Device for producing and dispensing mixed beverages, having a touch screen in a cover part of a housing on a stand system

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for producing and dispensing beverages on the basis of concentrates, comprising a housing in which a metering module (5) is arranged, the metering module being connected to at least two concentrate containers and to a water feed, wherein a computer module is arranged, which is connected to a touch screen (4) for beverage display and beverage selection and is designed to control the metering module (5) or solenoid valves upstream of the metering module (5), and wherein a stand system is arranged, which comprises at least one column and to which the touch screen (4) is fastened and which has a beverage dispensing line. The housing is part of the stand system and is detachably closed by means of a cover part (2), the cover part (2) comprising the touch screen (4).

Description

[0001] Lawyer's file 25185

[0002] September 5, 2025

[0003] Device for the production and dispensing of beverages

[0004] The invention relates to a device for the production and dispensing of beverages based on concentrates according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0005] Devices for the production and dispensing of beverages based on concentrates are known in various designs. Such devices are used particularly in fitness studios as self-service machines for the preparation of customized soft drinks. The beverages are prepared using a mixing device with a water inlet and connected to at least two concentrate containers. A desired beverage can be selected by pressing a specific button or by making a selection on a touchscreen. A counter cabinet, which also houses the mixing unit, is typically used to position the concentrate containers.

[0006] A new generation of beverage vending machines for gyms has recently entered the market, marketed by the company Trugge under the names "IQ1" and "IQ2". These machines feature a housing containing a touchscreen, which is attached to a column on either side. The touchscreen is connected via electrical cables running through one of the columns to a computer located in a counter cabinet on which the vending machine sits. A beverage supply line runs through the other column and connects to a spout exiting the housing from the center.The supply line is connected to a mixing unit housed in the counter cabinet. This unit is connected to the concentrate containers on one side and a water supply on the other. It is also connected to the computer, which controls the mixing unit according to the operator's selection via the touchscreen. The existing beverage dispensers have proven successful in practice. In particular, the simple and intuitive operation via the generously sized touchscreen, as well as the airy design of the touchscreen positioned between the two columns (the beverage outlet is located on the underside of the housing), have proven to be extremely user-friendly. However, depending on the design of the counter cabinet, the arrangement of the individual system components can be somewhat difficult to access, thus complicating maintenance.

[0007] This is where the present invention comes in. The invention is based on the objective of providing a device for the production and dispensing of beverages based on concentrates, in which maintenance is simplified regardless of the counter cabinet used. According to the invention, this objective is achieved by a device with the features of claim 1.

[0008] The invention provides a device for the production and dispensing of beverages based on concentrates, simplifying maintenance regardless of the countertop cabinet used. Because the housing is part of the stand system and is releasably closed by a lid, which incorporates the touchscreen, access to components located within the housing is improved by simply removing the lid.

[0009] In a further development of the invention, the touchscreen is connected to the computer module and / or a power source via a detachably attached cable. This allows for easy removal of the cover containing the touchscreen, thus further improving accessibility. Alternatively, a correspondingly longer cable can be provided, which, to reduce the required storage space within the housing, can also be designed as a coiled cable.

[0010] In this embodiment of the invention, the stand system is formed by exactly one support column, which includes a housing-forming section in which the dosing system is arranged and which has at least one beverage dispensing line. This reduces the number of components and achieves a compact design.

[0011] In a further embodiment of the invention, the stand is hollow, with conduits running through it that are connected to the concentrate containers and / or the water supply. This provides a central conduit channel that is easily accessible from the operating side after removing the removable cover section containing the touchscreen.

[0012] In a further development of the invention, the support column has a rear wall that is detachably connected to it. This allows additional access to the components arranged in the housing as well as to the cables running through the support column. Preferably, the rear wall is arranged opposite the cover part.

[0013] In this embodiment of the invention, the housing is elongated in the direction of the support column, i.e., in the vertical direction, and preferably has a substantially rectangular or oval cross-section. This further improves the compact design as well as good accessibility to the components located in the housing section.

[0014] In a further embodiment of the invention, the cover part has a flange on its rear side facing away from the touchscreen, by means of which the cover part is attached to the housing. This facilitates the mounting of the cover part to the housing section.

[0015] In a further development of the invention, the flange comprises a collar that circumferentially surrounds at least part of the housing. The inner surface of this collar corresponds to the outer surface of the housing abutting the cover part, onto which it is at least partially slid, or the outer surface of this collar corresponds to the inner surface of the housing abutting the cover part, into which it is at least partially inserted. This achieves a stable attachment of the cover part to the housing section, while simultaneously further simplifying assembly. Advantageously, the collar has bores for the passage of a fastening screw, allowing it to be detachably connected to the housing. Preferably, a sealing layer is arranged circumferentially between the collar and the housing.

