DEVICE FOR PREPARING AND DISPENSING BEVERAGES HAVING AN IMPROVED SOLENOID VALVE ARRANGEMENT - Patent application

Abstract

The present invention relates to a machine (10) for preparing and dispensing beverages, comprising at least one beverage preparation device (18) designed for preparing and dispensing beverages, and at least one water supply device (20) provided with one or more water delivery pipes (22) to the beverage preparation device (18) and one or more solenoid valves (50, 52, 54) respectively coupled to the corresponding water delivery pipes, the solenoid valves (50, 52, 54) being arranged in a housing chamber in a door section of a main casing (12) so as to be quickly and easily accessible when the door (16) is open during respective adjustment and / or maintenance operations.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates generally to a machine for preparing and dispensing beverages, and in particular to a machine that can be part of a system for the automated supply of beverages. The machine can be used to prepare a variety of beverages. Such beverages are usually made from water and at least one additive substance for the beverage, such as syrup, flavoring, etc. [Background technology]

[0002] As is known, beverages made from water and at least one additive substance can be prepared using machines that generally comprise at least one water supply device, at least one additive substance delivery device for additive substances to be mixed with the water, and at least one beverage preparation device. The beverage preparation device both mixes the water with one or more additive substances to obtain a desired beverage and then dispenses such beverage towards one or more containers (e.g. glasses, bottles, and / or water bottles) to be used by the consumer. These machines for preparing and dispensing beverages are also provided with at least one door allowing access to the device, which door usually defines a cavity or recess into which a user can insert a container to obtain the desired beverage.

[0003] The water supply device is typically provided with a number of solenoid valves that enable the delivery of water to the beverage preparation device. There may be a single solenoid valve for each type of water delivered to the beverage preparation device (chilled water, ambient temperature water, carbonated water, etc.).

[0004] The solenoid valve of the water dispenser is usually located inside the machine for randomly preparing and dispensing the beverage, which may make it difficult to access the solenoid valve, especially in the case of adjusting the solenoid valve and / or for further maintenance work on the solenoid valve. Summary of the Invention

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a machine for preparing and dispensing beverages, which is able to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art in a simple, inexpensive and functional manner.

[0006] More particularly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a machine for preparing and dispensing beverages which allows easy and direct access to the solenoid valve of the water dispenser.

[0007] This and further objects according to the invention are achieved by a machine for preparing and dispensing beverages according to claim 1. Further features of the invention are highlighted by the dependent claims which form an integral part of the present specification.

[0008] The machine for preparing and dispensing beverages according to the invention comprises: a main casing capable of defining housing chambers for a number of devices of the machine and provided with at least one opening defining a door compartment to the housing chambers; at least one door provided with an outer surface and an inner surface directed towards the housing chamber, the at least one door being hinged to the main casing at a hinge axis and configured to close the door section in an operational configuration of the machine; at least one beverage preparation device designed for preparing and dispensing a beverage; at least one water supply device provided with one or more water delivery pipes to the beverage preparation device and one or more solenoid valves respectively coupled to the corresponding water delivery pipes; - at least one additive substance delivery device provided with one or more additive substance delivery pipes to the beverage preparation device; The beverage preparation device comprises: at least one mixing and dispensing nozzle; at least one recess formed in the door and defining a seat, the seat opening into an exterior surface of the door for holding at least one container into which a beverage is dispensed through the nozzle; Equipped with The solenoid valve is located in a housing chamber in the door section of the main casing so as to be readily accessible when the door is open for respective adjustment and / or maintenance operations.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the solenoid valve is located in front of one or more devices of the machine located within the housing chamber.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the water supply device is provided with at least one water cooling unit, the solenoid valve being arranged in front of the water cooling unit.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the solenoid valves are mounted on a single support frame located within the housing chamber in the door section of the main casing so as to face the door when the door is closed.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the solenoid valve is at least partially covered by a corresponding protective cover.

