BEVERAGE PREPARATION MACHINE HAVING A LOCATION ELEMENT FOR POSITIONING DIFFERENT CONTAINERS TO RECEIVE BEVERAGES - Patent application

Abstract

The present invention relates to a beverage preparation machine 1 having a positioning element 21 for receiving prepared beverages, i.e. for arranging different containers in the beverage preparation machine 1 during the preparation process, as well as to the positioning element 21 itself. The positioning element 21 can be positioned relative to the outlet 14 of the beverage preparation machine 1 in a first alignment and in a second alignment different from the first alignment. A container for receiving a prepared beverage can be positioned on the positioning element 21 during beverage preparation in the first alignment and in the second alignment.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a beverage preparation machine having a positioning element for receiving a prepared beverage, i.e. for positioning different containers in the beverage preparation machine during the preparation process, as well as the positioning element itself. In particular, this relates to a beverage preparation machine for preparing beverages from portion capsules, in particular a coffee capsule machine. [Background technology]

[0002] The demands on beverage preparation machines are constantly increasing. This is due on the one hand to the fact that users want to be able to prepare individualized beverages, for example with regard to the beverage volume, the taste (especially the strength), the preparation and / or the proportion of the different ingredients (e.g. coffee and milk). At the same time, the operation and maintenance of the beverage preparation machine should be kept as simple and intuitive as possible, the space requirements of the beverage preparation machine should be kept as small as possible and the optical appearance should be of high quality.

[0003] In other words, with regard to modern beverage preparation machines, particularly modern beverage preparation machines for non-commercial operation, the objective here is inter alia to increase the variety of beverages and preparations without increasing the operating, maintenance and space requirements or deteriorating the optical appearance.

[0004] Closely related to this objective is the question of how it is possible to enable the use of different containers for receiving the beverage prepared by the beverage preparation machine, these containers differing in particular in their size, in particular their height.

[0005] For this purpose, the state of the art basically offers two solutions. According to a first solution, the beverage preparation machine is equipped with a cup platform that can be pulled out from a base (housing, base) of the beverage preparation machine. A corresponding beverage preparation machine is disclosed, for example, in WO 2017 / 067788.

[0006] According to a second solution, the beverage preparation machine comprises a kind of folding table arranged on a wall of the base of the beverage preparation machine. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] These solutions for positioning elements for different containers are unsatisfactory because they include, for example, hinges and / or guides and are therefore complex and therefore expensive to manufacture and prone to errors and damage in use. Moreover, these solutions are also unsatisfactory in terms of maintenance, since they increase the cleaning effort. This basically depends on the number of parts of the positioning element to be cleaned, their accessibility, as well as the possibility of contamination on or in the base of the beverage preparation machine and their accessibility. Finally, at least the first mentioned solution according to the state of the art (cup platform that can be pulled out from the base) increases the space requirements of the beverage preparation machine, since the cup platform is usually bulky. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The object of the present invention is to provide a beverage preparation machine with a positioning element by which different containers for receiving a prepared beverage can be positioned as optimally as possible during the preparation process, which overcomes the disadvantages of beverage preparation machines with positioning elements according to the state of the art, such as the aforementioned pull-out cup platforms or unfolded tables. Here, the different containers differ from one another, in particular in their size, in particular in their height. Which of the different containers is positioned as optimally as possible in the beverage preparation machine during the preparation process by using the positioning element depends on a selection by the user. The selection can for example depend on the prepared beverage, i.e. the container can be adapted to the prepared beverage, or can be the result of other considerations, such as preferences for a particular container.

[0009] In particular, the object of the present invention is to provide a beverage preparation machine with arrangement elements in which different containers for receiving prepared beverages can be arranged as optimally as possible during the preparation process and which are improved compared to arrangement elements according to the state of the art in terms of manufacturing effort, reliability, in particular tendency to errors and damage, and / or maintenance, in particular cleaning effort.

[0010] It is a further object of the present invention to provide the location element itself. A beverage preparation machine according to the invention comprising a positioning element according to the invention further comprises an outlet for delivery of the prepared beverage and a receiving area for receiving a container for receiving the prepared beverage.

