Method and device for cooling beverages in a continuous flow, and coffee machine

Abstract

In a method for cooling beverages in a continuous flow, preferably in a coffee machine, a device (10) is provided having a cold air-generating element and a heat exchanger (35) operably connected to the cold air-generating element. The cooling of each beverage in a continuous flow is performed by the heat exchanger (35). A heat storage device (20) having a heat storage medium (21) for absorbing cold air is integrated into the device (10), the heat storage medium (21) being guided from the heat storage device to the cold air-generating element (15) for cooling purposes and then returned to the heat storage device (20), and the heat storage medium (21) being guided to the heat exchanger (35) for distributing the cold air and then returned to the heat storage device (20). In the process, the beverage is transported in a cooled state from the supply source (30) through the heat exchanger (35) to a processing unit or outlet (38). This method allows individual portions of beverage to be cooled simply, fairly quickly, and efficiently, thus saving energy.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for cooling a beverage in a continuous flow, in which the device comprises a cold air generating element and a heat exchanger operatively connected to the cold air generating element. The cooling of the beverage in a continuous flow is performed by a heat exchanger according to the preamble of claim 1, a device according to claim 5 and a coffee machine according to claim 15. [Background technology]

[0002] Publication EP 2833091 A1 discloses a milk cooling device for use in or with a beverage producing machine, in particular a coffee machine, which comprises a refrigerator with a cooling chamber into which a portion of milk to be cooled can be poured. A flow-through cooling arrangement is provided with a flow-through cooling element, which is designed to cool a volume of liquid passing through the element, by which a portion of milk from a milk portion can be removed and returned to the milk portion through the flow-through cooling element. The flow-through cooling element is configured to cool the flow-through cooling element via the refrigerator. The flow-through cooling element comprises a cooling unit, preferably made of metal, and at least one pipe, preferably laid in a serpentine pattern through the cooling unit, which is used to pass a portion of the milk portion through the cooling unit. This milk cooling device has a complex design and is impractical in terms of the periodic cleaning required for the housing and the pipes or hoses within the housing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] EP2833091A1 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present invention is based on the task of improving a method involving a device, in particular for coffee machines, that allows the beverage to be produced to be cooled efficiently from room temperature or, in the case of a heated state, to a set temperature below room temperature, preferably down to 0°C. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] According to the invention, this task is solved by the features of claims 1 and 5.

[0006] In the method according to the invention, a heat storage device with a heat storage medium for absorbing cold air is integrated into the device, the heat storage device being connected by pipes on the one hand to the cold air generating element and on the other hand to a heat exchanger, the heat storage medium being used for cooling from the heat storage to the cold air generating element and also for outputting cold air to the heat exchanger and back to the heat storage device. The beverage can be transported from the supply source through the heat exchanger in a cooled state to the processing unit or directly to the outlet.

[0007] This process easily achieves extremely rapid and efficient cooling of individual portions of beverage, and this targeted cooling can save energy.

[0008] The advantage is that the heat exchanger of the device specifically cools the beverage to a specific temperature before it passes through the heat exchanger, and then passes the beverage from the source through the heat exchanger and is transported to a processing unit or outlet.

[0009] The invention provides that the heat storage device, designed as a layered tank, has a heat storage capacity for the heat storage medium and allows a certain number of portions of beverages in the heat exchanger to be cooled to a target value without the need to refill the heat storage device.

[0010] In a highly advantageous variant, the heat storage device is designed as a container-shaped layered tank, in which the liquid heat storage medium can be divided into a cold lower layer and a warm upper layer, and a separating layer can divide between the cold lower layer and the warm upper layer. Such a separation of the heat storage medium ensures that the required cold air output is optimized and secured at a specific target temperature.

[0011] Once the cold layer has been discharged and visibly reduced to a minimum, the hot layer is cooled from the top of the heat storage device by a heat exchanger in the cold air generating element and then fed to the bottom of the heat storage medium until it is filled with the cold layer, which means that the heat storage device can be used for a certain period of time without refilling, thus contributing to efficient cooling of the beverage.

[0012] Advantageously, the lower and upper parts of the heat storage device each comprise at least one opening, the heat storage device being first connected to the cold-generating element via a pipe from one opening to the other opening and also connected by a pipe to the heat exchanger, in each case returning through a pipe to the respective other opening, a controllable pump being housed in each of the pipes, thereby allowing a simple fluid connection of the heat storage medium to cool it or to provide cold air.