[0013] According to one embodiment, each solenoid valve is mounted at a different height relative to the support surface of the machine than the other solenoid valves.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the water delivery pipe is provided with respective delivery pipe sections extending from each solenoid valve, the delivery pipe sections being oriented towards the hinge axis of the door.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the water supply device and the additive substance delivery device are arranged in the housing chamber, all water delivery pipes and all additive substance delivery pipes are hydraulically connected to a nozzle, which is designed to mix water with the additive substance to obtain a beverage and deliver the beverage, and which is fixed in a recess to ensure easy access to the machine's devices arranged in the housing chamber when the door is open.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the water delivery pipe and the additive delivery pipe are provided with respective pipe ends for connection to the nozzle, and the pipe ends are grouped together to form at least one single-ended tube bundle that is disposed at the nozzle.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the water delivery pipe and the additive delivery pipe are provided with respective pipe ends for connection to the nozzles, at least some of the pipe ends are provided with one or more flow control devices capable of identifying the passage of fluid within the pipe ends, and the flow control devices are electrically connected to the electronic control unit of the machine.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the flow control devices are electrically connected to the electronic control unit of the machine by respective electrical cables integrated into the one-sided tube bundle.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the water delivery pipes and the additive delivery pipes are each provided with intermediate pipe sections which are grouped and joined to one another in the region of the housing chamber close to the hinge axis of the door so as to form respective intermediate tube bundles which occupy the smallest possible space inside the housing chamber and improve accessibility to the machine equipment.

[0020] According to one embodiment, when the door is open, both the intermediate bundle of water delivery pipes and the intermediate bundle of additive delivery pipes exit from an upper corner of the housing chamber located on the hinge axis of the door and connect to the nozzle.

[0021] According to one embodiment, at least one protective element for preventing the water delivery pipe and the additive delivery pipe from being crushed between the door and the main casing is provided in the housing chamber in an area of ​​the housing chamber close to the hinge axis of the door.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the nozzle comprises at least two separable components, a first component consisting of a collecting element protruding from the inner surface of the door and configured to connect with a water delivery pipe and an additive substance delivery pipe, and a second component consisting of a funnel-shaped distribution element arranged downstream of the collecting element and facing the seat, the collecting element being provided with a number of inlet fittings for all the water delivery pipes and all the additive substance delivery pipes, the inlet fittings being formed on one side of the collecting element.

[0023] The characteristics and advantages of the machine for preparing and dispensing beverages according to the invention will become apparent from the following description, given by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a machine for preparing and dispensing beverages according to the present invention, the machine being shown in a door-open configuration; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a further perspective view of the machine of FIG. 1; [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a front view of the machine of FIG. 1, the machine being shown in a door-closed configuration; [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a hydraulic diagram of the machine of FIG. 1; [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a detailed view of some of the internal equipment of the machine of FIG. 1. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a further detailed view of some of the internal equipment of the machine of FIG. 1. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 shows a first component of the dispensing nozzle of the machine of FIG. 1; [Figure 8]FIG. 2 shows a second component of the dispensing nozzle of the machine of FIG. 1. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a detailed view of the internal components of the machine of FIG. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] With reference to the drawings, there is shown a preferred embodiment of a machine for preparing and dispensing beverages according to the invention. The machine is generally designated by the reference number 10. The machine 10 is of a type comprising a main casing 12 capable of defining a housing chamber. Such main casing 12 is preferably provided with at least one opening defining a door compartment to the housing chamber and finally with at least one side wall 14. This main casing 12, and in particular the housing chamber, encloses an internal volume suitable for accommodating a number of devices of the machine 10.

[0026] The door 16 of the machine 10 has an outer surface and an inner surface oriented towards the housing chamber, i.e., towards the interior volume of the machine 10. The door 16 is hinged to the main casing 12 at a hinge axis A, preferably having a substantially vertical extension, and is configured to close the door compartment in the operative configuration of the machine 10.

