Beverage preparation machine, in particular coffee and / or tea machine

Abstract

The invention relates to a beverage preparation machine, in particular a coffee and / or tea machine (1), which is intended to dispense hot beverages in various volumes and into various receptacles (2), wherein the beverage preparation machine (1) comprises at least the following: a beverage outlet (8), wherein the beverage outlet (8) has at least one outlet line (9), and a bracket (12), wherein the bracket (12) has a support element (13) onto which a receptacle (2) can be placed, characterised in that two or more weighing elements (14a, b, c) are associated with the support element (13).

Description

[0001] Beverage preparation machine, in particular coffee and / or tea machine

[0002] The invention relates to a beverage preparation machine, in particular a coffee and / or tea machine, according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a method for operating the beverage preparation machine, in particular a coffee and / or tea machine according to claim 15.

[0003] For beverage preparation machines, further optimization and simplification of monitoring and, preferably, control and regulation options is desirable, as these arise from the question of correctly positioning the beverage receptacle. High-performance beverage preparation machines for professional use often have multiple outlets. For example, steam wands or a separate hot water dispenser are located to the side of a central outlet. This could lead to the user placing the receptacle under the wrong outlet. Furthermore, the central outlet of beverage preparation machines often has several outlets arranged side by side, requiring the cup to be positioned as centrally as possible to ensure that all components of the prepared beverage are dispensed into the receptacle.

[0004] DE 10 2004 050 365 A1 describes a beverage preparation machine having a measuring device with which at least one characteristic value—for example, the weight of the collecting vessel and / or the fill level in the collecting vessel—can be detected. The control device of the beverage preparation machine takes this characteristic value into account when controlling the beverage preparation. The support surface for the collecting vessel can serve as the measuring device; this can be designed as a scale for this purpose. A fill level sensor, in particular an ultrasonic sensor, can also be provided, which serves to measure the fill level in a collecting vessel placed underneath.

[0005] US 4 745 852 A discloses a coffee machine having a weighing element arranged beneath a pot rest and designed to stop the filling of a pot when the pot is filled with coffee.

[0006] Against this background, the invention has the task of optimizing the weight and, if necessary, the position detection of receptacles below a beverage outlet in a simple manner.

[0007] The invention solves this problem through the subject matter of claim 1. The invention accordingly provides a beverage preparation machine which is intended to dispense hot beverages in different volumes and into different receptacles, wherein the beverage preparation machine has at least the following: a beverage outlet, wherein the beverage outlet has at least one outlet line, and a console which has a storage element on which a receptacle can be placed, in particular in a region below the beverage outlet, wherein at least two, in particular three, or more weighing elements are assigned to the storage element.

[0008] The weighing elements are connected to a control device of the beverage preparation machine, on which an evaluation program - hereinafter also referred to as the evaluation device - runs during operation of the beverage preparation machine, which records and processes the measured values ​​of the weighing elements, whereby the weight and / or the position of the receiving vessel can be and are determined.

[0009] The two or three or more weighing elements provide a number of advantages.

[0010] With the help of the weighing elements and the evaluation device, which can be part of the control system of the beverage preparation machine, it is possible to determine whether a receptacle is positioned on the storage element and, if applicable, also the weight of this receptacle. Optionally or alternatively, it is also possible to determine the position of the receptacle on the storage element.

[0011] By knowing the position of the weighing elements on the storage element and thus their spacing and arrangement relative to one another, the center of gravity of a container placed on the storage element—such as a cup, glass, or jug—can be determined in two or more directions with the help of the appropriately programmed evaluation unit of the control system. In this way, the position of the container relative to the beverage outlet can be determined at least to the extent that the risk of incorrect filling is reduced.

[0012] In this way, the position of the receiving vessel under the correct outlet line of the beverage dispenser can be identified and, if applicable, also the position below an optional steam lance or under a hot water outlet arranged to the side of the beverage dispenser.

[0013] When commissioning a beverage preparation machine, it's often necessary to determine flow rates or volume flows. With a suitable evaluation unit design, the information from the weighing elements can also be used for this purpose. This saves service technicians time, as they don't have to manually enter the measured value.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the support element is supported on the weighing elements. This results in a structurally simple arrangement of the weighing elements relative to the support element.

[0015] According to another particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the respective weighing element can be designed as a load cell. This results in a compact and robust weighing element.

