31, in its open position, already denies access to the service area 2 even without the lock 34. This is a particularly safety-relevant aspect, since the open position of the first door 31 already blocks access to the service area 2 for the user. This ensures, for example, that the user cannot come into contact with the brewing unit 26, especially when it is in operation.The first door 31 is coupled to a drive unit 33, which moves the first door 31 from its closed position to its open position upon actuation of a power button shown on the control element 4, so that a user of the built-in fully automatic coffee machine 1 only needs to press the power button to gain access to the dispensing section 2 of the hot beverage preparation device 1. Furthermore, the power button is coupled to a control unit of the built-in fully automatic coffee machine 1 (not shown in the figures), which, upon actuation of the power button, initiates a "start-up process" of the built-in fully automatic coffee machine 1, which puts it into an operational state.

[0024] The second door 21 assigned to the service section 2 is designed as a hinged or pivoting door, which opens in the direction of the arrow P in Figure 3can be pivoted from its closed position to its open position. The first door 31, when the second door 21 is open, can display the relevant information on the control element 4 thanks to its touchscreen design. It can indicate, for example, that a coffee bean container 22, 23 needs to be refilled or that the coffee grounds container 27 needs to be emptied. Information about a brewing unit 26 that needs to be cleaned can also be displayed here if necessary. Due to the space available on the first door 31, it is also possible to display information about the procedure for cleaning the brewing unit. The second door 21 is provided with a lock 34. This allows the service section 2 to be protected from unauthorized access.

[0025] The supply and / or disposal containers 22 to 25 and 27 to 29 provided in the service section 2 of the built-in fully automatic coffee machine 1 can each be removed individually from the service section 2 of the built-in fully automatic coffee machine 1. As can be seen from a comparison of the Figures 3 and 4 As is clear, the shape and size of the receiving area 35 for a milk storage container 25 can be changed by removing or adding the supply container 29. In particular, by removing the supply container 29, the receiving area 35 for a milk storage container can be enlarged such that a tall milk container 25, such as a bottle, can be inserted into the receiving area 35.

[0026] Since the four figures described in detail above are exemplary embodiments, they can be modified extensively by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, the specific embodiments of the figures can also be implemented in a form other than that described here. Likewise, service section 2 can be implemented in a different form if necessary for reasons of space or design. Furthermore, the use of the indefinite articles "ein" or "eine" does not preclude the possibility that the relevant features may be present multiple times. List of reference symbols

[0027] 1 built-in fully automatic coffee machine 2Service section 3Dispensing section 4Control element 21Second door 22Coffee bean container 23Coffee bean container 24Coffee powder container 25Milk container 26Brewing unit 27Coffee grounds container 28Water tank 29Accessories drawer 31First door 32Dispensing unit 33Drive unit 34Lock 35Receiving area for a milk storage container PParrow indicating the opening direction of the second door

Claims

1. Built-in fully automatic coffee machine (1) for use in the household or office with a front area which is accessible for a user, in which an output section (3) for outputting a ready-made hot drink with an output unit (32) and a service section (2) for carrying out supply and disposal functions are arranged, characterised in that the output unit (32) is height-adjustable and a first door (31) covers the output unit (3) on the front area in a closed position and makes the output unit (3) accessible for the outputting of a ready-made hot drink in an open position.

2. Built-in fully automatic coffee machine according to claim 1, characterised by a second door (21) which covers the service section (2) in a closed position and which makes the service section (2) accessible in an open position, wherein the first door (31), in its closed position, and the second door (21), in its closed position, extend in a coplanar manner over the front side of the built-in fully automatic coffee machine (1).

3. Built-in fully automatic coffee machine according to claim 2, characterised by a sliding door as the first door (31), which, its open position, extends essentially parallel to the second door (21), which is arranged in its closed position, such that the second door (21) is arranged between the service section (2) and the first door (31).

4. Built-in fully automatic coffee machine according to claim 2 or 3, characterised by a hinged door or pivot door as the second door (21).

5. Built-in fully automatic coffee machine according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterised by a guide rail which extends parallel to the second door (21) in the closed position thereof, for moving the first door (31) between its closed position and its open position, by way of a positioning element which is moveable along the guide rail and by way of a connecting element which connects the first door (31) to the positioning element.

6. Built-in fully automatic coffee machine according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised by a drive unit (33) which is designed to move the first door (31) from its closed position to its open position when a switch-on button is actuated.

7. Built-in fully automatic coffee machine according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in the first door (31) includes an operating element (4) for operating the built-in fully automatic coffee machine (1).

8. Built-in fully automatic coffee machine according to claim 7, characterised in that the operating element (4) of the first door (31) comprises a touch-sensitive flat screen.

9. Built-in fully automatic coffee machine according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the service section (2) comprises a plurality of supply and disposal containers (22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 28, 29) for coffee grounds, water, coffee beans and / or for instant coffee which can be individually removed from the service section.

10. Built-in fully automatic coffee machine according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the service section (2) comprises at least one container (29) for accessories and a receiving area (35) for a milk storage container (25), wherein the receiving area (35) can be modified for a milk storage container (25) by removing or adding at least one container (29).