Method and device for a continuous flow cooling of beverages, and coffee machine

Abstract

In a method for a continuous flow cooling of beverages preferably in a coffee machine, a device (10) with a cold-generating element and a heat exchanger (35) which is operatively connected thereto are provided. A continuous flow cooling of the respective beverage is carried out by the heat exchanger (35). A thermal storage device (20) with a cold-absorbing storage medium (21) is integrated into the device (10), wherein the storage medium (21) is guided from the storage device to the cold-generating element (15) and back into the storage device (20) for cooling purposes, and the storage medium (21) is guided to the heat exchanger (35) and back into the storage device (20) for cold-dispensing purposes. In the process, the beverage is conveyed from a source (30) through the heat exchanger (35) and, in a cooled state, to a processing unit or to an outlet (38). By virtue of the method, beverages of each individual portion can be cooled in a simple, very rapid, and efficient manner, and energy can thus be saved.

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