[0027] Machine 10 is at least one beverage preparation device 18 designed for preparing and dispensing a beverage; at least one water supply device 20 provided with one or more water delivery pipes 22 to the beverage preparation device 18; and at least one additive substance delivery device 24 provided with one or more additive substance delivery pipes 26 to the beverage preparation device 18, which is ultimately mixed with the water.

[0028] By way of example, the additive substances mixed with the water may be syrups, flavorings, mineral substances (magnesium, calcium, potassium, etc.), dissolved minerals, vitamins, coffee extracts (caffeine or more), extracts, fruit juices, etc. The additive substances may be stored in specific containers, such as "bag-in-box" containers. These containers may be inserted into the additive substance delivery device 24 and removed when empty.

[0029] The beverage preparation device 18 comprises at least one mixing and dispensing nozzle 28 and at least one recess 64, which is formed in the door 16 and defines a seat 66 opening on an outer surface of the door 16 for holding at least one container into which the beverage to be dispensed through the nozzle 28 flows. Each user of the machine 10 can thus place a container (glass, cup, bottle, water bottle, etc.) on the seat 66 of the recess 64 in order to receive the desired beverage. Selection of the type of beverage to be dispensed can be performed by means of a control panel of the machine 10, which is typically located on the outer surface of the door 16 near the recess 64. A payment device for the beverage can be provided on the outer surface of the door 16.

[0030] The water supply device 20 is provided with one or more solenoid valves 50, 52, 54 (FIG. 1) each coupled to a corresponding water delivery pipe 22 to the beverage preparation device 18. According to the invention, the solenoid valves 50, 52, 54 are arranged in a housing chamber in the door compartment of the main casing 12 so as to be quickly and easily accessible when the door 16 is open for the respective adjustment and / or maintenance operations. According to the embodiment described herein, the solenoid valves 50, 52, 54 are arranged in front of at least one or all other devices arranged inside the main casing 12 of the machine 10 so that the solenoid valves 50, 52, 54 are quickly accessible when the door 16 is open, although different configurations may be used.

[0031] As is known, the water supply 20 is provided with at least one water carbonator, i.e., soda maker, as well as at least one water cooling unit 56. These devices are shown in the hydraulic diagram of Figure 4. According to the embodiment described herein, the solenoid valves 50, 52, 54 are located in front of the water cooling unit 56 for easier access, although different configurations may be used.

[0032] As shown, the solenoid valves 50, 52, 54 can be mounted on a single support frame 58 (FIG. 1) located in the housing chamber in the door section of the main casing 12, facing the door 16 when the door 16 is closed. The solenoid valves 50, 52, 54 can also be at least partially covered by corresponding protective covers 60 (FIG. 2). The solenoid valves 50, 52, 54 can further be mounted at a different height with respect to the support surface of the machine 10 than the other solenoid valves, so that a water penstock can be operatively connected by said solenoid valves 50, 52, 54. For the same purpose, the water delivery pipe 22 is provided with respective delivery pipe sections 62 extending from the corresponding solenoid valves 50, 52, 54, which are oriented towards the hinge axis A of the door 16.

[0033] According to further embodiments not shown, more than one support frame may be used with the solenoid valves mounted thereon, or different types of platforms may be used.

[0034] As shown in the hydraulic diagram of Figure 4 and the detailed view of Figure 5, all water delivery pipes 22 and all additive delivery pipes 26 are hydraulically connected to a nozzle 28 designed to mix the water with the additive to obtain a beverage and to deliver the beverage. In particular, the water supply device 20 and the additive delivery device 24 are arranged in a housing chamber and are thus hydraulically connected to the nozzle 28 by the aforementioned water delivery pipes 22 and additive delivery pipes 26. In the illustrated embodiment, the beverage preparation device 18 comprises a single mixing and dispensing nozzle 28, although two or more nozzles may be provided if necessary.