[0011] The outlet is typically located in, for example below, the outlet hood. The receiving area is bounded at the top by an outlet and / or an outlet hood.

[0012] The beverage preparation machine, in particular the positioning element and the area of ​​the beverage preparation machine comprising the receiving area, are designed such that the positioning element can be positioned in a first alignment and a second alignment relative to the outlet, the second alignment being different from the first alignment.

[0013] The beverage preparation machine, in particular the arrangement element and the area of ​​the beverage preparation machine comprising the receiving area, are designed such that in a first alignment of the arrangement element and in a second alignment of the arrangement element a container for receiving a prepared beverage can be placed on the arrangement element during beverage preparation, whereby a position of the first container or a first group of containers in the beverage preparation machine, in particular relative to the outlet, is optimized when the arrangement element is located in the first alignment and a position of the second container or a second group of containers in the beverage preparation machine, in particular relative to the outlet, is optimized when the arrangement element is located in the second alignment, whereby the first container or the first group of containers has a different container height in particular than the second container or the second group of containers.

[0014] With regard to the positioning element, its configuration and arrangement in the beverage preparation machine in the first alignment and in the second alignment are such that a container for receiving a beverage prepared by the beverage preparation machine can be placed on the positioning element during beverage preparation, where in the first alignment the positioning element optimizes the position of the first container and in the second alignment the positioning element optimizes the position of the second container, the first and second containers being different in particular in terms of container height.

[0015] The configuration of the placement element relates in particular to the presence of a horizontally arranged surface in the first and second alignments of the placement element, on which surface a container for receiving the prepared beverage can be placed during beverage preparation.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the horizontal surface in the case of a first alignment of the placement elements and the horizontal surface in the case of a second alignment of the placement elements are surfaces or are surfaces of the same area of ​​the placement elements, which means that according to a first variant of this embodiment, it is exactly the same surface of the placement elements on which the container can be placed given the first and second alignments, and according to a second variant of this embodiment, said area can comprise two surfaces on which the container can be placed given the corresponding alignment of the placement elements.

[0017] In particular, the second variant is interesting with regard to the objective to be achieved by the invention: for example, the area can be designed in the form of a plate, a first flat side of the plate-like area forming a surface on which the container can be placed in the case of a first alignment of the positioning element, and a flat side opposite the first flat side forming a surface on which the container can be placed in the case of a second alignment of the positioning element.

[0018] Independently of whether the horizontally arranged surface in the first alignment and the horizontally arranged surface in the second alignment are realised according to the first variant or the second variant, the area of ​​the arrangement element may be a first area of ​​the arrangement element and the arrangement element may comprise a second area, where the first area is arranged horizontally in the first alignment and in the second alignment and a container for receiving a prepared beverage may be arranged on the first area in the first alignment and in the second alignment during beverage preparation.

[0019] Further, for this embodiment, the second region is at an angle to the first region in the first and second alignments of the placement elements.

[0020] In one embodiment, the angle is an unalterable angle, meaning that the second region extends at the same angle to the first region in the first alignment and in the second alignment, in particular, this angle can be 90°.

[0021] Regardless of whether one or more of the features of the embodiments of the placement element described above or below are implemented, in one embodiment the placement element may be implemented as an L-shaped element.

[0022] In particular, an element is L-shaped if the element in cross-section, particularly in all cross-sections along a linear axis, has essentially the shape of a capital letter L, or if the cross-section or cross-sections along a linear axis of the element are characterized by an L-shaped portion.

[0023] In other words, the element is L-shaped, especially when it is essentially formed from a first normally plate-like region and a second normally plate-like region, the two regions extending at an angle, where the angle is about 90°, especially 90°.

[0024] "Essentially in the shape of a capital L," "characterized by an L-shaped portion," and "essentially formed from a first normally plate-like region and a second normally plate-like region" mean that additional structures or elements may be present, but these are small compared to the elements that make up the L-shape, especially compared to the first and second regions. An opening through which fluid can pass, or a retention region, as described below, are examples of such additional structures or elements.

