Device and method for producing a solution from an active substance and a solvent and for feeding the solution to a beverage preparation machine

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for producing a solution from an active substance and a solvent and for supplying the solution to a beverage preparation machine according to the preamble of claim 1, as well as a method for producing an active substance solution and supplying the active substance solution to a beverage preparation machine.

[0002] For cleaning beverage preparation machines, such as semi- or fully automatic coffee machines, cleaning devices integrated into the beverage preparation machine are known from the prior art. The cleaning device is used in predefined cleaning cycles both during operation and after the beverage preparation machine has been switched off. For example, it can clean the coffee and milk-carrying components of coffee and milk residues and contaminants, thus keeping the beverage preparation machine under perfect hygienic conditions at all times. The cleaning cycles can either be started manually by an operator or initiated automatically by a control system of the beverage preparation machine.

[0003] For the automatic cleaning of beverage preparation machines, cleaning devices are known from the prior art, in which a cartridge with a cleaning agent inserted therein is used. Such a cleaning device is known, for example, from DE 10 2015 108 438 A1, in which a cartridge filled with a cleaning agent is connected to a liquid supply for hot beverage preparation in the beverage preparation machine in order to direct a liquid, in particular water, into the cartridge and dissolve the solid cleaning agent contained in the cartridge. This ensures that an operator of the beverage preparation machine does not come into contact with the aggressive cleaning agent, since it is stored in a sealed manner in the cartridge.However, the dissolution of the cleaning agent contained in the cartridge in the liquid supplied to the cartridge is often incomplete because the water flowing through the cartridge cannot completely convert the solid cleaning agent into a liquid cleaning solution. This makes it difficult to accurately dose the amount of cleaning agent required to complete a cleaning cycle or to achieve the required concentration of the cleaning agent in a cleaning solution created by dissolving the cleaning agent in the liquid. Furthermore, cleaning devices with cleaning agent cartridges have disadvantages from the point of view of waste prevention. This is because the emptied cartridges, which usually have a plastic housing, are intended for single use and must be disposed of.

[0004] Another device for cleaning a coffee machine with a water tank, a heating device, a brewing unit and a water pipe system with a feed pump for conveying water from the water tank through the water pipe system is known from DE 10 2011 054 601 A1, wherein the cleaning device comprises a chamber for a descaling and / or cleaning agent, which can be connected or switched on to the water pipe system, so that the water can be conveyed from the water tank by means of the feed pump of the coffee machine through the chamber into the water pipe system of the coffee machine.This cleaning device is intended to enable complete dissolution and mixing of the descaling and / or cleaning agent by dissolving the agent contained in the chamber into an aqueous solution by introducing and transporting water through the chamber, and then directing the aqueous solution from the chamber into the coffee machine's water supply system, in particular to clean the brewing unit and / or the heating device with the cleaning agent solution. However, even with this device, it is difficult to precisely measure the amount of cleaning agent required for a cleaning process or the concentration of the cleaning agent in the cleaning solution.

[0005] For the precise dosing of a specific amount of a cleaning agent required for carrying out a cleaning process in a beverage preparation machine, cleaning devices with a dosing device for the cleaning agent are known from the prior art, wherein a solid cleaning agent, for example in powder, granulate, solid, or tablet form, is fed to the dosing device. EP 1 210 894 B1, for example, discloses a beverage machine, in particular a coffee machine, with an inlet device for solid cleaning agent, in particular in pressed body form, in which an automatically dosing, self-contained dosing device for the cleaning agent is provided. The dosing device comprises a storage container for the solid cleaning agent and a dosing unit with a movable dosing chamber through which a predetermined amount of the cleaning agent can be conveyed from the storage container into an outlet.

[0006] Another cleaning system for a beverage vending machine, in particular a coffee machine, is known from EP 2 584 946 B1. The cleaning system includes a cleaning device for periodically cleaning the components that come into contact with the beverages using a cleaning fluid. To produce the cleaning fluid, a solid cleaning agent, which may in particular be in the form of balls or tablets, is dissolved in the cleaning fluid in the cleaning device. The cleaning device comprises a controlled dosing device with a dosing gate that releases the cleaning balls or tablets, which are stored in a storage container, into a dispensing chute with a dosing opening. Two counter-rotating dosing screws are arranged between the storage container and the dispensing chute, through which the cleaning balls or tablets can be conveyed individually into the dispensing chute.

[0007] US 5 551 988 discloses a method for cleaning a brewing device, in particular a coffee machine, wherein for the cleaning process water is supplied from a water container or from an external water connection via a supply line to the water connection of a brewing cylinder, and in at least one cleaning phase water is conducted through rinsing channels from the brewing cylinder to areas outside the brewing cylinder, wherein in a first phase the water can be conducted via the water connection into the brewing cylinder and from there via a drain line in a brewing piston movably arranged in the brewing cylinder to an external water container, wherein the brewing piston covers the rinsing channels, and in a second phase the water in the brewing cylinder can flow out over the edge of the brewing cylinder by lifting an ejection piston movably arranged in the brewing cylinder and the brewing piston being retracted at the same time.In a further phase of the cleaning process, a chemical and / or biological cleaning process can take place, for which a cleaning agent is thrown into the brewing cylinder via a powder chute and water is introduced into the brewing cylinder.

[0008] The cleaning devices known from the prior art with a dosing device for the dosed supply of a solid cleaning agent enable, on the one hand, simple and safe handling of the cleaning agent and, on the other hand, precise dosing of the amount of cleaning agent required for a cleaning process and a precisely dosed active ingredient concentration of the cleaning agent in a cleaning liquid which is produced by dissolving the solid cleaning agent.