[0016] In one embodiment of the invention, the computer module is arranged within the housing. This achieves a compact integration of the computer module. Alternatively, the computer module can also be arranged in the cover section which contains the touchscreen. This allows for an even more compact housing design. Furthermore, it enables a protected connection between the touchscreen and the computer module, which is not affected when the cover section is removed from the housing.

[0017] In a further embodiment of the invention, the dosing module arranged in the housing comprises a mixing nozzle connected to the water inlet and to which the beverage dispensing line is attached. This results in a compact dosing unit within the housing. Preferably, the mixing nozzle is designed as a Venturi injector nozzle. This allows the concentrate to be drawn in by a vacuum created in the mixing nozzle by a water flow, thereby mixing the concentrate with water in a predetermined ratio. Advantageously, the mixing nozzle has an adjustable mixing ratio.

[0018] In a further development of the invention, the dosing module is connected to a solenoid valve block, which is connected to the at least two concentrate containers and can be controlled via the computer module. Advantageously, the solenoid valve block is arranged in the housing.

[0019] Preferably, the output of the solenoid valve block is directly coupled to the intake port of the mixing nozzle. This allows for convenient cleaning and maintenance of the dosing system within the housing, which is easily accessible after removing the cover and / or any removable back panel. The solenoid valve block is preferably connected to the at least two concentrate containers via lines running through the column.

[0020] Alternatively, the solenoid valve block can also be located outside the housing, for example, in the column or externally in a counter cabinet, and connected to the mixing nozzle via a line running through the column. This reduces the number of lines required to run through the column. Besides a concentrate line connected to the output of the solenoid valve block, only a power supply line for the touchscreen and, if applicable, the computer module, as well as a control line for connecting the solenoid valve block to the computer module if the computer module is located in the housing or the cover, are required. Alternatively, a wireless connection, such as a Bluetooth connection, can be used instead of a control line.

[0021] In one embodiment of the invention, the housing has a rear wall on its back side opposite the lid, which is detachably connected to the housing. This allows access to the housing from both the front and the back. Preferably, the stand has a flange at its end facing away from the touchscreen for attaching the stand to a countertop.

[0022] In a further embodiment of the invention, the support column has a drain connection on its side at the end facing away from the touchscreen. This drain connection is detachably connected to a drip tray that at least partially surrounds the support cables. This allows beverage residue collected in the drip tray to drain away via the support column. Providing additional openings in the counter surface of the counter cabinet on which the column is mounted is not necessary.

[0023] Other further developments and embodiments of the invention are specified in the remaining dependent claims. An exemplary embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawings and is described in detail below. Figure 1 shows a schematic three-dimensional representation of a device for the production and dispensing of beverages.

[0024] Figure 2: the device from Figure 1 in a further spatial representation;

[0025] Figure 3: the schematic representation of the part from Figure 1 with the lid section removed.

[0026] Figure 4: the schematic representation of the mounting of the dosing module of the housing of the device from Figure 1;

[0027] Figure 5: the support column of the device from Figure 1 in exploded view;

[0028] Figure 6: Schematic representation of the solenoid valve block of the device from Figure 1

[0029] a) in a first spatial representation;

[0030] b) in a second spatial representation;

[0031] Figure 7: Schematic representation of the dosing module of the device from Figure 1

[0032] a) in a spatial representation;

[0033] b) in side view;

[0034] c) in the front view.

[0035] Figure 8 shows a detailed view of the drain connection of the device from Figure 1.

[0036] a) at the base of the column;

[0037] b) at the drip tray.

[0038] The device chosen as an embodiment for the production and dispensing of beverages comprises a support column 1 with a column section 11, which is connected via an angled part 12 to a housing section 14, to which a cover part 2 is attached, in which a touch screen 3 is attached.

[0039] In the exemplary embodiment, the column part 11 comprises a U-profile 111 manufactured as a stainless steel stamped and bent sheet metal part, the edges of which are each angled inwards, thereby forming fastening tabs 112.

[0040] The fastening tabs 112 arranged on the two longitudinal sides of the open rear side of the U-profile 111 are connected to each other via a centrally arranged cross plate 113. A back plate 113 is also attached to these fastening tabs 112, closing the open rear side of the U-profile 111. A rectangular recess 114 is provided in the front cover face of the U-profile 111 opposite the back plate 113.

