MACHINE FOR PREPARING HOT DRINKS

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a machine for preparing hot beverages with a holding device on which a holder for a portion pack is detachably inserted, a closing device on the holder and / or the holding device which is provided in front of a drain and by means of which the drain can be closed and opened, a device for producing hot water with an inlet arranged above the portion pack.

[0002] DE 10 2014 109 768 B3 discloses a device for preparing brewed beverages, in which a recognition system is provided on a capsule. Recognition is achieved by a light source that emits light into the base of the capsule. After being redirected, this light exits the base of the capsule and can be read by a reader for identification. Such recognition systems for capsules have proven effective for beverage preparation. However, such capsules are sometimes inserted into loose holders that can be removed for cleaning purposes, so that incorrect operation can occur if the holder is not correctly positioned in a holding device.

[0003] EP 1 786 303 B1 also shows a device for producing beverages, which includes a detection device for identifying a capsule that performs color recognition. The detection device is provided on a slide rail, so that when the capsule is fed via the slide rail, detection can be performed to control the device. However, detecting a capsule cannot prevent incorrect operation if a detachable holder is provided on a brewing chamber, which can also be incorrectly positioned.

[0004] EP 2 071 986 A1 shows a holder for inserting a capsule into a closed brewing chamber of a beverage machine. A reader for identifying the holder is located on one wall of the brewing chamber. Hot water is injected through a needle that is inserted into the capsule when a lid of the machine is moved into the closed position.

[0005] EP 3 184 009 discloses a device for preparing a beverage, in which a capsule recognition device is provided to enable the brewing parameters to be adjusted. A similar device is also disclosed in US 2011 / 0308397.

[0006] EP 2 481 330 B1 discloses a machine for preparing hot beverages having the features of the preamble of claim 1.

[0007] WO 2018 / 219883 discloses a device for detecting a filter holder of a coffee machine with a proximity sensor.

[0008] From WO2015 / 104163 A1 a portafilter with a valve mechanism at its outlet is known.

[0009] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a machine for preparing hot drinks which has increased security against incorrect operation and is easy to clean.

[0010] This object is achieved by a machine for preparing hot beverages, in particular coffee, having the features of claim 1.

[0011] In the machine according to the invention, a holder is detachably inserted into a holding device, wherein the holder serves to hold a portion pack, for example a portion pack of coffee or tea. To brew coffee or tea, hot water can then be fed to the portion pack from above via an inlet to prepare a hot beverage. The holder, which is detachably inserted into the holding device, can be removed and cleaned if necessary. To prevent incorrect operation, at least one marking is provided on the detachably inserted holder, by means of which the recognition unit can detect correct positioning of the holder on the holding device. Only when the holder is correctly positioned can a beverage be prepared via the control system.If the holder is either not inserted or incorrectly inserted into the holding device, for example, in the wrong rotational position or offset due to impurities located between the holder and the holding device, this is detected by the detection unit and can thus prevent water from flowing in. This also prevents the holder from overflowing if the locking device is closed due to incorrect positioning of the holder on the holding device, and the water introduced from above cannot reach the drain. Furthermore, the risk of scalding from hot water for the user is reduced.

[0012] Preferably, the holding device is arranged stationary and connected to the housing of the machine. The holding device can be designed, for example, as an annular support element into which the holder is removably inserted from above. The holder can have an upwardly open receptacle for inserting a portion pack.

[0013] The marking is preferably provided on an upper side of the holder, in particular on a peripheral edge. The marking can be designed, for example, as a colored element, barcode, profiling, or other marking. The recognition unit is preferably provided above the holder and can, for example, comprise a light source and an optical reader. The light source emits light onto the holder, and the reflected light is detected by the optical reader to perform recognition.

[0014] In one embodiment of the invention, the closure device is arranged on the holder, and the drain is arranged on the holding device. The closure device can, for example, comprise a spring-loaded valve that, when the holder is correctly positioned on the holding device, is pushed into an open position by a projection or stop on the holding device. The valve is thus automatically moved from the closed position to the open position when the holder is correctly inserted.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the machine includes a display that can output an error message if the holder is incorrectly positioned on the holding device. This makes it easier for the user to locate the error.

[0016] If at least two spaced-apart drain openings are provided on the drain, the machine can fill either one or two containers.

