beverage dispenser

Abstract

The present invention relates to a beverage dispenser comprising: a coffee machine for producing hot coffee and hot coffee with milk, the coffee machine comprising a milk tank that can be refilled with cold milk; a refrigerator comprising a cooling compartment and a freezing compartment; and a coffee cooler for cooling the hot coffee produced by the coffee machine, the coffee cooler comprising a container for holding coffee dispensed from the coffee machine and a wall of the container comprising a circulation path for a cooling fluid, wherein the freezing compartment of the refrigerator comprises a cooling fluid container for containing the cooling fluid, and the beverage dispenser comprises an external cooling fluid circuit that is configured to circulate the cooling fluid between the cooling fluid container and the circulation path of the coffee cooler.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the preparation of cold coffee and cold beverages. [Background technology]

[0002] There are numerous solutions for preparing cold coffee from extracted hot coffee. Most of the solutions propose to cool the hot coffee in the path from the coffee preparation unit to the dispensing area and the drinking cup. This dispensing path can be placed in contact with a heat exchanger supplied with a cooling fluid exhibiting a low temperature.

[0003] If the temperature of the cooling fluid is not low enough, this heat exchange will not reduce the temperature of the hot coffee being dispensed sufficiently, and the dispensed coffee will not reach a temperature that is actually perceived as cold. This is usually compensated for by adding ice to dilute the coffee.

[0004] A very cold cooling fluid (exhibiting a temperature significantly lower than 0°C) allows for faster heat exchange, but this solution requires the coffee machine to incorporate a cold generation unit. Typically, a cold generation unit comprises a refrigeration circuit with a refrigerant circulating therein to generate cold, a compressor for treating the refrigerant, a condenser, expansion means (expansion valve or capillary tube), and an evaporator. These devices add significantly to the costs of the coffee machine, and it is rarely practiced to use a cold generation unit solely for the heat exchanger of the hot coffee dispense line.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to address the above-mentioned existing problems. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The object of the present invention is achieved by a beverage dispenser according to claims 1-8.

[0007] Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described further, by way of example, with reference to the following drawings, in which: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a beverage dispenser according to the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic diagram of a coffee cooler. [Figure 3A] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the cooling fluid container 4. [Figure 3B] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the cooling fluid container 4. [Figure 3C] 1 is a schematic diagram of the cooling fluid reservoir 4, the internal cooling fluid circuit and the cold generation unit. [Figure 3D] FIG. 3C is a cross-sectional view taken along plane AA of FIG. 3B. [Figure 3E] FIG. 3C is a cross-sectional view taken along plane BB of FIG. 3B. [Figure 4] 1 shows different architectures of a beverage dispenser according to the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Figure 1 shows a beverage dispenser 100 according to the present invention. The dispenser is an assembly of different fluidly connected sub-units.

[0010] The first sub-unit is a coffee machine 1. The coffee machine is configured to produce hot coffee. Preferably, the hot coffee is prepared by extracting hot roast and ground coffee with hot water in a brewing unit 11. The machine may comprise a refillable coffee bean container 15 and a grinder (not shown) for supplying a batch of roast and ground coffee to the brewing unit.

[0011] Alternatively, the coffee machine may prepare hot coffee from coffee capsules, the brewing unit being a capsule cage configured to open the capsule and extract the coffee therefrom.

[0012] In a second embodiment, the coffee can be prepared from soluble coffee and the coffee machine comprises a mixing chamber for mixing a dose of soluble coffee with hot water.

[0013] The prepared coffee is dispensed into a cup 5 at the dispensing area of ​​the dispenser.

[0014] The coffee machine is configured to allow the addition of fresh milk to the prepared coffee. The coffee machine therefore comprises a fresh milk tank 12 and means for dispensing a portion of milk into a cup 5a in the dispensing area. This milk can be frothed during dispensing. This milk tank is configured to contain a quantity of milk throughout the day and is preferably insulated for this reason. It can be refilled with cold fresh milk.

[0015] The second subunit of the beverage dispenser is the refrigerator 2. This refrigerator comprises a cooling compartment 21 which allows the accommodation of a large number of fresh milk bottles. Thus, the milk tank 12 of the coffee machine can always be refilled with milk at an appropriately low temperature.

[0016] The temperature of the cooling room is above 0°C, usually between 5 and 10°C.

[0017] In addition, the refrigerator comprises a freezer compartment 2 whose temperature is below 0°C, preferably below -15°C.

[0018] The third sub-unit of the beverage dispenser is the coffee cooler 3 .

[0019] The device is configured to cool hot coffee produced by a coffee machine. The coffee machine therefore comprises a coffee outlet for dispensing the prepared hot coffee from the brewing unit 11 into a cup 5a arranged below the brewing unit 11 into a coffee cooler. The coffee cooler comprises a container 31 for receiving and holding the hot coffee dispensed from the coffee machine. The wall 31 of the container comprises a circulation path 32 for a cooling fluid. As a result, the cooling device allows the hot coffee to be cooled by heat exchange with the cooling fluid via contact along the wall of the container.