[0016] Alternatively, according to another preferred embodiment, the respective weighing element can be designed as a strain gauge or a piezo element. This results in a flexible installation location combined with a small installation space for the respective weighing element.

[0017] Furthermore, in this context, according to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the respective weighing element is integrated into the beverage preparation machine in such a way that it is not visible from the outside.

[0018] Furthermore, according to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the storage element is a drip tray. This creates a storage element that is inexpensive to manufacture, robust, and easy to clean.

[0019] According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the beverage outlet has more than one outlet line. This allows, for example, different components of a coffee-milk mixed beverage to be dispensed simultaneously, which advantageously shortens the dispensing time of such a beverage.

[0020] According to another particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the beverage outlet can be height-adjustable. This allows containers of different heights to be placed under the beverage outlet.

[0021] According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the beverage preparation machine can be provided with a steam wand. This allows for the preparation of larger quantities of milk foam outside the beverage preparation machine in a simple design. Furthermore, according to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the beverage preparation machine can be provided with a separate hot water outlet. This allows hot beverages other than coffee, such as tea, to be prepared with the beverage preparation machine.

[0022] Furthermore, according to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the console has a trough-like recess. This allows overflowing beverages to collect, preventing the storage element from becoming dirty. The beverage preparation machine, in particular a coffee and / or tea maker, does not necessarily need to be connected to the sewage system because of the trough-like recess, which can accommodate a certain volume. Furthermore, such a recess is easy to clean.

[0023] The object is also achieved by the method according to claim 15. Accordingly, a method for operating a beverage preparation machine according to one of the aforementioned claims is created, which is characterized by the following method steps:

[0024] - Provision of the beverage preparation machine and one or more receiving vessels;

[0025] - Placing a receptacle on the storage element;

[0026] - Determining the actual position of the receiving vessel on the support element and / or the actual weight of the receiving vessel from one or more measured values ​​of the weighing elements by an evaluation device of a control device with which the weighing elements are connected.

[0027] It is also conceivable that the preparation of the desired hot beverage or the desired function of the beverage preparation machine is only started if the determined actual position and the determined actual empty weight of the receiving vessel correspond to the target position and the target empty weight of the receiving vessel on the storage element.

[0028] Optionally, the determined actual position and the determined actual empty weight of the receptacle can be compared with the target position and the target empty weight of the receptacle on the storage element with the selected hot beverage and / or the selected function of the beverage preparation machine.

[0029] Further advantageous embodiments of the invention can be found in the dependent claims. The invention is described in more detail below with reference to the drawings. They show:

[0030] Figure 1 : a front view of a beverage preparation machine;

[0031] Figure 2: a schematic representation of the beverage preparation machine from

[0032] Fig. 1 ;

[0033] Figure 3: in a) a plan view of a storage element of the beverage preparation machine from Fig. 1, in b) a front view of the storage element Fig. 3a.

[0034] The terms used below, such as “top”, “bottom”, “right”, “left”, “horizontal”, “vertical” or “perpendicular”, refer to the representation in the respective figure.

[0035] Fig. 1 shows a beverage preparation machine 1. The term "beverage preparation machine" in this document refers to a machine for preparing hot beverages, in particular coffee or coffee-milk mixed beverages, but also tea, which preferably—but not necessarily—automatically prepares a desired hot beverage and also automatically dispenses it into a receptacle 2 (see Fig. 2). Cups, mugs, glasses, or jugs, for example, can be provided as the receptacle 2 for the prepared hot beverage.

[0036] The beverage preparation machine, in particular a coffee and / or tea machine 1, has two containers 3, 4 for different coffee beans. Beneath each container 3, 4 is a grinder designed to grind the coffee beans from the respective container 3, 4 into ground coffee. Typically, a grinding process is started for each hot beverage portion to be prepared. The grinders are not shown here, as they are located within a housing 5 of the beverage preparation machine, in particular a coffee and / or tea machine 1.

[0037] The beverage preparation machine 1 further comprises at least one brewing unit. In the brewing unit, which is preferably designed as a piston brewing unit, hot water is forced under pressure through the ground coffee. A brewing unit is not shown here, as it is also located within the housing 5 of the beverage preparation machine 1. The brewing unit is connected to a hot water generation unit, which supplies the brewing unit with hot water. A steam generation unit can be assigned to the hot water generation unit. The steam generation unit is connected here to a steam lance 6, which extends downwards from the housing 5 and is intended to generate or dispense milk foam even outside the beverage preparation machine 1.