[0013] The invention and further advantages thereof will be explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a flow diagram of a device according to the invention for cooling beverages in a continuous flow; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the heat exchanger of the device according to FIG. 1. [Figure 3] 2 is a longitudinal section through a perspective view of a heat storage device on the device according to FIG. 1; FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is a longitudinal section through a perspective view of the upper connecting piece of the heat storage device according to FIG. 3; FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] 1 shows a schematic representation of a device 10 for continuous cooling of beverages, preferably integrated into a coffee machine or beverage dispenser (not shown in more detail) in which a variety of different beverages can be dispensed, preferably coffee, milk, tea, chocolate and flavoured mixed drinks, with espresso, regular coffee, cappuccino and even latte macchiato being options for coffee. Other types of milk, such as coconut milk or milk made from powdered milk and water, are also suitable as milk drinks.

[0016] For example, the device 10, which is integrated into a coffee machine not shown in more detail, comprises a cold air generating element 15, a source 30 containing the beverages, a heat exchanger 35 leading from the source 30 so as to provide continuous cooling of the respective beverage, a line 36 leading to the heat exchanger 35 and having a pump 39, a tube 37 leading from the heat exchanger 35 to an outlet 38, a cup 31 which can be placed at the outlet 38, etc.

[0017] As can be expected, this arrangement can be designed in various ways depending on the situation. For example, a milk container or several containers can be provided as source 30 as shown, which can be selectively sucked by a pump 39 via a control system. A mixing device consisting, at a minimum, of one tank, one bottle, powdered milk and water, etc. can also be provided as source 30. Pump 39 can also be arranged in pipe 37. In principle, two pipes with one pump each from one source can also be fed to the outlet, each through a heat exchanger. The processing unit can be provided, for example, as a milk frother, mixer, etc.

[0018] In the method according to the invention, a heat storage device 20 containing a heat storage medium 21 for storing cold is integrated into the device 10 comprising the heat storage device 20, which may firstly be connected via pipes 27, 28 to the cold-generating element 15 and also via pipes 23, 25 to a heat exchanger 35, so that this heat storage medium 21 can be transferred from the heat storage device 20 to the cold-generating element 15 for cooling, and to the heat exchanger 35 for outputting cold air, and in each case back again to this heat storage device 20.

[0019] For this purpose, the upper and lower parts of the heat storage device 20 are provided with openings 22', 26', respectively. To cool the heat storage medium 21, one pipe 27 with pump 29 runs from the upper opening 26' to the cold-air generating element 15 and from there back to the heat storage device 20 through pipe 28 and the lower opening 22'. For heat transfer, one pipe 23 with pump 24 runs from the lower opening 22' to the heat exchanger 35 and from this heat exchanger 35 back through pipe 25 to the upper opening 26' of the heat storage device 20, so that the heat storage medium is transported from the lower opening via the heat exchanger to the upper opening.

[0020] During operation of the device 10, the uncooled heat storage medium 21' is first fed from a controllable pump 29 to the evaporator 16 of the cold-generating element 15, which is designed as a compression refrigeration system, and is returned to the heat storage device 20 through the pipe 28 and the opening 22'. This transport of heat storage medium from the upper opening 26' can be maintained until the entire heat storage medium 21 in the heat storage device has cooled to a temperature, ideally around 0°C or even below 0°C, but which is certainly above the freezing point.

[0021] For this purpose, a thermometer 18 may be installed after the opening 26' in the tube 27, via which the temperature is determined as soon as the heat storage medium that has passed through has completely cooled and is flowing through the tube 27, and then the pump 29 is switched off. This refilling of the heat storage device 20 can ideally be carried out and programmed before the coffee machine is used with the device 10, such as early in the morning or during an expected break. In any case, such a refilling must be carried out at an interval before the cold layer is used up.

[0022] As shown herein, the thermal storage device 20 is ideally designed as a container-shaped layered tank in which the liquid thermal storage medium 21 can be divided into a cold lower layer and a warm upper layer 21', with a separating layer 21'' provided at the transition between the cold and warm layers. This separation allows the thermal storage medium 21 to be transported in a specified cooling state from a lower opening 22' to a heat exchanger.

[0023] The actual function of cooling the beverage conveyed from the container 30 through the pump 39 and the heat exchanger 35 can begin as soon as this cold layer is formed in the thermal storage device 20. Ideally, the heat exchanger 35 is cooled by a specific quantity of flow of the thermal storage medium 21 from the thermal storage device before the beverage passes through, so that the beverage is sufficiently cooled after one pass through the heat exchanger 35. This can be controlled via temperature measurement. The thermal storage medium 21 is fed from an opening 22' in the underside of the thermal storage device 20 via the pump 24 through the pipe 23 and the heat exchanger 35, and then returned to the opening 26', leading to the warm layer in the thermal storage device 20. This circulation of the thermal storage medium 21 also takes place when the beverage is pumped through the heat exchanger 35, usually in multiple portions. In theory, the thermal storage medium 21 could be pumped only before or during the beverage flow. In an advantageous variant, the temperatures of the beverage and the thermal storage medium are measured after passing through the heat exchanger, and a target temperature is set by a control process.