[0009] In addition to cleaning solutions, beverage preparation machines also require other types of solutions of an active substance in a solvent, such as descaling solutions, solutions of aroma or flavoring agents, and solutions of powders or granules, such as milk, sugar, or chocolate powder, in liquid solvents such as water or milk. Therefore, there is still a need for a device for producing a solution from an active substance and a solvent and for feeding the solution to a beverage preparation machine, which device ensures homogeneous mixing or complete dissolution of the active substance in the solvent with a precise active substance concentration, as well as safe feeding of the solution to the beverage preparation machine.

[0010] Based on this, there is a need for a device for producing a solution from an active substance and a solvent and for supplying the produced solution to a beverage preparation machine. This device enables complete dissolution of the active substance, which is supplied, for example, in powder or tablet form using a dosing device, in the solvent in order to create an optimal concentration of the active substance in the solution with a homogeneous concentration distribution over the volume of a dose of the solution. In particular, complete dissolution or homogeneous mixing of the active substance in the solution should be achieved. Furthermore, the consumption of active substance should be minimized.The device should be fully automatically controllable by a control device of the beverage preparation machines in order to be able to carry out, for example, pre-programmed cleaning cycles or production cycles for the manufacture of beverages fully automatically with an exact dosage of the amount of active substance required for the cleaning or production cycle with an optimal active substance concentration in the solution in a dose of the solution required for the cleaning or production cycle.

[0011] The object underlying the invention therefore consists in providing such a device for producing a solution from an active substance and a solvent and for supplying the solution to a beverage preparation machine, with which different solutions from different active substances and solvents can be produced and transferred to a beverage preparation machine. The active substance should be able to be in solid form, for example in powder or tablet form, or in liquid form, and it should be possible to use different solvents in liquid form, in particular water or milk, to produce the solution. In particular, complete dissolution and an optimal concentration of the active substance in the solvent with a homogeneous concentration distribution over the volume of the solution should be achieved.The device should be fully automatically controllable by a control device of the beverage preparation machines in order to be able to carry out, for example, pre-programmed processes, such as cleaning or descaling processes or processes for preparing beverages, fully automatically with an exact concentration of the active substance and the amount of solution required for the respective process.

[0012] These objects are achieved with the device for producing a solution from an active substance and a solvent and for supplying the solution to a beverage preparation machine having the features of claim 1, as well as with the method for supplying an active substance solution to a beverage preparation machine having the features of claim 13. A beverage preparation machine equipped with a device according to the invention further contributes to achieving the object. Preferred embodiments of the device, the beverage preparation machine equipped with the device, and the method can be found in the dependent claims.

[0013] The device according to the invention comprises a dissolving chamber for receiving an active substance and a liquid line system coupled to the dissolving chamber with a solvent line connectable to a solvent supply for supplying the solvent and a drain line connected to the dissolving chamber, which can be connected to the beverage preparation machine, wherein a piston unit is provided which comprises a first piston insertable into the dissolving chamber, a second piston and a connecting line arranged between the first piston and the second piston.

[0014] The liquid solvent, which is in particular water, milk or alcohol, can be fed into the dissolving chamber through the solvent line in order to dissolve a predetermined amount of the active substance contained therein in an active substance solution. The first piston, which can be inserted into the dissolving chamber, enables good and homogeneous mixing of the active substance in the active substance solution and the piston also closes off an active substance access point in the first chamber through which the active substance is supplied when the piston is inserted into the dissolving chamber in an operating position. When the first piston is in its operating position in the dissolving chamber, the solvent can be introduced into the dissolving chamber via the solvent line in order to dissolve the amount of active substance contained in the chamber in the active substance solution.For this purpose, the first piston is preferably arranged in the dissolving chamber so that it can move between an upper basic position, in which the first piston is pulled out of the dissolving chamber, and the lower operating position, in which the first piston is located in the dissolving chamber. This enables, on the one hand, complete dissolution and homogeneous mixing of the active substance in the active substance solution, as well as a homogeneous concentration of the active substance in a predetermined volume of the active substance solution. On the other hand, it ensures that no further active substance can enter the chamber during the dissolution or mixing of the active substance, because the active substance access to the chamber is closed by the piston inserted into the dissolving chamber.

[0015] The active substance can be, for example, a cleaning or descaling agent or ingredients for beverages such as sugar, syrup or other concentrates, milk or chocolate powder, aromas or flavorings or alcoholic beverages.

[0016] According to the invention, the first piston is a component of a piston unit which comprises the first piston, a second piston and a connecting line which is arranged between the first piston and the second piston and connects the two pistons. The second piston is arranged such that it can move in a pre-chamber, the pre-chamber being arranged in particular upstream of the dissolving chamber as seen in the flow direction of the solvent supplied via the solvent line and being in fluid communication with the dissolving chamber via the connecting line. A movement of the second piston in the pre-chamber is transmitted to the first piston via the connecting line. The solvent line is preferably connected to an inlet connection of the pre-chamber. This arrangement enables automatic movement of the first piston and the second piston connected to it via the connecting line in the dissolving chamber.the pre-chamber when solvent is introduced into the pre-chamber through the solvent line. Due to the pressure of the introduced solvent, the second piston in the pre-chamber is moved from a basic position to an operating position, in particular from top to bottom, and the first piston also moves into its operating position, while the solvent can flow through the connecting line from the pre-chamber into the dissolving chamber in order to fill the dissolving chamber with solvent and to dissolve the amount of active substance contained therein in the solvent or to mix it with the solvent in order to produce an active substance solution.