[0035] Advantageously, the nozzles 28 are fixed in the recesses 64 in order to ensure easy access to the apparatus and devices of the machine 10 arranged in the housing chamber when the door 16 is open. It is therefore not necessary to provide specific gaps in the recesses 64 to allow the passage of one or more nozzles, as in known machines for preparing and delivering beverages, in which the nozzles are usually fixed in the main casing of the machine itself.

[0036] 5 and 6, the water delivery pipes 22 and additive delivery pipes 26 are provided with respective pipe ends 30 for connection to respective nozzles 28. The pipe ends 30 may be grouped together to form at least one single-ended bundle that is disposed at the nozzles 28 (as shown). Grouping the pipe ends 30 at a single location, specifically near the nozzles 28, further improves accessibility to the equipment of the machine 10 when the door 16 is open.

[0037] As shown in the embodiment of the machine 10 in the figures, at least some of the pipe ends 30 are provided with one or more flow control devices 32 capable of identifying the passage of a fluid in the pipe ends 30, the flow control devices 32 being electrically connected to the electronic control unit 34 of the machine 10. Such flow control devices 32 can also be provided when the pipe ends 30 are not grouped as described above. When the pipe ends 30 are grouped, these flow control devices 32 can be electrically connected to the electronic control unit 34 of the machine 10 by respective electrical cables 36 integrated in the same half-pipe bundle grouping the pipe ends 30. By way of example, the pipe ends 30 can be configured with a flow meter located close to the nozzle 28 and capable of determining the presence and / or passage of a fluid in each pipe end 30.

[0038] According to one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the flow control device 32 is coupled to a recess 34 to further enhance access to the equipment of the machine 10 when the door 16 is open.

[0039] 5 and 6, the water delivery pipes 22 and the additive delivery pipes 26 are each provided with intermediate pipe sections 38 which are grouped and joined to one another in the area of ​​the main casing 12, close to the hinge axis A of the door 16, specifically in the area of ​​the housing chamber. Even these intermediate pipe sections 38 thus make it possible to form a respective intermediate tube bundle which occupies the smallest possible space inside the main casing 12 or the housing chamber, improving the accessibility of the equipment of the machine 10.

[0040] 5, when the door 16 is open, both the intermediate bundle of the water delivery pipes 22 and the intermediate bundle of the additive delivery pipes 26 exit from an upper corner of the main casing 12 or housing chamber located at the hinge axis A of the door 16 and connect to the nozzle 28. In other words, both the intermediate bundle of the water delivery pipes 22 and the intermediate bundle of the additive delivery pipes 26 are located in the main casing 12, i.e. in the housing chamber, as far away as possible from the door section so as not to obstruct access to the equipment of the machine 10 in any way.

[0041] At least one protective element 48 for preventing the water delivery pipe 22 and the additive delivery pipe 26 from being crushed between the door 16 and the main casing 12 is provided in the housing chamber, in the region of the main casing 12 close to the hinge axis A of the door 16. As shown in Figure 9, this protective element 48 can be made by a metal slat hinged to the main casing 12 at and parallel to said hinge axis A of the door 16.

[0042] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, each nozzle 28 comprises at least two separable components. The first component consists of a collecting element 40 (Figure 7), which projects from the inner surface of the door 16 and is configured to connect with the water delivery pipe 22 and the additive substance delivery pipe 26. The second component consists of a funnel-shaped dispensing element 42, which is arranged downstream of the collecting element 40 and faces a seat 66 in the recess 64. In detail, a lower tapered part of the funnel-shaped dispensing element 42 projects inside the seat 66 formed in the recess 64 and dispenses the drink into a container inserted by each user of the machine 10 into the recess 64 itself.

[0043] The collecting element 40 of each nozzle 28 may be provided with a number of inlet fittings 44 for all of the water delivery pipes 22 and all of the additive delivery pipes 26. These inlet fittings 44 are conveniently formed on one side 46 of the collecting element 40.

[0044] According to one embodiment, this side 46 is spaced from the inner surface of the door 16, e.g., parallel and opposed to the inner surface of the door 16, or inclined with respect to the inner surface of the door 16, to streamline the hydraulic connections between the water delivery pipe 22 and the additive delivery pipe 26 and their respective nozzles 28.