[0025] As can be derived from the above, the L-shaped arrangement element comprises a first, usually plate-like region and a second, usually plate-like region, the first and second regions being connected along a connection axis, in particular exactly one, usually linear connection axis. The first region has its extension along a first axis perpendicular to the connection axis, and the second region has its extension along a second axis perpendicular to the connection axis. In other words, the first region in a radial direction relative to the connection axis has its extension, and the second region in a radial direction relative to the connection axis has its extension.

[0026] "L-shaped" does not mean that the extension of the first region must be greater or less than the extension of the second region. In one embodiment of the placement element, the extension of the first region is equal to the extension of the second region.

[0027] Irrespective of whether one or more of the above and below described features of the embodiments of the placement element are realized, the placement element may comprise one or more of the following features:

[0028] The placement element is integral. This means that no part of the placement element can be removed from it in a non-destructive way.

[0029] In one embodiment, the placement element is not only one piece, but also has no moving parts, meaning that no part of the placement element can move non-destructively relative to another part of the placement element.

[0030] The placement element is formed, for example, from a cut or molded plate-shaped starting body. This includes embodiments in which only one part is formed from the plate-shaped starting body, which defines the shape and function of the placement element. A part of the placement element defines the shape and function, in particular if a container for receiving a prepared beverage can be placed in the area of ​​the plate-shaped part during beverage preparation and another plate-shaped area of ​​the plate-shaped part contributes to the positioning of the placement element during beverage preparation in the beverage preparation machine. This contribution can be, for example, a fixation of the distance to another element and / or a support feature of the beverage preparation machine.

[0031] In one embodiment, the placement element is formed from a plate-shaped starting body such that the placement element does not form a volume for receiving solid objects or liquids, in other words, the placement element does not define a volume in which solid objects or liquids, for example liquids exiting from the outlet of the beverage preparation machine, can be collected.

[0032] In particular, the location element does not form a laterally bounded volume. In particular, a body is plate-like if its extension in a plane is significantly greater than its extension in a direction perpendicular to this plane.

[0033] It will be appreciated that the positioning element, regardless of its specific realization, has sufficient stability in the first and second alignments to support a commercial container filled with a ready-made beverage.

[0034] As already mentioned, the configuration of the positioning element and its positioning in the beverage preparation machine in the first alignment and the second alignment are such that a container for receiving a beverage prepared by the beverage preparation machine can be placed on the positioning element during beverage preparation, with the positioning element in the first alignment optimizing the position of the first container and the positioning element in the second alignment optimizing the position of the second container.

[0035] Taking into account the arrangement of the placement elements in the beverage preparation machine, and regardless of the specific configuration of the placement elements, the first alignment differs from the second alignment in particular in that the placement elements are arranged rotated around a horizontal axis.

[0036] For example, if the positioning element is realised as an L-shaped element, the first alignment may correspond to an L in the normal use alignment, meaning having a vertical part and a horizontal part that engages at the bottom end of the vertical part, while the second alignment corresponds to an upside-down L, i.e. an L rotated 180° around a horizontal axis.

[0037] Regardless of the exact configuration of the positioning element, the positioning element may additionally or alternatively be positioned loosely exposed to the beverage preparation machine in the first alignment and the second alignment.

[0038] In particular, a positioning element is loosely positioned in a beverage preparation machine if it can be completely removed by a user from the beverage preparation machine by a simple linear movement, especially a simple linear movement upwards, without manipulating the beverage preparation machine or any part of it and even without disabling it. With some exaggeration, it can also be said that a positioning element is loosely positioned in a beverage preparation machine if it comes off the beverage preparation machine as soon as the beverage preparation machine is tilted somewhat forward or to the side.

[0039] In particular, when not inserted into the housing of the beverage preparation machine, the positioning element is exposed. The beverage preparation machine may be provided with means for preventing undesired displacement of the location element in an operatively arranged beverage preparation machine. These means may be such that undesired displacement of the location element is prevented only in its first or second alignment. However, the means may also be such that undesired displacement of the location element is prevented in its first and second alignments.

[0040] Typically, ie independently of the concrete realisation of the beverage preparation machine and the arrangement elements, the arrangement elements of the first arrangement and the second arrangement are arranged in the area between the outlet of the beverage preparation machine and the drip tray.

[0041] In one embodiment, the positioning element includes one or more retention areas that can engage structures of the drip tray such that movement of the positioning element along a horizontal direction and / or rotation of the positioning element about a horizontal axis is prevented.