[0017] To preload the piston unit, it preferably comprises a spring element which preloads the second piston in the pre-chamber in its basic position. When solvent is introduced into the pre-chamber, the spring element is compressed by the pressure of the solvent flow against its restoring force, whereby the second piston and the first piston are brought into their respective operating positions. The spring element is expediently arranged between the first piston and the second piston and in particular around the tubular connecting line, and the spring element is preferably supported on a support in the pre-chamber. The support is preferably arranged in an end region of the pre-chamber, in particular on a base of the pre-chamber, wherein the spring element extends between the support and an end face, in particular the lower end face, of the second piston.Due to this arrangement, the spring element, in an unloaded state, exerts a preload on the first and second pistons, which holds the first and second pistons in their respective home positions, the first piston being pulled out of the release chamber in its home position and the second piston being in its home position within the pre-chamber in an (upper) limit position, in which the second piston rests against an (upper) stop of the pre-chamber.

[0018] In order to ensure a safe movement of the first piston into its operating position when introducing solvent through the solvent line and to hold the first piston in this operating position during the introduction of solvent, the pre-chamber preferably has a larger cross-section and in particular a larger diameter than the dissolving chamber and accordingly the second piston preferably also has a larger cross-section and in particular a larger diameter than the first piston.Due to the larger cross-section of the first piston compared to the cross-section of the second piston, the counterforce exerted by the solvent introduced into the dissolving chamber on the first piston, in particular on its lower end face, is smaller than the force exerted by the pressure of the solvent flow on the second piston, in particular on its upper end face, whereby the first and second pistons are each held in their operating position as long as solvent is introduced via the solvent line.

[0019] Preferably, at least one valve, in particular a shut-off valve and / or a control valve, in particular a pressure control valve, and / or a pressure reducer, is arranged in the solvent line. The arrangement of a shut-off valve enables the solvent line to be opened and closed, thereby introducing solvent into the device and stopping the solvent supply. The arrangement of a pressure control valve and / or a pressure reducer in the solvent line enables the setting of a predetermined pressure of the solvent flow, which is preferably in the range of 3 to 10 bar.

[0020] To seal the first and the pre-chamber, the first piston and the second piston preferably each have at least one sealing element, wherein the sealing element of the first piston sealingly abuts an inner wall of the release chamber and the sealing element of the second piston sealingly abuts an inner wall of the pre-chamber.

[0021] To supply a predetermined amount of active substance, the dissolution chamber preferably has at least one active substance inlet, wherein the active substance inlet is expediently arranged in an upper region or at an upper end of the dissolution chamber. The or each active substance inlet comprises an opening in a wall of the dissolution chamber through which the active substance, which may be in the form of tablets or spheres, or also as granules, powder, or liquid, can be introduced into the dissolution chamber.

[0022] Preferably, the first piston, in its operating position, is located far enough within the dissolving chamber to block access to the active substance inlet into the dissolving chamber. This ensures that no further active substance can be introduced into the dissolving chamber while solvent is being introduced into the dissolving chamber, thereby ensuring precise dosing of the active substance quantity in the dissolving chamber and precise concentration of the active substance in the active substance solution.

[0023] The active substance inlet is expediently coupled to a dispenser or dosing device in order to dose a predetermined amount of the active substance through the active substance inlet into the dissolution chamber. The dispenser or dosing device is preferably a dispenser with which a solid active substance, for example in the form of spheres or tablets stored in a reservoir, can be individually fed to the active substance inlet. Such a dosing device is known, for example, from EP 2 584 946 B1. This ensures precise dosing of the amount of active substance introduced into the dissolution chamber via the active substance inlet. It is possible, for example, to introduce a predeterminable number of active substance spheres or tablets into the dissolution chamber, so that different concentrations of the active substance can be generated in a dose of the active substance solution determined by the available volume of the dissolution chamber by the number of spheres or tablets.

[0024] To discharge the active substance solution produced in the dissolving chamber into a discharge line connected to the line system of the beverage preparation machine, the device preferably comprises a compressed gas line which can be coupled to a compressed gas source. For this purpose, the pre-chamber is preferably connected to the compressed gas line, wherein the compressed gas line expediently opens into the pre-chamber in an upper section or at an upper side. Alternatively, the compressed gas line can also open into the solvent line. After the solvent supply has ended and preferably after the active substance has completely dissolved in the active substance solution, a compressed gas (compressed gas), e.g. compressed air, can be introduced via the compressed gas line into the device and in particular into the pre-chamber and via the connecting line into the dissolving chamber in order to press the active substance solution produced in the dissolving chamber into the discharge line connected to the dissolving chamber.

[0025] A shut-off valve and / or a control valve is preferably arranged in the drain line to open and close the drain line or to adjust a specific flow cross-section in the drain line. A control valve arranged in the drain line can be used to adjust the volume flow of the discharged active substance solution and / or the pressure in the dissolving chamber.

[0026] The device can be operated in continuous or batch mode, depending on the position of the shut-off or control valve in the drain line. During continuous operation, the shut-off or control valve in the drain line is at least partially open, while solvent is continuously passed through the dissolving chamber, whereby the active substance in the dissolving chamber is dissolved or mixed in an active substance solution and the active substance solution is discharged directly and continuously through the open drain line to the beverage preparation machine. The use of a control valve in the drain line is advantageous because the flow cross-section in the drain line can be adjusted by changing the position of the control valve. By changing the flow cross-section in the drain line, the volume flow of the active substance solution and the concentration of the active substance in the active substance solution can be adjusted.A nozzle arranged in the connecting line ensures that the piston unit and in particular the first piston is held in a predetermined operating position, regardless of the position of the control valve in the drain line.

[0027] During batch operation, the shut-off or control valve in the drain line is closed, while solvent is fed into the dissolving chamber via the solvent line at a predetermined pressure. To set a specific pressure of the solvent flow, a pressure control valve and / or a pressure reducer is preferably arranged in the solvent line. In batch operation of the device, with the drain line closed in the operating position, the exact position of the first piston in the dissolving chamber can be adjusted via the pressure of the solvent flow. The position of the first piston in the operating position determines the volume in the first chamber in which the active substance solution is generated by dissolving or mixing the active substance.The position of the first piston in the operating position therefore determines the volume of a dose of the active substance solution that is made available by the device for carrying out a process in the beverage preparation machine. After the active substance has been dissolved or mixed in the active substance solution, the water supply is stopped by closing the shut-off or control valve in the drain line. With the valve in the drain line open, the dose of the active substance solution contained in the dissolving chamber is fed into the dissolving chamber of the beverage preparation machine by introducing a compressed gas, e.g., compressed air. The volume flow of the active substance solution supplied to the beverage preparation machine can be adjusted by the position of a control valve arranged in the drain line.