[0041] The angle bracket 12 comprises a cover plate 121 and a right-angled frame plate 122, which has two laterally projecting mounting wings 123 opposite each other. These wings are connected to the mounting tabs 112 arranged on the longitudinal sides of the open rear face of the U-profile 111. Furthermore, the frame plate 122 is connected to the cover plate 121 via two opposing mounting brackets 124. The angle bracket 12 is placed on the end face of the column section 11 and encompasses it with two tabs 125 arranged laterally on the cover plate 121. These tabs abut the two opposite longitudinal sides of the U-profile 111 and are screwed to them. A rectangular recess 126 is provided in the center of the cover plate 121.A retaining plate 127 with a circular recess 128 is arranged below the rectangular recess 126 and is attached to the cover plate 121 on both sides of the rectangular recess 126 via fastening tabs 129.

[0042] Two lateral retaining plates 13 are arranged opposite each other on the angle bracket 12, extending parallel to the tabs 125 of the cover plate 121. In the exemplary embodiment, the retaining plates 13 are identical and each has an outwardly angled retaining tab 131. On their side opposite the retaining tab 131, three retaining arms 132 are arranged on each retaining plate 13, which have fastening tabs 133 at their ends, by which they are connected to the angle bracket 12 and to a fastening tab 112 arranged on a longitudinal side of the open rear side of the U-profile 111.

[0043] The housing section 14 is designed as a hollow profile with a largely oval cross-section, the two opposite longitudinal sides of which are straight. On each of the straight longitudinal sides of the housing section 14, two retaining tabs 141, angled inwards at right angles, are arranged opposite each other on its two end faces. The housing section 14 is slid onto the two opposite retaining plates 13 and connected to the frame plate 122 by its retaining tabs 141 facing the frame plate 122. The retaining tabs 131 of the two retaining plates 13 each abut a retaining tab 141 of the housing section 14, to which they are connected. On its underside facing the column part 1, a circular passage 142 with a larger inner diameter than that of the circular recess 128 is provided in the housing section 14, concentric to the circular recess 128 of the retaining plate 127.A rectangular perforated mounting plate 15 is attached to the retaining tabs 141 of the end face of the housing section 14 opposite the column part 11, which has two fixing tabs 151 on each of its two transverse sides, spaced apart from each other and angled outwards at right angles.

[0044] In the exemplary embodiment, the cover part 2 is designed in the form of a substantially cuboid cover housing 21, which has a flange part 22 on its rear side facing the housing section 14. The flange part 22 is designed in the form of a circumferential collar, the inner surface of which substantially corresponds to the outer surface of the housing section 14. The side opposite the flange part 22 is formed by a touchscreen 4 integrated into the cover housing 21, which is connected to a computer module (not shown) arranged in the cover housing 21. In the exemplary embodiment, the computer module is integrated on the control board of the touchscreen 4.For power supply and control of the dosing module and the solenoid valve block 6, the computer module is connected to a power and data cable 41, which is guided through an opening 23 of the cover housing 21 located inside the flange part 22 and is provided at its end with a coupling plug 42.

[0045] In the housing section 14 of the support column 1, a metering module 5 is inserted into the rectangular recess 126 of the cover plate 121 of the angled piece 12. The metering module 5 is essentially cuboid in shape and comprises a mixing nozzle, which in this embodiment is designed as a Venturi injector nozzle. A first connection sleeve 51 for connecting a water supply line is arranged on one end face. Opposite the first connection sleeve 51, a connection piece 52 is arranged on the other end face, onto which a pipe section 53 is placed, which passes through the circular recess 128 of the retaining plate 127. A second connection sleeve 54 (suction port) for connecting a concentrate supply line, which is connected to the outlet of the solenoid valve block 6, is arranged on one longitudinal side of the metering module.Between the connecting piece 52 and the second connecting sleeve 54, a solenoid valve 55 is arranged in the dosing module 5, via which the flow can be shut off.

[0046] In the exemplary embodiment, the solenoid valve block 6 comprises six inlet ports 61 for concentrate lines, each connected to a solenoid valve 62. On its side opposite the inlet ports 61, an outlet port 63 is arranged for connecting the concentrate inlet line, which is connected to the second connection sleeve 54 of the dosing module 5. Furthermore, a flushing inlet port 64 is provided for connecting a flushing line for cleaning purposes.

[0047] In the exemplary embodiment, the solenoid valve block 6 is arranged in the housing section 14 and connected via concentrate lines (not shown) to six concentrate containers (not shown), which are connected to the inlet ports 61 and routed through the column section 11. The electrical terminals 621 of the solenoid valves 62 are connected to data lines of a power and data cable 65, which also includes a power supply line and is provided at its end with a coupling socket 66.