[0020] Figure 2 shows one possible embodiment of a coffee cooler, which comprises a liquid mixing means, such as the illustrated whipper 33, operated by a motor 34, to allow circulation of the coffee within the container and improve heat exchange along the container wall 311.

[0021] A pinch valve 35 at the dispense outlet 36 of the container allows the coffee to remain in the container longer until it reaches the desired low temperature.

[0022] The container has a double-wall construction so that a cooling fluid can circulate inside the walls and exchange heat with the hot coffee being stirred inside the container. The cooling fluid is provided through an external cooling fluid circuit 41 connected to a source of cooling fluid. The source of cooling fluid is a cooling fluid container 4 that is part of the circuit. Circulation within this circuit 41 is enabled by a pump 44. This cooling fluid container 4 provides a substantial amount of cooling fluid to allow cooling of the continuously extracted coffee, thereby ensuring a high throughput of cold coffee.

[0023] In the beverage dispenser, the chilled fluid container 4 is located inside the freezer compartment 22 of the refrigerator. Thus, the refrigerator's cold generating unit can be used to chill the milk bottles and simultaneously chill the coffee chiller's chilled fluid. An additional cold generating unit dedicated to the coffee chiller subunit is not required.

[0024] The use of the refrigerator's cold generating unit is shared between the different units of the beverage dispenser, optimizing costs.

[0025] The reservoir of cooling fluid provides a substantial amount of cooling fluid at a low temperature, allowing for rapid cooling of hot coffee, or for the sequential cooling of several hot coffees, or for the simultaneous cooling of several coffees.

[0026] Preferably, the different subunits 1, 2, 3 are housed in housings 61, 62.

[0027] Figure 3A shows an isolated view of a particular embodiment of a cooling fluid container 4. The container comprises several walls 40 that define the container's interior volume. Several inlets 43, 72 and outlets 42, 73 are provided in one wall or arranged in different walls, depending on the container specifications and the beverage dispenser architecture. One wall is traversed by a rotating shaft 451. As shown in Figure 3B, where the walls are transparent, this shaft 451 cooperates with two agitators 45a, 45b designed to agitate the cooling fluid in the container.

[0028] Two of the inlets and outlets are connected to the coffee cooler's external refrigeration fluid circuit 41. One is a refrigerator external outlet 42 which supplies cold refrigeration fluid to the external refrigeration fluid circuit 41 and the coffee cooler 3, and the other is a refrigerator external inlet 43 through which heated refrigeration fluid flows back to the container 4.

[0029] When the container 4 is placed in the freezer compartment, an opening is provided in the refrigerator housing.

[0030] The other two inlets and outlets are connected to an internal cooling fluid circuit 7, shown schematically in Figure 3C. This internal cooling fluid circuit is configured to circulate cooling fluid between cooling fluid container 4 and heat exchanger 8, reducing the temperature of the cooling fluid. The cooling fluid is pumped by pump 73 from internal refrigerator outlet 71 to heat exchanger 8, and the cooler fluid then circulates back to the container through internal refrigerator inlet 72.

[0031] The heat exchanger 8 is configured to exchange heat between a cooling fluid and a refrigerant of a cold-generation unit 23 of the refrigerator. As is well known, the cold-generation unit 23 of the refrigerator comprises a refrigeration circuit 231 having a refrigerant circulating therein and comprising at least compressor 232, condenser 233, An expansion means 234 is provided.

[0032] 3D is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 3B along plane AA, revealing that the container 4 includes a first internal flow passage 48a for controlling the path of the low temperature refrigerant fluid flowing from the internal refrigeration fluid circuit 7 and returning to the refrigerator internal inlet 72.

[0033] Similarly, Figure 3E is a cross-sectional view of Figure 3B through plane BB. It can be seen that the container 4 comprises a second internal flow path 48b for controlling the path of the cooling fluid flowing from the external circuit 41 to the coffee cooler 3 and out through the refrigerator external outlet 42.

[0034] These two flow paths 48a, 48b are arranged alongside one another within the cooling vessel to optimize heat exchange between these two fluids, which exhibit a large temperature gradient.

[0035] The ends 481a, 481b of both channels are in a common free internal volume of the vessel, within which the cooling fluids flowing from the different circuits are equalized. The agitator is responsible for equalizing the temperature of the cooling fluid within the vessel.

[0036] Preferably, the cooling fluid is propylene glycol. Such a fluid can reach a temperature of -25°C and can rapidly cool the hot coffee through the walls of the hot coffee cooler.