[0042] The retention area or areas engage with a structure of the drip tray, particularly along a vertical direction.

[0043] The retention area or areas and this or their mating structures may form a secure fit, particularly in the horizontal direction.

[0044] The placement element may comprise a first holding area for the first alignment and a second holding area for the second alignment, in particular when the first alignment differs from the second alignment in that the placement element being positioned is rotated around a horizontal axis.

[0045] As mentioned above, the configuration and alignment of the placement elements in the beverage preparation machine serves to optimize the position of different containers for receiving prepared beverages during the preparation process. Firstly, this is done by the placement elements defining different distances between the outlet and the surface of the placement elements on which the containers can be placed, depending on the alignment.

[0046] In one embodiment, the placement elements in the first and second alignments define the receiving area in a direction opposite to the outlet. In other words, the placement elements in the first and second alignments delimit the receiving area to the bottom. Herein, the placement elements define a first extension of the receiving area in a direction opposite to the outlet (usually this means the bottom) when the placement elements are placed in the first alignment, and a second extension of the receiving area in a direction opposite to the outlet (usually this means the bottom) when the placement elements are placed in the second alignment, the first extension being different from the second extension. In other words, the vertical extension of the receiving area depends on the alignment of the placement elements.

[0047] The first extension can differ from the second extension in particular by the length of the second region, the length of the second region being the extension of the second region along a straight line extending from the line of contact between the first region and the second region along the second region and perpendicular to this line of contact.

[0048] The invention also relates to a positioning element per se, i.e. a positioning element for positioning containers of different sizes, in particular different container heights, in a beverage preparation machine for receiving a prepared beverage.

[0049] With regard to the beverage preparation machine, in particular the beverage preparation machine is one of the beverage preparation machines described above in any one of the embodiments described above.

[0050] In a preferred embodiment, the placement element has a shape that, in a first alignment, comprises a first horizontal surface suitable for depositing the container, and, in a second alignment, comprises a second horizontal surface suitable for depositing the container, where the second alignment is an alignment rotated about a horizontal axis compared to the first alignment.

[0051] The angle of rotation about the horizontal axis for bringing the placement elements from the first alignment to the second alignment may in particular be 180°.

[0052] The layout element may comprise one, several or all of the features mentioned in the context of the layout element of the beverage preparation machine.

[0053] In particular, the placement element may have one or more of the following features: The first horizontal plane may be different from the second horizontal plane.

[0054] The first horizontal surface and the second horizontal surface can be surfaces of the same region of the configuration element. In many embodiments, the first and second horizontal surfaces are different horizontal surfaces but are formed by the same region of the configuration element.

[0055] In particular, the first horizontal plane and the second horizontal plane can be the aforementioned horizontal planes when a first alignment of the arrangement elements is given, and the aforementioned horizontal planes when a second alignment of the arrangement elements is given can be realized in each embodiment described so far in this context.

[0056] The placement element can be produced from a plate-shaped starting body, in particular in the manner described above. In particular, the placement element may be formed from a plate-shaped starting body and further comprise the first and second regions as described above in one of the described embodiments.

[0057] In particular, the placement element can be formed from a plate-shaped starting body so as not to form a volume in the aforementioned context for receiving solid objects or liquids.

[0058] The placement element can be realized as an L-shaped element in the above context. When the positioning element is realised as an L-shaped element, typically the portions of the L-shaped element that typically extend at an angle of approximately 90° form the aforementioned first and second regions.

[0059] The placement element may be integral, in particular in one of the ways described above. In one embodiment, the placement element formed from the plate-like starting body is one piece.

[0060] Disregarding the holding area optionally present in one of the aforementioned methods, the placement element may not comprise any element at all that can connect the placement element to or guide it through the beverage preparation machine.

[0061] The placement element may be configured for loosely exposed placement in a beverage preparation machine. In particular, the placement element can be formed from a plate-like starting body, is integral, and is L-shaped. In this specification, in particular "formed from a plate-like starting body", "integral" and "L-shaped" should be understood in the above context.