[0038] The beverage preparation machine 1 further comprises a hot water outlet 7 connected to the hot water generation unit. The hot water outlet 7 allows tea, for example, to be prepared outside the beverage preparation machine 1.

[0039] The beverage preparation machine 1 further comprises a beverage outlet 8. The beverage outlet 8 can be designed to be height-adjustable in order to accommodate various, in particular differently heighted, receptacles 2 under the beverage outlet 8. The beverage outlet 8 can have more than one outlet line 9, particularly if the beverage preparation machine 1 is designed to prepare coffee-milk mixed beverages in addition to coffee (see also Fig. 2).

[0040] Furthermore, the beverage preparation machine 1 has an operating unit 10, which can preferably be designed as a graphical user interface with a touchscreen. The operating unit 10 is connected to a control device (not shown here). The control device is intended to control the beverage preparation and dispensing, as well as to control and regulate the heat and steam generation. Using the operating unit 10, the user of the beverage preparation machine 1 can, for example, select from various coffee preparations or coffee-milk mixed drinks and trigger the automatic preparation of the desired hot beverage.

[0041] A container for receiving and collecting used coffee grounds or powder can be installed in the housing 5. In Fig. 1, this container is installed behind a door 11.

[0042] The beverage preparation machine 1 further comprises a trough-shaped console 12. A trough-shaped recess of the console 12 is covered with a storage element 13. The trough-shaped recess serves, for example, to collect excess beverage or excess hot water that has flowed out of the hot water outlet 7 or overflowed beverage volume from a prepared hot beverage. To prevent the trough-shaped recess from overflowing, the recess can be connected to the sewage system, for example, with a hose.

[0043] Furthermore, if a beverage is dispensed from the beverage outlet 8 and the receptacle 2 is not placed underneath the beverage outlet 8, the product can flow directly into the trough-like recess and then into the drain. The raw materials and energy used are thus lost.

[0044] The beverage preparation machine 1 is designed to dispense hot beverages in varying volumes. The volume of the respective receptacle 2 should be sufficient for the selected hot beverage to hold the entire prepared hot beverage volume, otherwise the receptacle 2 will overflow. A receptacle 2 that is too large can also be disadvantageous, especially if it is not preheated. Hot beverages, especially coffee preparations that are usually prepared in small volumes, such as ristretto or espresso, can then cool down too much.

[0045] The storage element 13 is intended to place the receptacle 2 - here a cup - for the prepared hot beverage placed under the beverage outlet 8 on the storage element 13, as shown in Fig. 2.

[0046] The support element 13 can preferably be designed as a drip grid, and in this case, is welded together in a grid-like manner from several wire sections, preferably spot-welded or projection-welded. Alternatively, the support element 13 can also be designed as a drip tray, in which openings are made in a sheet metal plate, or in another way. The support element 13 is preferably mounted at each end on a weighing element 14a, b.

[0047] The position of the center of gravity of the receptacle 2 placed on the support element 13 under the beverage outlet 8 - which here has, for example, four outlet lines 9a, b, c, d - which loads the respective weighing element 14a, b, can be used to determine whether the receptacle 2 has been positioned centrally under the beverage outlet 8.

[0048] The center of gravity between the two weighing elements 14a, b is as follows:

[0049] Li = (Lz * G2) / Gges where

[0050] Li = distance from the weighing element 14a to the center of gravity L z = Length between the weighing elements 14a, b G2 = Weight on the weighing element 14b

[0051] Gtotal = Gl + G2

[0052] Preferably, two, three, or four or more weighing elements 14a, b are provided for the support element 13. Thus, the support element 13 is particularly preferably supported on two or three—as shown in Fig. 3a and Fig. 3b—or four weighing elements 14a, b, c. Alternatively, it is also conceivable for the support element 13 to be suspended from the respective weighing elements 14a, b, c.

[0053] The respective weighing element 14a, b, c is preferably designed as a load cell on which the support element 13 is mounted. Alternatively to the support element 13, the entire console 12 with its trough-like recess could also be mounted on weighing elements 14a, b, c. The respective weighing element 14a, b, c can be connected to the control device of the beverage preparation machine 1 via an analog-to-digital converter.