[0028] To control a process in the beverage preparation machine, e.g., a cleaning process, the device is preferably coupled to a control device of the beverage preparation machine, which automatically initiates a process, e.g., a cleaning or descaling process, or the production of a beverage selected by the operator, at predetermined times and / or events, e.g., the switching on or off of the beverage preparation machine, after a beverage selection by an operator, or after a predetermined number of beverages have been dispensed. Various such processes can also be programmed or become programmed in the control device, with each process preferably being assigned a specific dosage and / or concentration of the active substance solution required to carry out the process in the beverage preparation machine.Preferably, the control device is programmable so that an operator can set specific processes and cycles individually according to his needs or depending on the beverages produced with the beverage preparation machine.

[0029] To control the device, the valves arranged in the solvent line and in the drain line are coupled to the control device. This allows the solvent line and the drain line to be opened and closed, or the control device can set a specific pressure of the solvent flow in the solvent line and / or a specific volume flow of the active substance solution when feeding it to the beverage preparation machine. Furthermore, the control device is preferably also coupled to the compressed gas source and / or a valve in the compressed gas line to control the supply of the compressed gas. If the active substance inlet is coupled to a dispenser or a dosing device, the dispenser or dosing device is expediently also controlled by the control device.

[0030] A particularly rapid and complete dissolution of solid active substance in the active substance solution can be achieved if warm or hot solvent is supplied to the dissolving chamber, in which the solid active substance dissolves. Therefore, the solvent line is preferably coupled to a solvent supply that provides heated solvent, which in particular has a temperature between 40°C and 100°C. The solvent supply is expediently coupled to a boiler or a continuous-flow heater of the beverage preparation machine, which, for example, produces hot water or warm milk for beverage preparation. In a preferred embodiment, the prechamber is connected via the solvent line to the boiler or the continuous-flow heater, which provides heated solvent at a temperature of at least 40°C.

[0031] In the method according to the invention for supplying an active substance solution to a beverage preparation machine, which is in particular a beverage preparation machine equipped with a device according to the invention, a solution of an active substance and a solvent is first prepared in a dissolving chamber by dosing a specific amount of an active substance into the dissolving chamber and then feeding a solvent into the dissolving chamber via a solvent line connectable to a solvent supply, whereby the active substance is dissolved in the solvent to form an active substance solution. The active substance solution is then supplied to the beverage preparation machine via a drain line connected to the dissolving chamber. According to the invention, after the active substance has been dosed into the dissolving chamber, a first piston is introduced into the dissolving chamber and pressed into the dissolving chamber by a pressure generated by the introduced solvent.

[0032] It is preferably provided that the solvent fed into the dissolving chamber has a temperature of at least 40°C, preferably more than 60°C, and in particular between 60°C and 100°C. This improves the efficiency of the dissolving process in the dissolving chamber. Furthermore, the solvent fed into the dissolving chamber preferably has a pressure of at least 3 bar, preferably between 3 bar and 10 bar, and in particular between 4 bar and 6 bar. This pressure of the introduced solvent pushes the first piston into the dissolving chamber and holds it in an operating position as long as solvent is supplied at the predetermined pressure.

[0033] To carry out the method, the dissolving chamber is preferably fluidically coupled to a pre-chamber, wherein the solvent line carrying the solvent is connected to the pre-chamber in order to guide the solvent into the pre-chamber and into the dissolving chamber. The first piston is connected to a second piston via a connecting line, the second piston being movably arranged in the pre-chamber. After a specific amount of the active substance has been metered, the solvent is introduced into the dissolving chamber, and during the solvent supply the first piston is introduced into the dissolving chamber and held in its operating position. The inflowing solvent initially pushes the second piston into the pre-chamber, and the pressure generated by the introduced solvent is transferred from the second piston to the first piston, thereby moving the first piston into its operating position in the dissolving chamber.After the first piston is inserted into its operating position, the solvent flows into the first chamber through the connecting line connecting the first and second pistons. The connecting line, which is particularly tubular, preferably extends through the first and second pistons to establish a fluidic connection between the dissolving chamber and the prechamber.

[0034] When solvent is supplied through the solvent line, the pressure generated by the introduced solvent flow pushes the first piston into the dissolving chamber. The pressure generated by the introduced solvent initially acts on the second piston, in particular its upper end face, and is transferred from there to the first piston. The cross-section of the second piston, upon which the pressure of the solvent flow acts, is preferably larger than the cross-section of the first piston, upon which a counterpressure acts, generated by the solvent flowing into the dissolving chamber via the connecting line.

[0035] After the active substance solution is generated by dissolving or mixing the active substance in the solvent supplied to the dissolving chamber, the solvent supply is first stopped. The active substance solution is then forced from the dissolving chamber into the drain line by introducing a compressed gas, particularly compressed air, into the dissolving chamber, and is then fed to the beverage preparation machine. In continuous operation, the active substance solution generated in the dissolving chamber can also be fed into the drain line during the solvent supply.

[0036] As soon as the active substance solution has been completely transferred into the drain line, the introduction of the compressed gas into the release chamber is stopped, whereby the second piston moves automatically out of the release chamber into its home position due to the restoring force of a spring element.