[0062] Hereinafter, examples of embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, in which the same reference numbers indicate the same or similar components. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0063] [Figure 1] Exemplary embodiments of beverage preparation machines with exemplary placement elements in a first alignment [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the beverage preparation machine according to FIG. 1; [Diagram 3] The beverage preparation machine of Figure 1, wherein the positioning element is in a second alignment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0064] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a beverage preparation machine 1 according to the invention, in particular comprising a placement element 21 according to the invention in an exemplary embodiment.

[0065] The illustrated beverage preparation machine 1 is a coffee capsule machine which, apart from the arrangement element 21, comprises the following elements:

[0066] An operating lever 4 which can be moved from a closed position to an open position, whereby when the operating lever 4 is in the closed position it closes a capsule insert opening for inserting a capsule into the beverage preparation machine, and when the operating lever 4 is in the open position the capsule insert opening is open.

[0067] An operating element 5 with which the beverage prepared by the beverage preparation machine 1 can be individualized. A water tank 3 from which water is drawn during the preparation process to supply the brewing chamber of the beverage preparation machine 1.

[0068] An outlet hood 16 with an outlet 14 through which the prepared beverage leaves the beverage preparation machine 1.

[0069] In the embodiment shown, a drip tray 24, which comprises a receiving element 26 and a cover element 25. The cover element 25 closes the receiving element 26 on top.

[0070] A catchment container 2 (only visible in Fig. 2) into which the used partial capsules are ejected. The positioning element 21 serves to position a container selected by a user from a plurality of (which means at least two) containers relative to the outlet 14 in an optimal manner during the preparation process to receive the prepared beverage, or at least in a more optimal manner compared to a positioning element that results in a fixed distance between the container base and the outlet 14.

[0071] The positioning element 21, together with the outlet 14 or the outlet hood 16, therefore defines a receiving area 15 of the beverage preparation machine 1 into which the containers are brought and which, according to the invention, can be optimized or at least improved for a particular container or a particular group of containers by the positioning element 21, in particular by the alignment of the positioning element 21 within the beverage preparation machine 1.

[0072] In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the placement element 21 is arranged in the beverage preparation machine 1 in a first orientation that is particularly suitable for a first container. Figure 3 shows the same beverage preparation machine 1 with the same placement element 21 arranged in the beverage preparation machine 1 in a second orientation that is particularly suitable for a second container.

[0073] The illustrated positioning element 21 is an L-shaped positioning element that is integrally formed from a plate-like starting body, so that in the ready-for-operation state of the beverage preparation machine it comprises a first horizontally aligned region 41 and a second vertically aligned region 42. The first region 41 forms a positioning surface for the container in the first alignment shown in Figure 1 and in the second alignment shown in Figure 3.

[0074] The first alignment differs from the second alignment in that the positioning element 21 in the second alignment is upside down compared to the first alignment, which means that it is rotated 180° around a horizontal axis extending parallel to the front of the beverage preparation machine 1, where the second region 42, which is aligned vertically as in the previous case, is now displaced towards the outlet 14 and serves as a support for the first region 41, which is aligned horizontally as in the previous case.

[0075] The vertically running side of the beverage preparation machine 1 which faces the user in operation and from which, for example, the outlet hood 16 and the drip tray 24 protrude is designated as the front of the coffee machine.

[0076] Ignoring the arrangement element 21, all the aforementioned elements of the beverage preparation machine 1 are arranged completely or partially in the basic unit 10 (housing, base) of the beverage preparation machine 1, for example because they belong to the internal mechanism of the beverage preparation machine 1 (e.g. the extraction chamber) and are therefore arranged in the basic unit 10, either because they do not protrude beyond the basic unit 10 and are therefore advantageously arranged completely or at least flush in the basic unit (e.g. the water tank 3 or the catch basin 2), or because they need to take a specific position relative to the base 10 and are therefore partially arranged, for example inserted in the basic unit 10 (e.g. the drip tray 24).

[0077] In contrast to the above-mentioned elements of the beverage preparation machine 1, in the illustrated ready-for-operation state of the beverage preparation machine 1, regardless of whether the positioning element 21 is arranged in a first alignment (Figure 1) that is particularly suitable for a first container, or in a second alignment (Figure 3) that is particularly suitable for a second container, the positioning element 21 is arranged in, or better expressed, on, the beverage preparation machine 1 so as to be exposed or loosely lying.