[0037] Because the viscosity of such fluids can change with temperature, it is preferable to use a containment vessel that includes an agitator and internal flow channels to facilitate equalization of the fluid's temperature.

[0038] FIG. 4 shows a different architecture of a beverage dispenser according to the invention, where the refrigerator and coffee machine are located in the same housing, with the coffee cooler located on top.

[0039] While the invention has been described with reference to the above illustrated embodiments, it will be understood that the invention as claimed is in no way limited to these illustrated embodiments.

[0040] Variations and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims. Furthermore, where known equivalents exist for specific features, such equivalents are incorporated as if specifically referred to herein.

[0041] As used herein, the terms "comprises," "comprising," and similar terms should not be construed in an exclusive or exhaustive sense. In other words, they are intended to mean "including, but not limited to." [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 100 Beverage Dispensers 1 coffee machine 11 Coffee preparation unit 12 Milk Tank 13a, 13b Outlets for pouring into cups 14 Connection to coffee cooler 15 Coffee Bean Hopper 2. Refrigerator 21 Cooling room 22 Freezer 23 Low-temperature generation unit 231 Refrigeration Circuit 232 Compressor 233 Condenser 234 Expansion means 3 Coffee Coolers 31 Container 311 Wall 32 Circulation Route 33 Whipper 34 Motor 35 Pinch valve 36 Pour outlet 4 Cooling fluid container 41 External circuit 42 Refrigerator external outlet 43 Refrigerator exterior entrance 44 Pump 45a, 45b Stirrer 46 Shaft 48a, 48b Internal flow path 481a, 481b Flow path outlet 5a, 5b cup 61, 62 Housing 7 Internal cooling fluid circuit 71 Refrigerator internal exit 72 Refrigerator interior entrance 73 Pump 8 Heat exchanger

Claims

1. A beverage dispenser (100), comprising: A coffee machine (1) for producing hot coffee and hot coffee with milk, the coffee machine (1) comprising a milk tank (12) which can be refilled with milk, preferably cold milk; A refrigerator (2), a cooling chamber (21) for storing and cooling the milk containers at a temperature above 0°C, typically between 5 and 10°C; a freezer (22) capable of maintaining a temperature below 0°C, preferably below -15°C; a refrigerator (2) comprising: a coffee cooler (3) for cooling hot coffee produced by said coffee machine, said coffee cooler (3) comprising a container (31) for holding coffee dispensed from said coffee machine, said container wall (311) comprising a circulation path (32) for a cooling fluid; Equipped with the freezer compartment (22) of the refrigerator is provided with a cooling fluid container (4) for containing and cooling the cooling fluid; The beverage dispenser comprises an external cooling fluid circuit (41), the external cooling fluid circuit being configured to circulate the cooling fluid between the cooling fluid container and the circulation path of the coffee cooler. Beverage dispenser.

2. 2. The beverage dispenser of claim 1, wherein the container (4) for containing and cooling the cooling fluid comprises an external refrigerator inlet (43) and an external refrigerator outlet (42) for the cooling fluid, and the cooling fluid circuit comprises a pump (44) for circulating the cooling fluid from the outlet to the circulation path (32) of the coffee cooler and back to the inlet of the container.

3. 3. The beverage dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the cooling liquid is propylene glycol.

4. The beverage dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the container (4) for containing and cooling the cooling fluid is provided with an agitator (45a, 45b).

5. The refrigerator comprises at least one cold generation unit (23), the cold generation unit comprising a refrigeration circuit (231), the refrigeration circuit (231) having a refrigerant circulating therein, a compressor (232), a condenser (233), and expansion means (234) for treating the refrigerant; The beverage dispenser of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the beverage dispenser comprises an internal cooling fluid circuit (7), the internal cooling fluid circuit being configured to circulate the cooling fluid between the cooling fluid container (4) and a heat exchanger (8), the heat exchanger exchanging heat between the cooling fluid and the refrigerant of the cold generation unit (23) of the refrigerator.

6. 6. The beverage dispenser of claim 5, wherein the container (4) for containing and cooling the cooling fluid comprises a refrigerator interior inlet (72) and a refrigerator interior outlet (73) for the cooling fluid, and the internal cooling fluid circuit comprises a pump (73) for circulating the cooling fluid from the refrigerator outlet to the heat exchanger (8) of the freezer section and back to the refrigerator interior inlet (72) of the container.

7. A beverage dispenser as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the container for containing and cooling the cooling fluid comprises internal flow paths (48), the flow paths being configured to control the circulation of different flows of cooling fluid into and / or out of the container.

8. A beverage dispenser as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the container for containing and cooling the cooling fluid comprises an internal heat exchanger (48), the internal heat exchanger (48) being configured to exchange heat between the cooling fluid entering the container from the internal cooling fluid circuit and the cooling fluid exiting the container to the external cooling fluid circuit.

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