[0037] When the first piston is in its home position outside the dissolution chamber, the active substance access through which the active substance is introduced into the dissolution chamber is open. The active substance access is blocked when the first piston is in an operating position inside the dissolution chamber. This prevents active substance from entering the dissolution chamber during the generation of the active substance solution.

[0038] The method is preferably controlled automatically by a control device which, in particular, controls a valve in the solvent line and / or a solvent supply connected thereto, a dispenser or a dosing device for dispensing the specific amount of the active substance, a pressurised gas source for introducing a pressurised gas into the dissolving chamber and a valve in the discharge line in order to carry out the above-described steps for producing an active substance solution and supplying the active substance solution to a beverage preparation machine.

[0039] The control device is preferably configured or programmable such that, following predetermined events which are particularly dependent on operation of the beverage preparation device and / or following a selection by an operator via a communication interface of the beverage preparation device or at predetermined times, a process of the beverage preparation device is automatically carried out, wherein in the process the active substance solution produced can be used in the beverage preparation device, for example, to produce a beverage or to carry out a cleaning or descaling process.

[0040] The invention further relates to a beverage preparation machine, in particular a coffee machine, in which hot milk and warm or cold milk foam can also be prepared, preferably via an integrated milk module. The beverage preparation machine is equipped with a device according to the invention. A device according to the invention is preferably integrated into the beverage preparation machine or can be inserted as an exchangeable module. The device is expediently coupled to a brewing device for brewing a hot beverage and / or to a milk module for heating and / or frothing milk, as well as to a line system in order to be able to supply a generated active substance solution to the brewing device and / or the milk module, as well as to the lines of the line system in which the beverages and beverage ingredients are transported.

[0041] These and other advantages, applications, and features of the invention will become apparent from the embodiment described below with reference to the drawings, in which: Fig. 1: a schematic representation of a first embodiment of a device according to the invention in a basic position; Fig. 2: schematic representations of the device of Figure 1 in different positions during the initiation and execution of a cycle for the preparation and transfer of an active substance solution to a beverage preparation machine, whereby Figure 2(a) shows the device in the basic position in which an active substance is supplied, Figure 2(b) shows the device in an operating position in which a solvent is supplied and the active substance is dissolved therein to form an active substance solution, Figure 2(c) shows the device in the operating position in which the active substance solution is discharged and Figure 2(d)the device is shown in its basic position again, ready to receive the active substance for a subsequent cycle; Fig. 3: a schematic representation of a second embodiment of a device according to the invention in a basic position.

[0042] The Figure 1The device shown comprises a dissolving chamber 4 with a first piston 6 movably arranged therein and a pre-chamber 3 with a second piston 5 movably arranged therein. The dissolving chamber 4 and the pre-chamber 3 are hollow cylindrical and each have a cylindrical wall. The dissolving chamber 4 extends vertically from an open upper end to a lower end, which is funnel-shaped and opens into a discharge line 13 connected to the dissolving chamber 4. The first piston 6 can be introduced into the dissolving chamber 4 through the end which is open at the top. The pre-chamber 3 is arranged above the dissolving chamber 4 and also extends between an upper end and a lower end, wherein the lower end has a bottom with a central opening. At the upper end of the pre-chamber 3 there is an inlet nozzle to which a solvent line 1 is connected.The solvent line 1 is part of a liquid line system of the device, which comprises the solvent line 1 and the drain line 13. The solvent line 1 is connected to a solvent supply 20, which provides a solvent, e.g., water. The solvent can be heated and preferably has a temperature of at least 40°C and in particular in the range between 60°C and 100°C. Heating the solvent is advantageous, for example, if a cleaning agent solution is to be produced from the solvent, since its effectiveness is improved at higher temperatures. Furthermore, the efficiency of the dissolving process is improved at these temperatures. A check valve 10 is arranged in the solvent line 1 and serves to open and close the solvent line 1. Instead of a check valve, or in addition thereto, a control valve and / or a pressure reducer can also be arranged in the solvent line 1.

[0043] In the area of ​​the upper end of the prechamber 3, a stop 21 is arranged, which can be formed, for example, by an annular flange projecting from the wall of the prechamber 3 into the chamber interior. The second piston 5, which is movably arranged in the prechamber 3, can move in the prechamber 3 between a basic position a and an operating position b, wherein an upper side of the second piston 5 in the Figure 1 shown basic position a rests against the stop 21 and a bottom side of the second piston 5 in the position shown in Figure 2b shown operating position b rests on the floor of the prechamber 3 or is at least close to the floor.

[0044] As from Figure 1 As can be seen, the pre-chamber 3 has a larger cross-section and, in particular, a larger diameter than the release chamber 4. Accordingly, the second piston 5 also has a larger cross-section and, in particular, a larger diameter than the first piston 6.

[0045] The first piston 6 and the second piston 5 are each cylindrical or disc-shaped and connected to one another via a connecting line 18, wherein the connecting line 18 extends through both the first piston 6 and the second piston 5 and runs through the central opening in the bottom of the prechamber 3. The connecting line 18 thus establishes a fluid connection between the release chamber 4 and the prechamber 3. A nozzle 11 is preferably arranged in the connecting line 18.

[0046] In the prechamber 3, a spring element 7 is arranged, for example a spiral spring, which extends between the underside of the second piston 5 and the bottom of the prechamber 3.

[0047] The spring element 7 is arranged in particular around the connecting line 18, as can be seen from Figure 1visible. The bottom of the prechamber 3 forms a support 19 against which the spring element 7 is supported. The spring element 7 preloads the second piston 5 in the prechamber 3 in its (upper) basic position a. Accordingly, the first piston 6, connected to the second piston 5 via the connecting line 18, is also in an (upper) basic position a, in which the first piston 6 is pulled out of the release chamber 4.