[0054] Load cells typically contain a strain gauge (SG) as the measuring element. Alternatively, the measuring element can also be designed differently, for example, as a piezoelectric element. It is also conceivable for the weighing elements 14a, b, c to be integrated into the beverage preparation machine 1 in such a way that they are not visible from the outside.

[0055] It is also conceivable to support the entire beverage preparation machine 1 on load cells or other weighing elements 14a, b, c, so that the weighing elements 14a, b, c are integrated into feet of the beverage preparation machine 1 or form the feet of the beverage preparation machine 1.

[0056] By using three or even four weighing elements 14a, b, c here and knowing their position on the storage element 13 and thus their distances from one another, the center of gravity of the receiving vessel 2 can be determined not only in the X direction (see coordinate system in Fig. 3a), but also perpendicular to it in the Y direction. The calculation of the center of gravity or the position of the storage vessel 2 on the storage element 13 in the Y direction is carried out analogously to the calculation of the center of gravity in the X direction, which was explained above. The position of the receiving vessel 2 in relation to the beverage outlet 8 can thus be determined with sufficient precision and, if necessary, even so precisely that nothing runs next to the receiving vessel 2 when the beverage is dispensed. The position of the receiving vessel 2 under the correct outlet line 9a, b, c, d of the beverage outlet 8 is detected and, if necessary,optionally also for the steam lance 6, which is preferably arranged laterally to the beverage outlet 8, and the hot water outlet 7, which is also preferably arranged laterally to the beverage outlet 8.

[0057] The weight of the respective receptacle 2 can also be measured in this way and stored in the control unit. Specific beverages can be assigned to specific receptacles 2 with this measured weight. The initial weight of the dispensed coffee beverage or coffee-milk blend can be continuously measured. This allows conclusions to be drawn about changes or wear in the beverage preparation machine 1.

[0058] The ratio of the beverage volume, which can be measured, for example, with a vane-type meter in the beverage preparation machine 1, to the weight of the individual product components can also be determined. Milk foam, for example, can have a wide variety of volumetric weights. The quality of the milk foam depends heavily on the milk used. If the customer's milk quality changes, this can be detected even more accurately using the weighing elements 14a, b, c.

[0059] If the receiving container 2 overflows during beverage dispensing, a volume flow will initially be measured, but no increase in weight will be detected. The beverage dispensing may then be automatically aborted, and an error message may be displayed on the control unit 10.

[0060] When commissioning a beverage preparation machine 1, flow rates or volume flows often need to be determined. With suitable control software, the information from the weighing elements 14a, b, c can be used for this purpose. This saves a service technician work, as they do not have to manually enter the measured value. For example, the flow rates of an aroma module (not shown here), which can be used to add caramel syrup to the prepared hot beverage, currently have to be determined manually.

[0061] Today, this is done using a measuring device placed under the beverage outlet 8. The service technician must then, using a control function and pressing a corresponding button or actuation knob on the control unit 10, trigger the delivery of each individual syrup type for ten seconds and read the delivered volume. This value must be re-entered via the control unit 10. If the unit of the volume flow or the delivered volume per time can be switched from ml / s to g / s in the control unit, the result can be determined automatically using the weighing elements 14a, b, c on the storage element 13.

[0062] The following procedure is specified for the operation of the beverage preparation machine 1:

[0063] In a first method step, the operational beverage preparation machine 1 is provided.

[0064] In a second method step, a user of the beverage preparation machine 1 places a receiving vessel 2 on the storage element 2 provided for this purpose and positions it under the beverage outlet 8 or the hot water outlet 7 or the steam lance 6.

[0065] In a subsequent method step, a position of the receiving vessel 2 on the storage element 13 is determined from the measured values ​​of the weighing elements 14a, b, c by the control device with which the weighing elements 14a, b, c are connected.

[0066] In a subsequent process step, the user selects a coffee preparation, a coffee-milk mixed drink, the filling of the receiving vessel 2 with hot water or the activation of the steam lance via the control unit 10 of the beverage preparation machine 1.

[0067] In a subsequent method step, the determined actual position and the actual empty weight of the receiving vessel 2 are compared with the target position and the target empty weight of the receiving vessel 2 on the storage element 13 based on the selected hot beverage or the selected function of the beverage preparation machine 1.