[0048] The cover part 2, with its flange part 22, is slid onto the housing section 14 and connected to it by screws 24. The fixing tabs 151 of the mounting plate 15 engage in a retaining groove 25 provided for this purpose on the flange part. The coupling plug 42 of the power and data cable 41 of the cover part 2 is connected to the coupling socket 66 of the power and data cable 65 connected to the solenoid valve block 6. On its end face opposite the cover part 2, the housing section 14 is closed by a rear panel 3, which is screwed to the retaining tabs 141 arranged on this end face. In the exemplary embodiment, the solenoid valve block 6 is attached to the rear panel 3.

[0049] At the base end of the support column 1, a drip tray 7 is arranged, which has a circumferential rib 71 into which a drip grid 72 is inserted. The drip tray 7 has a rectangular cutout 73, the inner surface of which corresponds approximately to the outer surface of the base end of the support column 1, to which the drip tray 7 with its cutout 73 is attached. In the center of the cutout 73, a circular outlet 74 is provided in the rib 71, into which the first end of an angled pipe section 115 is inserted, projecting from the support column 1. Inside the support column 1, the other end of the angled pipe section 115 is connected to a drain pipe (not shown). The angled pipe section 115 in the support column 1 is positioned such that its first end is moved into the outlet 74 of the drip tray 7 when it is attached.

[0050] The computer module is equipped with operating software that displays a user interface on the touchscreen, allowing the operator to select a desired beverage. A concentrate or combination of concentrates is stored in the computer module for each selectable beverage. When an operator selects a beverage on the touchscreen, the solenoid valves 62 of the solenoid valve block 6, which are associated with the concentrates assigned to that beverage, as well as another solenoid valve 55 located in the dosing unit, are activated. The opening time of the solenoid valves for various thread sizes selectable by the operator (e.g., 200 ml or 400 ml) is stored in the computer module.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Device for the production and dispensing of beverages based on concentrates, comprising a housing in which a dosing module (5) is arranged, which is connected to at least two concentrate containers and to a water inlet, wherein a computer module is arranged which is connected to a touchscreen (4) for displaying and selecting beverages and which is configured to control the dosing module (5) or solenoid valves upstream of the dosing module (5), wherein a stand system comprising at least one column is arranged, to which the touchscreen (4) is attached and which has a beverage dispensing line, characterized in that the housing is part of the stand system and is detachably closed by a cover part (2), wherein the cover part (2) has the touchscreen (4).

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the touch screen (4) is connected to the computer module and / or a power source via a detachably attached cable (41, 65).

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the stand system is formed by exactly one support column (1) which comprises a housing-forming section (14) in which the dosing module (5) is arranged and which has at least one beverage dispensing line.

4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the support column (1) is hollow, wherein lines are guided through the support column (1) which are connected to the concentrate containers or the water inlet, wherein the support column (1) preferably has a rear wall (113) detachably connected to it.

5. Device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the housing (14) is elongated in the direction of the support column (1) and preferably has a substantially rectangular or oval cross-section.

6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover part (2) has a flange part (22) on its rear side facing away from the touch screen (4), via which the cover part (2) is attached to the housing (14).

7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the flange part (22) comprises a collar that circumferentially extends at least partially, the inner surface of which corresponds to the outer surface of the housing (14) abutting the cover part (2) onto which it is pushed at least partially, or the outer surface of which corresponds to the inner surface of the housing (14) abutting the cover part (2) into which it is inserted at least partially.

8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the collar has bores for the passage of a fastening screw, via which the collar can be detachably connected to the housing (14), wherein preferably a sealing layer is arranged between the collar and the housing (14).

9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the computer unit is arranged inside the housing.

10. Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the computer module is arranged inside the cover part (2), which is connected to a power supply via a detachably attached cable (41 , 65).

11. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dosing module (5) arranged in the housing (14) comprises a mixing nozzle which is connected to the water inlet and on which the beverage dispensing line is arranged.

12. Device according to claim 11, characterized in that the dosing module (5) is connected to a solenoid valve block (6) which is connected to the at least two concentrate containers.

13. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (14) has a rear wall (3) on its rear side opposite the cover part (2), which is detachably connected to the housing (14).

14. Device according to one of claims 3 to 12, characterized in that the support column (1) has a flange part at its end facing away from the touch screen (4) for fastening the support column (1) to a counter top.

15. Device according to one of claims 3 to 13, characterized in that the support column (1) has a drain connection at its end facing away from the touch screen (4) which is detachably connected to a drip tray (7) arranged which surrounds the support cables at least partially.

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