[0078] Figure 2 shows the beverage preparation machine according to figure 1 in an exploded view, in which the L-shaped arrangement element 21, which according to the illustrated exemplary embodiment is formed as a single piece from a plate-shaped starting body, can be particularly well seen.

[0079] Furthermore, in Fig. 2 a first holding area 27.1 and a second holding area 27.2 of the positioning element 21 are visible. These are realised as deviations from the L-shape of the positioning element 21 and are dimensioned such that they can engage in corresponding openings in the drip tray 24. This makes it possible to prevent the otherwise loose positioning element 21, which is arranged exposed in the beverage preparation machine 1, from slipping off due to the load of the filled container.

[0080] As mentioned above, Figure 3 shows the beverage preparation machine 1 according to Figure 1, with the positioning elements 21 arranged in a second alignment. Reference is made to what has been described with reference to Figure 1.

Claims

1. A beverage preparation machine (1), comprising: an outlet (14) for delivery of the prepared beverage; a receiving area (15) for receiving a container for receiving the prepared beverage; - a placement element (21) comprising a first area (41) and a second area (42); Equipped with The beverage preparation machine (1) is characterized in that the positioning element (21) can be positioned relative to the outlet (14) in a first alignment and a second alignment different from the first alignment, and a container for receiving the prepared beverage can be placed on the positioning element (21) during beverage preparation in the first alignment and the second alignment, and the positioning element (21) is realized as an L-shaped element.

2. 2. The beverage preparation machine (1) of claim 1, wherein the first area (41) is arranged horizontally in the first alignment and the second alignment, and a container for receiving the prepared beverage can be placed on the first area (41) in the first alignment and the second alignment during beverage preparation.

3. 2. The beverage preparation machine (1) of claim 1, wherein in the second alignment, the second region (42) extends vertically and supports the first region towards a base of the beverage preparation machine.

4. 4. The beverage preparation machine (1) of claim 3, wherein in the second alignment, the second region (42) engages an opening in the beverage preparation machine, the opening extending vertically from an exposed horizontal surface.

5. The beverage preparation machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first alignment differs from the second alignment in that the positioning element (21) is rotated and positioned around a horizontal axis.

6. The beverage preparation machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the positioning element is positioned loosely exposed within the beverage preparation machine (1) in the first alignment and the second alignment.

7. 5. The beverage preparation machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the positioning element (21) in the first alignment and the second alignment is positioned in an area between the outlet (14) and the drip tray (24), and the holding areas (27.1, 27.2) of the positioning element (21) engage with a structure of the drip tray (24) so ​​as to prevent movement of the positioning element (21) along a horizontal direction and / or rotation of the positioning element (21) around a horizontal axis.

8. The beverage preparation machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the placement element (2) is a single-part element.

9. The beverage preparation machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the positioning element (21) is formed from a plate-shaped starting body.

10. 10. The beverage preparation machine (1) according to claim 9, wherein the locating element (21) is formed from the plate-shaped starting body such that the locating element (21) does not form a volume for receiving solids or liquids.

11. 5. The beverage preparation machine (1) of claim 1, wherein the arrangement element (21) in the first alignment and the second alignment defines the receiving area (15) in a direction facing the outlet (14), the arrangement element (21) defines a first extension of the receiving area (15) in a direction facing the outlet (14) when the arrangement element (21) is arranged in the first alignment, and the arrangement element (21) defines a second extension of the receiving area (15) in a direction facing the outlet (14) when the arrangement element (21) is arranged in the second alignment, the first extension being different from the second extension.

12. An arrangement element (21) for arranging different sized containers for receiving the prepared beverages in a beverage preparation machine (1), the arrangement element (21) being L-shaped.

13. 13. The placement element (21) of claim 12, wherein the placement element in a first alignment has a first horizontal surface for depositing a container, and the placement element in a second alignment has a second horizontal surface for depositing a container, the second alignment being an alignment that is rotated about a horizontal axis compared to the first alignment.

14. 14. The positioning element (21) according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the positioning element (21) is one piece.

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