[0068] If the determined actual position and the determined actual empty weight of the receptacle 2 are identical to the target position and the target empty weight of the receptacle 2 on the storage element 13, the control device starts the preparation of the desired hot beverage or the desired function of the beverage preparation machine, in particular the coffee and / or tea machine 1, in a subsequent method step. If the determined actual position and the determined actual empty weight of the receptacle 2 are not identical to the target position and the target empty weight of the receptacle 2 on the storage element 13, the control device generates a warning or fault message, for example on the operating unit, and the user is thereby prompted to either place a different receptacle 2 on the storage element 13 in the current actual position of the receptacle 2 or to change the actual position of the receptacle 2.

[0069] Only when a corresponding correction has been made by the user and this is confirmed by the evaluation of the measurement results of the weighing elements 14a, b, c, the desired beverage is prepared or the desired function of the beverage preparation machine 1 is activated.

[0070] List of reference symbols

[0071] 1 beverage preparation machine

[0072] 2 Receptacle 3 Container

[0073] 4 containers

[0074] 5 housings

[0075] 6 Dam plant

[0076] 7 Hot water outlet 8 Beverage outlet

[0077] 9a, b, c, d Outlet line

[0078] 10 Control unit

[0079] 11 Door

[0080] 12 Console 13 Shelving element

[0081] 14a, b, c Weighing element

Claims

Claims 1. Beverage preparation machine, in particular a coffee and / or tea machine (1), which is intended to dispense hot beverages in different volumes and into different receptacles (2), wherein the beverage preparation machine (1) has at least the following: a) a beverage outlet (8) which has at least one outlet line (9), and b) a console (12) which has a storage element (13) on which a receptacle (2) can be placed, in particular in an area below the beverage outlet, characterized in that c) at least two weighing elements (14a, b, c) are assigned to the storage element (13).

2. Beverage preparation machine, in particular coffee and / or tea machine (1), according to claim 1, characterized in that at least three weighing elements (14a, b, c) are assigned to the storage element (13).

3. Beverage preparation machine, in particular coffee and / or tea machine (1), according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the storage element (13) is supported on the weighing elements (14a, b, c).

4. Beverage preparation machine, in particular coffee and / or tea machine (1) according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the weighing elements are connected to a control device of the beverage preparation machine, on which an evaluation program runs during operation of the beverage preparation machine, which program records and processes the measured values ​​of the weighing elements, whereby the weight and / or the position of the receiving vessel are determined.

5. Beverage preparation machine, in particular coffee and / or tea machine (1), according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, characterized in that the respective weighing element (14a, b, c) is designed as a load cell.

6. Beverage preparation machine, in particular coffee and / or tea machine (1), according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the respective weighing element (14a, b, c) is designed as a strain gauge or as a piezo element.

7. Beverage preparation machine, in particular coffee and / or tea machine (1), according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the respective weighing element (14a, b, c) is integrated into the beverage preparation machine (1) in such a way that it is not visible from the outside.

8. Beverage preparation machine, in particular coffee and / or tea machine (1), according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the respective weighing element (14a, b, c) is connected to a control device, wherein the control device is provided to determine a presence and / or a position of the receiving vessel (2) on the storage element (13) from the measured values ​​of the weighing elements (14a, b, c).

9. Beverage preparation machine, in particular coffee and / or tea machine (1), according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the storage element (13) is a drip grid.

10. Beverage preparation machine, in particular coffee and / or tea machine (1), according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the beverage outlet (8) has more than one outlet line (9).

11. Beverage preparation machine, in particular coffee and / or tea machine (1), according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the beverage outlet (8) is height-adjustable.

12. Beverage preparation machine, in particular coffee and / or tea machine (1), according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the beverage preparation machine (1) has a steam lance (6).

13. Beverage preparation machine, in particular coffee and / or tea machine (1), according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the beverage preparation machine (1) has a separate hot water outlet (7).

14. Beverage preparation machine, in particular coffee and / or tea machine (1), according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the console (12) has a trough-like recess.

15. Method for operating a beverage preparation machine, in particular a coffee and / or tea machine (1 ), which is designed according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 14, characterized by the following method steps: a) providing a beverage preparation machine (1) and one or more receptacles (2); b) placing one of the receptacles (2) on the storage element (2) provided for this purpose; c) determining the actual position of the receptacle (2) on the storage element (13) and / or the actual weight of the receptacle (2) from one or more measured values ​​of the weighing elements by means of a Evaluation device of a control device with which the weighing elements are connected.

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