[0048] The first piston 6 and the second piston 5 each have at least one circumferential sealing ring 17, 17' on their outer circumference, the sealing ring 17 of the first piston 6 being in contact with the inside of the wall of the release chamber 4 and the sealing ring 17' of the second piston 5 being in contact with the inside of the wall of the pre-chamber 3 when the second piston 5 is moved in the pre-chamber 3 from its (upper) basic position a into its (lower) operating position b and the first piston 6 is simultaneously moved into the release chamber 4.

[0049] The first piston 6 and the second piston 5 as well as the connecting line 18 and the spring element 7 form a piston unit which is preloaded in a basic position a by the spring element 7 and can be moved from the basic position a into an operating position b by introducing an external force.

[0050] An active substance inlet 12 is arranged in the region of the upper end of the dissolution chamber 4. The active substance inlet 12 comprises a lateral opening in the wall of the dissolution chamber 4 (not shown in the drawing here), through which an active substance 8, for example in tablet or spherical form, can be introduced into the dissolution chamber 4. In order to dose the active substance 8 in a predetermined amount into the dissolution chamber 4, the active substance inlet 12 is connected to a dispenser or a dosing device, which doses the active substance 8 through the active substance inlet 12 into the dissolution chamber 4. The active substance 8 is preferably in the form of tablets or spheres, which are dosed individually into the dissolution chamber 4 by means of the dispenser or the dosing device. In this case, several tablets or spheres of the active substance 8 can also be introduced into the dissolution chamber 4 via the active substance inlet 12, as in Figure 1indicated by the two active substance spheres 8, which are located at the lower, funnel-shaped end of the dissolving chamber 4. However, the active substance can also be present as a powder, granules or as a liquid.

[0051] In the area of ​​the upper end, a compressed gas line 2 opens into the prechamber 3. The compressed gas line 2 contains a check valve 9 and is connected upstream of the check valve 9 to a compressed gas source 16, which provides a compressed gas, for example, compressed air. Instead of compressed air, other food-compatible gases can also be provided under pressure by the compressed gas source 16. For this purpose, compressed nitrogen gas or compressed carbon dioxide, for example, can also be used instead of compressed air. The compressed gas source 16 can, for example, be formed by a compressor that draws in ambient air and compresses it to a predetermined pressure.

[0052] The drain line 13 connected to the lower end of the prechamber 4 is coupled to a beverage preparation machine 15 and, in particular, to a liquid line system of the beverage preparation machine 15 in order to direct an active substance solution produced in the device into the liquid line system of the beverage preparation machine 15. At least one valve is arranged in the drain line 13 to open and close the drain line 13. Preferably, the drain line 13 contains a control valve 14 having an adjustable flow cross-section.

[0053] The Figure 1The device shown is expediently arranged in a housing of the beverage preparation machine 15. The device is preferably inserted as an exchangeable module in the housing of the beverage preparation machine 15. The solvent supply 20 and the compressed gas source 16 are preferably components of the beverage preparation machine 15, which can be used, on the one hand, in the production of beverages in the beverage preparation machine, for example, to provide hot water or heated milk and to provide compressed gas, in particular compressed air, and, on the other hand, can supply the device with solvent via the solvent line 1 and with a compressed gas via the compressed gas line 2. The solvent supply 20 can in particular be formed by a boiler or a continuous-flow heater of the beverage preparation machine 15, which provides heated water.

[0054] To control the device, a control device is provided which, in particular, controls the valves 10 and 14 in the solvent line 1 and in the drain line 13 as well as the supply of a pressurized gas from the pressurized gas source 16 through the pressurized gas line 2 and the introduction of the active substance 8 through the active substance inlet 12 into the dissolving chamber 4. The control device can expediently be a component of the control device of the beverage preparation machine 15, which is configured such that after or at specific times or events, which depend in particular on the production of beverages in the beverage preparation machine 15 and can be selected, for example, by an operator via a communication interface, a process is initiated in the beverage preparation machine 15 for which the beverage preparation machine 15 requires an active substance solution produced in the device.

[0055] In Figure 2are individual phases of a cycle for producing a solution from the active substance and the solvent, which is carried out with the device of Figure 1 can be carried out, represented by different positions of the device, whereby the Figure 2 The phases shown in the cycle are carried out sequentially to produce an active substance solution in the device in a continuous operation or in a batch operation and to supply it to a beverage preparation machine.

[0056] In Figure 2a the device is shown in its basic position a, which corresponds to the representation of Figure 1To initiate a cycle for producing a solution from an active substance and a solvent, with the compressed gas source 16 or the compressed gas line 2 closed and the valves 10 and 14 closed, a predetermined amount of active substance 8, for example a certain number of active substance tablets or spheres, is first introduced into the dissolving chamber 4 through the active substance inlet 12. Thereafter, as in Figure 2bshown, the valve 10 in the solvent line 1 is opened. Furthermore, the control valve 14 in the discharge line 13 is at least partially opened and in particular set to a predetermined flow cross-section. As a result, preferably warm solvent, for example water with a temperature of 40 °C to 80 °C, and with a predetermined pressure of the solvent flow, which is preferably more than 3 bar and in particular between 3 bar and 10 bar, flows from the solvent line 1 into the upper area of ​​the prechamber 3. The pressure of the solvent flow can, if necessary, be set to a specific value by means of a pressure control valve or a pressure reducer in the solvent line 1. Due to the pressure of the solvent flow acting on the upper end face of the second piston 5, the second piston 5 in the prechamber 3 is moved from its Figure 2a shown basic position a into the Figure 2bshown operating position b, in which the second piston 5 is located in the pre-chamber 3 near the bottom. Since the second piston 5 is coupled to the first piston 6 via the connecting line 18, the first piston 6 also moves from its Figure 2a shown basic position a, in which the first piston 6 is pulled out of the release chamber 4, into the Figure 2b shown operating position b, in which the first piston 6 is located at a certain height within the release chamber 4. The first piston 6 is arranged above the balls of the active substance 8 located in the release chamber 4, as in Figure 2b shown. By the movement of the first piston 6 into its Figure 2b In the operating position b shown, the active substance access 12 and in particular the opening in the wall of the dissolving chamber 4 is closed, so that no active substance can reach an area below the first piston 6 in the dissolving chamber 4.