[0045] According to one embodiment, the machine 10 according to the invention can be provided with suitable pumping devices, for example peristaltic pumps, for the water and / or for the additive substances. As shown in Figures 1, 2 and 5, these pumping devices (not numbered) are arranged in the housing chamber of the main casing 12 in the door compartment of the main casing 12 so as to be immediately and easily accessible when the door 16 is open during the respective adjustment and / or maintenance operations.

[0046] The pump device may also be located in front of at least one or all of the other equipment within the main casing 12 of the machine 10 and is readily accessible when the door 16 is open.

[0047] In particular, these pump devices can be located at the top of the housing chamber, which allows the water delivery pipe 22, the additive delivery pipe 26 and the flow control device 32, or parts or associated bundles thereof, to be optimally configured to streamline the connections with the nozzles 28. Furthermore, the pump devices can be mounted at the same height with respect to the support surface of the machine 10, as shown and preferably, or each can be mounted at a different height from the other pump devices.

[0048] As such, these pump devices may be operatively connected to the flow control device 32 or electronic control unit 34 of the machine 10 .

[0049] According to further embodiments, not shown, the pump device can be constructed in a different manner than that described above.

[0050] Thus, the machine for preparing and dispensing beverages according to the invention achieves the aforementioned objectives.

[0051] The machine for preparing and dispensing beverages according to the invention is in any case susceptible to numerous modifications and variations, all within the scope of the same innovative concept, for example the described embodiments can be combined with each other and furthermore all details can be replaced by technically equivalent elements, in practice the materials used as well as the shapes and dimensions can be any according to the technical requirements. [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 10 Machines 12 Machine main casing 14 Main casing sidewall 16 Doors 18 Beverage preparation equipment 20 Water supply equipment 22 Water Delivery Pipe 24 Additive feeding device 26 Additive delivery pipe 28 Mixing and dispensing nozzles 30 Pipe end for connecting to the nozzle 32 Flow Control Devices 34 Machine Electronic Control Unit 36 Electrical Cable 38 Pipe middle section 40 Nozzle collection elements 42 Nozzle distribution element 44 Collection element inlet fitting 46 One side of collection element 48 Pipe Protection Elements 50 Solenoid valve 52 Solenoid valve 54 Solenoid valve 56 Water Cooling Unit 58 Single support frame for solenoid valve 60 Solenoid valve protective cover 62 Delivery pipe section from solenoid valve 64 Recess 66 Recessed seat A Door hinge axis

Claims

1. A machine (10) for preparing and dispensing beverages, comprising: a main casing (12) capable of defining housing chambers for a number of devices of said machine (10) and provided with at least one opening defining a door compartment to said housing chambers; at least one door (16) provided with an outer surface and an inner surface directed towards the housing chamber, the at least one door (16) being hinged to the main casing (12) at a hinge axis (A) and configured to close the door compartment in an operational configuration of the machine (10); At least one beverage preparation device (18) designed for preparing and dispensing a beverage; at least one water supply device (20) provided with one or more water delivery pipes (22) to said beverage preparation device (18) and one or more solenoid valves (50, 52, 54) respectively coupled to the corresponding water delivery pipes; at least one additive delivery device (24) provided with one or more additive delivery pipes (26) to said beverage preparation device (18); The beverage preparation device (18) comprises: At least one mixing and dispensing nozzle (28); at least one recess (64) formed in said door (16) and defining a seat (66), said seat (66) opening onto said exterior surface of said door (16) for holding at least one container into which the beverage to be dispensed through said nozzle (28) flows; A machine (10) comprising:

1. The machine (10), characterized in that the solenoid valves (50, 52, 54) are arranged in the housing chamber at the door section of the main casing (12) so as to be immediately and easily accessible when the door (16) is open during respective adjustment and / or maintenance operations.