[0017] In a further embodiment, different holders can be used on the holding device, each with different markings. This allows the brewing process to be controlled by recognizing the respective holder, for example, the temperature of the hot water or the amount of hot water supplied.

[0018] For secure fixation of the holder to the holding device, locking means can be provided which cause the holder to lock when inserted, which also mechanically signals the correct positioning to the user.

[0019] The invention will be explained in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a machine according to the invention for preparing hot beverages; Figures 2A and 2B are two views of the machine of the Figure 1 in the area of ​​the holder in its correct positioning; Figures 3A and 3B two views similar to the Figure 2 with incorrectly positioned holder, and Figure 4 a view similar Figure 2 with the holder removed from the holding device.

[0020] A machine 1 for preparing hot beverages, in particular coffee or tea, comprises a housing 2 on which a container 3 for fresh water is provided, preferably in a removable design. A device for heating and conveying the water from the container 3 is provided on or in the housing. The heated water can be conveyed via an inlet 4 arranged above a portion pack 8 in which an extraction material, such as coffee or tea, is arranged. The inlet 4 has at least one outlet opening spaced above the portion pack 8, so that the hot water falls onto the portion pack by gravity. The portion pack 8 can, for example, be designed as disclosed in the application DE 10 2018 101 338.

[0021] The portion pack 8 is inserted into a holder 7, which in turn is detachably inserted into a holding device 6. The holding device 6 is part of the housing of the machine 1 or is connected to it. In the illustrated embodiment, the holding device 6 comprises an annular support element into which the holder 7 with the receptacle for the portion pack 8 is loosely inserted. Instead of an annular support element, support arms or semicircular support elements can also be provided to fix the holder 7. Below the holding device 6, a cup 9 for filling with the hot beverage is arranged on a drip tray 10 of the machine 1.

[0022] The machine 1 further comprises a controller with which the delivery of hot water to the inlet 4 can be controlled. Furthermore, the controller is coupled to a detection unit 12, which is arranged above the holder 7. The detection unit 12 comprises a light source 13, for example an LED light, and adjacent thereto an optical reader 14 and has a defined readout or focus area. A marking 11, which is designed, for example, as a colored element, is located on the holder 7. As a result, the light emitted by the light source 13 can be used to detect the reflected light at the optical reader 14, so that correct positioning of the holder 7 on the holding device 6 can be detected.

[0023] In the Figures 2A and 2BThe holder 7 and the detection unit 12 are shown schematically. If the holder 7 is in the correct position on the holding device 6, a closure device 20 is in an open position. According to the enlarged view of Figure 2B, the closure device 20 comprises a valve body 21 in the form of an annular sealing element, which can be placed on a valve seat 22 in the holder 7. The valve body 21 is arranged at a distance from the valve seat 22, and thus the valve is in an open position. The valve body 21 is held on a pin 23, which passes through an opening in the holder 7. On the lower side of the opening, a spring 24 is provided, in particular a helical spring, which biases an actuating section 25, which has a wider diameter, on the pin 23 downwards. As a result, the valve body 21 is also biased downwards by the spring 24, i.e. into the closed position.However, when the holder 7 is correctly positioned in the holding device 6, a projection 73 or stop on the holding device 6 presses against the actuating portion 25, so that the pin 23 and thus the valve body 21 are lifted upward. It can also be seen that two spaced-apart drain openings 74 are provided on the holding device 6, through which the prepared hot beverage can be dispensed.

[0024] In Figure 2A, the portion pack 8 is shown, tapering downwards in cross-section, into which hot water can be poured from above, which then flows through the portion pack 8 to prepare coffee or tea. At the top, the portion pack 8 is essentially flush with a surface 72 of the holder 7. The holder 7 comprises an outwardly projecting circumferential edge 71, which rests on an upper edge of the holding device 6. A marking 11 is provided on the upper edge 71 on an upper side, which serves for detection by the recognition unit 12. The marking 11 can be designed as a colored dot, a printed colored area, as a profiling, or as a colored insert element.

[0025] To detect correct positioning, light is emitted downwards from the light source 13, as shown by the dashed line. The reader 14 is positioned such that light reflected at the location of the marking 11 is detected, so that only when the marking 11 is correctly positioned is the light reflected in the desired color and can be detected by the reader 14. The reader 14 can be designed as a camera, for example. This allows the control of the machine 1 to be controlled depending on the detection unit 12, with the supply of hot water only being permitted when the holder 7 is correctly positioned on the holding device 6.