[0057] The solvent flowing into the pre-chamber 3 via the solvent line 1 flows through the nozzle 11 in the connecting line 18 into the dissolving chamber 4, which is fluidly connected to the pre-chamber 3 via the connecting line 18. Due to the larger cross-section of the first piston 6 compared to the cross-section of the second piston 5, the counterforce exerted on the first piston 6 by the solvent introduced into the dissolving chamber 4 is smaller than the force exerted on the second piston 5 by the pressure of the solvent flow, whereby the first piston 6 and the second piston 5 are each held in their operating position b as long as the pressurized solvent is introduced via the solvent line 1. The nozzle 11 ensures a sufficiently high pressure upstream of the nozzle 11 to hold the piston unit in its operating position b.

[0058] As solvent flows into the dissolving chamber 4 in the area below the first piston 6, the spheres of active substance 8 located in the dissolving chamber 4 are dissolved in the solvent to form an active substance solution. The concentration of active substance 8 in the active substance solution is determined by the amount of active substance in the dissolving chamber 4 and the volume flow of the solvent flowing through it, which depends on the set flow cross-section in the drain line 13.

[0059] The closed active substance access 12 ensures that no further active substance can be added to the dissolving chamber 4 during the dissolution of the active substance 8 to the active substance solution.

[0060] Thus, with a given flow cross-section in the drain line 13 and a certain amount of the active substance 8 in the dissolving chamber 4, a certain active substance concentration is established in the active substance solution, which continuously flows into the drain line 13 and is thereby conveyed to the beverage preparation machine 15, in particular into the liquid line system of the beverage preparation machine 15.

[0061] The temperature and pressure of the solvent stream introduced into the dissolving chamber 4 ensure complete dissolution and homogeneous mixing of the active substance 8 in the active substance solution. After transferring a sufficient amount of the active substance solution for the process to be carried out in the beverage preparation machine, the valve 10 of the solvent line 1 is closed, thereby stopping the solvent supply. Thereafter, as in Figure 2cshown - a compressed gas, in particular compressed air, is introduced via the compressed gas line 2 into the upper region of the prechamber 3, wherein the pressure of the compressed gas is preferably more than 1 bar and in particular between 1.5 bar and 3 bar. Due to the pressure of the introduced compressed gas, which flows from the prechamber 3 via the connecting line 18 into the dissolving chamber 4, any residual amount of the active substance solution still present in the dissolving chamber 4 is pressed into the drain line 13.

[0062] Instead of the continuous operation described above, the device can also be operated in batch mode, in which a specific dose of an active substance solution with a specific concentration of the active substance is first generated in the dissolving chamber and then fed to the beverage preparation machine 15 via the drain line 13. In this batch mode, the volume of a dose of the active substance solution generated is determined by the position of the first piston 6 in the first clamp 4 in its operating position b, because this position determines the volume of the dissolving chamber 4 below the first piston 6, in which the active substance 8 is located. The position of the first piston 6 in the dissolving chamber 4 in its operating position can be adjusted with the drain line 13 closed by the pressure of the solvent flow introduced via the solvent line 1.Thus, the volume of the dose of the active substance solution in the dissolving chamber 4 can be varied by the pressure of the solvent flow. When the active substance 8 is dissolved or mixed in the solvent, a specific concentration of the active substance 8 results in the resulting active substance solution, which is determined by the predetermined amount of the active substance 8 in the dissolving chamber 4 and the volume of the dissolving chamber 4 below the first piston 6.

[0063] After dissolving and mixing the active substance 8 in the dose of solvent located in the dissolving chamber 4, the generated dose of the active substance solution is fed to the beverage preparation machine 15 via the drain line 13. The drain line 13, in particular the valve 14, is opened with the valve 10 in the solvent line 1 closed, and a pressurized gas is introduced into the dissolving chamber 4 via the pressurized gas line 2. The dose of the active substance solution has a specific concentration of the active substance in the solution, whereby the concentration can be adjusted by the amount of active substance 8 supplied to the dissolving chamber 4 and the pressure of the solvent flow during the preparation of the active substance solution. A control valve 14 arranged in the drain line 13 advantageously enables the setting of a specific volume flow of the active substance solution from the dissolving chamber 4 into the drain line 13 when draining the active substance solution.

[0064] After transferring the active substance solution from the dissolving chamber 4 into the liquid line system of the beverage preparation machine 15 in continuous operation or in batch operation of the device, the cycle is terminated and the device is returned to its home position a by stopping the supply of compressed gas via the compressed gas line 2 with the valve 10 closed (by switching off the compressed gas source 16 or by closing the compressed gas line 2 with a valve). As a result, the piston unit, which comprises the first piston 6, the second piston 5 and the connecting line 18, moves back to its home position a, which in Figure 2dis shown. In this case, the piston unit is automatically brought into the basic position a due to the restoring force of the spring element 7, in which the second piston 5 rests against the stop 21 of the pre-chamber 3 and the first piston 6 is pulled out of the release chamber 4 at least so far that the first piston 6 is located above the active substance access 12 and in particular above the opening in the wall of the release chamber 4, as in Figure 2d shown. In this basic position a of the device, the dissolving chamber 4 is again available to hold a predetermined amount of the active substance 8 and in particular to hold a certain number of balls or tablets of the active substance 8 and the device can be used for a subsequent cycle.