2. The machine (10) of claim 1, wherein the solenoid valve (50, 52, 54) is disposed before one or more devices of the machine (10) disposed within the housing chamber.

3. 3. The machine (10) of claim 1 or 2, wherein the water supply device (20) is provided with at least one water cooling unit (56), and the solenoid valve (50, 52, 54) is arranged before the water cooling unit (56).

4. 4. The machine (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the solenoid valves (50, 52, 54) are mounted on a single support frame (58) located in the housing chamber at the door section of the main casing (12) so as to face the door (16) when the door (16) is closed.

5. The machine (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said solenoid valves (50, 52, 54) are at least partially covered by corresponding protective covers (60).

6. The machine (10) of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein each of the solenoid valves (50, 52, 54) is mounted at a different height relative to a support surface of the machine (10) than the other solenoid valves.

7. The machine (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the water delivery pipe (22) is provided with respective delivery pipe sections (62) extending from corresponding solenoid valves (50, 52, 54), the delivery pipe sections (62) being oriented towards the hinge axis (A) of the door (16).

8. The machine (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the water supply device (20) and the additive substance delivery device (24) are arranged in the housing chamber, all the water delivery pipes (22) and all the additive substance delivery pipes (26) are hydraulically connected to the nozzle (28), the nozzle (28) being designed to mix water with the additive substance to obtain a beverage and to deliver the beverage, and the nozzle (28) is fixed in the recess (64) to ensure easy access to the devices of the machine (10) arranged in the housing chamber when the door (16) is open.

9. 9. The machine (10) of claim 8, wherein the water delivery pipe (22) and the additive delivery pipe (26) are provided with respective pipe ends (30) for connection to the nozzle (28), the pipe ends (30) being grouped together to form at least one one-sided bundle arranged at the nozzle (28).

10. 10. The machine (10) of claim 8 or 9, wherein the water delivery pipe (22) and the additive delivery pipe (26) are provided with respective pipe ends (30) for connection to the nozzles (28), at least some of the pipe ends (30) being provided with one or more flow control devices (32) capable of identifying the passage of a fluid through the pipe ends (30), the flow control devices (32) being electrically connected to an electronic control unit (34) of the machine (10).

11. 11. The machine (10) of claim 9 or 10, wherein the flow control devices (32) are electrically connected to an electronic control unit (34) of the machine (10) by respective electrical cables (36) integrated into the one-sided tube bundle.

12. The machine (10) according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the water delivery pipes (22) and the additive delivery pipes (26) are each provided with intermediate pipe sections (38) which are grouped and joined to one another in an area of ​​the housing chamber close to the hinge axis (A) of the door (16) so as to form respective intermediate tube bundles occupying the smallest possible space inside the housing chamber and improving access to the equipment of the machine (10).

13. 13. The machine (10) of claim 12, wherein when the door (16) is open, both the intermediate bundle of the water delivery pipe (22) and the intermediate bundle of the additive delivery pipe (26) exit from an upper corner of the housing chamber located on the hinge axis (A) of the door (16) and connect to the nozzle (28).

14. 14. The machine (10) according to any one of claims 8 to 13, wherein at least one protection element (48) for preventing the water delivery pipe (22) and the additive delivery pipe (26) from being crushed between the door (16) and the main casing (12) is provided in the housing chamber, in the region of the housing chamber close to the hinge axis (A) of the door (16).

15. 15. The machine (10) according to any one of claims 8 to 14, wherein the nozzle (28) comprises at least two separable components, a first component consisting of a collecting element (40) protruding from the inner surface of the door (16) and configured to connect with the water delivery pipes (22) and the additive substance delivery pipes (26), and a second component consisting of a funnel-shaped distribution element (42) arranged downstream of the collecting element (40) and facing the seat (66), the collecting element (40) being provided with a number of inlet fittings (44) for all the water delivery pipes (22) and all the additive substance delivery pipes (26), the inlet fittings (44) being formed on one side (46) of the collecting element (40).

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