[0026] In Figure 3Athe holder 7 is positioned in an incorrect position on the holding device 6, for example because the holder 7 was mounted on the holding device 6 rotated by an angle or there is an impurity between the holder 7 and the holding device 6. A projection 75 is thus arranged in an incorrect position on the holding device 6, so that the holder 7 is positioned too high on the holding device 6. Due to the incorrect position of the holder 7, the closure device 20 is in a closed position, as shown in Figure 3Bis shown. The spring 24 presses the actuating section 25 downwards and thus the valve body 21 against the valve seat 22, which closes the closure device 20. In this position, the supply of hot water into the holder 7 could lead to overflow, even though the portion pack 8 is correctly positioned in the holder 7. To avoid this, the detection unit 12 detects the incorrect positioning of the holder 7, since the light emitted by the light source 13 is reflected, but not by the marking 11, but by another position on the holder 7, which leads to an error message. As a result, the control prevents the dispensing of hot water at the inlet 4. The Figure 3A The position shown can also be used as a parking position for the holder 7; the closed closure device prevents dripping downwards despite any residual water in the portion pack 8.

[0027] In Figure 4 , a further incorrect positioning of the holder 7 on the holding device 6 is shown, since the holder 7 has been completely removed from the holding device 6. Even in this position, the detection unit 12 detects that the holder 7 is not arranged in the holding device 6, since the light from the light source 13 is not reflected via the marking 11 to the optical reader 14. To avoid the risk of injury, the control system can prevent the dispensing of hot water at the inlet 4 when the holder 7 is removed.

[0028] The closure device 20 on the holder 7 is in the closed position upon removal, since the projection 73 of the holding device 6 does not lift the valve body 21 from the valve seat 22. This enables drip-free transport of a prepared portion pack, for example, into the organic waste bin.

[0029] In an alternative embodiment, the machine 1 comprises different holders 7, for example, with a different size receptacle for different-sized portion packs 8. The detection unit 12 can then detect which holder 7 is located in the holding device 6 and what quantity of hot water, and possibly at what temperature, the hot water should be supplied. Each holder 7 then has a different marking 11, for example, in different colors.

[0030] In the illustrated embodiment, the closure device 20 is provided on the holder 7. It is also possible to additionally or alternatively provide a closure device on the holding device 6 in front of the outlet. List of reference symbols

[0031] 1Machine 2Housing 3Container 4Inlet 6Holding device 7Holder 8Portion pack 9Cup 10Drip tray 11Marking 12Recognition unit 13Light source 14Reader 20Closing device 21Valve body 22Valve seat 23Pin 24Spring 25Actuating section 71Rim 72Surface 73Protrusion 74Drain opening 75Protrusion

Claims

1. Machine (1) for preparing hot beverages, comprising: - a holding device (6) on which a holder (7) for a portioned package (8) is detachably inserted; - a closure device (20) on the holder (7) and / or the holding device (6), which is provided in front of an outlet (24) and by means of which the outlet (24) can be closed and opened; - a device for producing hot water having an inlet (4) arranged above the portioned package (8), and - characterized in that the machine comprises a control system having a detection unit (12), and at least one marking (11) is provided on the detachably inserted holder (7), by means of which marking (11) a correct positioning of the holder (7) on the holding device (6) can be detected via the detection unit (12), and a beverage preparation can be carried out via the control system only if the positioning is correct, wherein the closure device (20) is arranged on the holder (7) and the outlet (24) is arranged on the holding device (6).

2. Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the holding device (6) comprises an annular support element for the holder (7) connected to a housing of the machine (1).

3. Machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the marking (11) is provided on an upper side of the holder (7).

4. Machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closure device (20) comprises a valve pretensioned by a spring (24) which, when the holder (7) is correctly positioned on the holding device (6), is pressed into an open position by a projection (73) on the holding device (6).

5. Machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the detection unit (12) comprises a light source (13) and an optical reader (14).

6. Machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the marking (11) is formed as a color element.

7. Machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a display is provided on which an error message can be output in the event of incorrect positioning of the holder (7) on the holding device (6).

8. Machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outlet (24) comprises at least two outlet openings spaced apart from each other.

9. Machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that different holders (7) are insertable on the holding device (6) and have different markings (11).

10. Machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holder (7) can be fixed to the holding device (6) by means of latching means.