[0065] In Fig. 3 A second embodiment of a device according to the invention is shown in the basic position. This embodiment corresponds to the device of Fig. 1except for the arrangement of the pressure gas line 2, which in the embodiment of the Fig. 3 not into the pre-chamber 3 but into the solvent line 1. In the solvent line 1, a further check valve 9' is arranged to prevent compressed gas from flowing from the compressed gas line 2 towards the solvent supply 20. In this embodiment, the compressed gas from the compressed gas source 16 is fed via the compressed gas line 2 into the solvent line 1 in order to press the active substance solution located in the dissolving chamber 4 into the drain line 13 when the valve 10 in the solvent line 1 is open, after the active substance has been completely dissolved or mixed in the active substance solution. The embodiment of Fig. 3 is distinguished from the design of the Fig. 1 by a simpler structure of the prechamber 3.

[0066] The device according to the invention enables rapid and complete dissolution and homogeneous mixing of the active substance in the solvent, in particular due to the pressure and temperature of the solvent supplied via the solvent line 1. Furthermore, precise dosing of a predeterminable amount of the active substance 8 and maintenance of a specific concentration of the active substance in the active substance solution are ensured, wherein the precise active substance concentration can be controlled in particular via the pressure of the solvent stream supplied through the solvent line 1. The device has a simple and compact design and requires no motor control to transfer the device from its basic position a to its operating position b and back. Features and advantages of the invention described with reference to the device also relate to the method, and vice versa.

Claims

1. Apparatus for preparing a solution of an active substance and a solvent and for supplying the solution to a beverage preparation machine (15), in particular to a coffee machine, comprising a dissolving chamber (4) for receiving the active substance (8), a supply device (12) for supplying a specific quantity of the active substance (8) into the dissolving chamber (4) and a liquid line system (1, 13) coupled to the dissolving chamber (4) and having a solvent line (1) which can be connected to a solvent supply (20) for supplying the solvent, and a discharge line (13) connected to the dissolving chamber (4), which can be connected to the beverage preparation machine (15), characterised by a piston unit (5, 6, 18) which has a first piston (6) which can be introduced into the dissolving chamber (4), a second piston (5) arranged movably in a front chamber (3) and a connecting line (18) arranged between the first piston (6) and the second piston (5), wherein the connecting line (18) connects the first piston (6) and the second piston (5) so that a movement of the second piston (5) is transmitted to the first piston (6).

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that the first piston (6) is movable between a base position (a), in which the first piston (6) is pulled out of the dissolving chamber (4), and an operating position (b), in which the first piston (6) is located in the dissolving chamber (4).

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that the front chamber (3) is arranged upstream of the dissolving chamber (4) and is connected to the dissolving chamber (4) in a fluid-conducting manner via the connecting line (18).

4. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the piston unit (5, 6, 18) comprises a spring element (7) arranged between the first piston (6) and the second piston (5 ) and in particular around the connecting line (18), the spring element (7) exerting a preload on the first piston (6) in an unloaded state, which preload holds the first piston (6) in a base position (a) in which the first piston (6) is pulled out of the dissolving chamber (4).

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, characterised in that the first piston (6) can be moved from a base position (a) into an operating position (b), in which the first piston (6) is located in the dissolving chamber (4), when solvent is supplied through the solvent line (1) against a preload generated by the spring element (7).

6. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the front chamber (3) has a larger cross-section and in particular a larger diameter than the dissolving chamber (4) and / or in that the second piston (5) has a larger cross-section and in particular a larger diameter than the first piston (6).

7. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the supply device (12) is arranged in an upper region or at an upper end of the dissolving chamber (4) and in particular has an opening in a wall of the dissolving chamber (4), the first piston (6) being located in an operating position (b) in the dissolving chamber (4) to such an extent that access from the opening into the dissolving chamber (4) is blocked.

8. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the supply device (12) comprises a dosing device which doses the active substance into the dissolving chamber (4).

9. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the front chamber (3) is connected to a compressed gas line (2), wherein the compressed gas line (2) can be coupled to a compressed gas source (16) and preferably opens into the front chamber (3) or into the solvent line (1) in an upper section or at an upper side.

10. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a shut-off valve (10) and / or a control valve, in particular a pressure control valve, and / or a pressure reducer is arranged in the solvent line (1), and / or that a shut-off valve and / or a control valve (14) is arranged in the discharge line (13).

11. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a nozzle (11) is arranged in the connecting line (18).

12. Beverage preparation machine (15), in particular coffee machine or machine for preparing a powdered beverage, with an apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the apparatus is coupled in particular with a brewing device for brewing a hot beverage and / or with a device for frothing milk.

13. Method for producing and supplying an active substance solution to a beverage preparation machine (15), in particular a beverage preparation machine according to claim 12, wherein a solution of an active substance and a solvent is first produced in a dissolving chamber (4) by metering a specific quantity of an active substance (8) into the dissolving chamber (4) and then feeding a solvent into the dissolving chamber (4) via a solvent line (1) which can be connected to a solvent supply (20), whereby the active substance (8) is dissolved in the solvent to form an active substance solution, and the active substance solution is then fed to the beverage preparation machine (15) via a discharge line (13) connected to the dissolving chamber (4), characterised in that, after the active substance has been metered into the dissolving chamber (4), a first piston (6) is introduced into the dissolving chamber (4) and pressed into the dissolving chamber (4) by a pressure generated by the solvent introduced.

14. Method according to claim 13, characterised in that the solvent is introduced into the dissolving chamber (4) by means of a connecting line (18) running through the first piston (6), the first piston (6) being coupled via the connecting line (18) to a second piston (5) arranged movably in a front chamber (3).

15. Method according to claim 14, characterised in that the dissolving chamber (4) is coupled to the front chamber (3) in a fluid-conducting manner via the connecting line (18) and the solvent line (1) is connected to the front chamber (3), the second piston (5) being pressed into the front chamber (3) by a pressure generated by the solvent introduced when solvent is supplied through the solvent line (1).