[0024] The pumps 24, 39 conveying the thermal storage medium 21 and / or beverage are controlled at a speed such that the flow rate of the respective thermal storage medium 21 and / or beverage through the pipes is in the laminar flow range at least in the heat exchanger 35. This speed achieves more efficient heat transfer.

[0025] According to Fig. 1, the cold-generating element 15 is a compression refrigeration system with mechanical or electrical drive, in which a compressor 13, a downstream condenser 12, an expansion valve 14 and a cold-air releasing evaporator 16 are combined in a refrigeration circuit. As can be expected, this system can also be designed differently. With regard to the method according to the invention, the main function of the cold-generating element 15 is that the heat storage medium 21 can take the required cold air from the evaporator 16.

[0026] 2 shows a heat exchanger 35, which is composed of an upper end plate 32 and a lower end plate 33, several frame elements 41, 42 with inner longitudinal passages 41', 42', and a sealing plate 43, which is inserted between the several frame elements 41, 42 and has transverse openings 44, 45 connecting the lateral flows. The frame elements and the sealing plate are shown at a distance from each other in the exploded view, but are pressed against each other when assembled.

[0027] Thus, the frame elements 41 through which the beverage passes, the sealing plates 41, the frame elements 42 through which the heat storage medium passes and the sealing plates 41 are arranged in contact with one another in a repeating configuration, in this case the heat exchanger 35 is assigned several frame elements 41, 42 arranged in a row and sealing plates 43 between the frame elements 41, 42, so that after one pass through the heat exchanger the passed beverage reaches a target temperature of, for example, approximately 0°C.

[0028] In a preferred variant, the upper end plate 32 is provided with sleeve-shaped protruding connection plugs 23′, 25′ or 36′, 37′ for connecting the tubes 23, 25 or 36, 37, through which the heat storage medium 21 and beverage are supplied to or removed from the heat exchanger 35. The connection plugs 23′, 25′ for the heat storage medium correspond to the longitudinal passages 42′ formed in the frame element 42 and to the flow openings 46, 47 connecting the longitudinal passages 42′ in the sealing plate 43, while the connection plugs 36′, 37′ for the beverage correspond to the longitudinal passages 41′ formed in the frame element 41 and to the flow openings 44, 45 connecting the longitudinal passages 41′.

[0029] As shown by the arrows in Figure 2, the thermal storage medium 21 flows from the first outer surface 32' of the end plate 32 through the heat exchanger 35, is conveyed over the second outer surface 32'', returns over the second outer surface 32'' and enters the thermal storage device 20, while the beverage flows in the opposite direction from the second outer surface 32'' through the heat exchanger over the first outer surface 32'', and exits over the first outer surface 32'' directly to the outlet 38 of the device 10. The counter-flow of the thermal storage medium to the beverage in the heat exchanger 35 results in better heat transfer than if the thermal storage medium and beverage flowed in the same direction.

[0030] 3 shows a heat storage device 20, which is designed as a layered tank and is composed of a cylindrical container 20' having an upper cover 48 and a lower cover 49, perforated inner walls 51, 53 arranged at a certain distance from the upper cover 48 and the lower cover 49, and connecting pieces 22, 26 with openings 22', 26' protruding through the upper cover 48 and the lower cover 49. The outwardly angled connecting pieces 22, 26 are ideally arranged in the center of the covers 48, 49. These perforated inner walls 51, 53 are fixed parallel to the covers 48, 49 in the container 20', respectively, and chambers 54, 55 are formed between the covers 48, 49. The heat storage device is equipped with insulated walls to minimize cooling losses.

[0031] 4 shows the upper connecting piece 26, which is ideally placed in the center of the cover 49 and angled towards the outside of the container 20', with a pipe connection 26'' attached to its end. However, the upper connecting piece 26 may also be straight, without being angled. Inside, it is provided with a mushroom-shaped guide sleeve 56 that protrudes into the container 20', through which its central opening 26' is guided in the opposite direction, through an outwardly rounded flow opening 57, upwards into the chamber 55. The lower connecting piece 22 has the same design as the upper connecting piece, but is installed upside down at the base of the heat storage device.

[0032] The heat storage medium 21 is fed from the warm layer for filling via the chamber 55, the guide sleeve 56 of the connection piece 26 and the pipe 27 connecting the connection piece 26 to the evaporator 16, then fed through the pipe 28 and the lower connection piece 22 and returned to the container 20'. The heat storage medium 21, now cooled to the target temperature, is conveyed through the guide sleeve 52 into the chamber 54 and from the chamber 54 through the perforated inner wall 51 into the container 20', forming the cold layer. The aim is to cool the heat storage medium 21 while it passes through the cold air generating elements 15, so that the heat storage medium 21 is cooled to about 0°C or below 0°C, but this temperature is above its freezing point after passing through the cold air generating elements 15.

[0033] This design of the connection pieces 22, 26 with special inlet and outlet geometries in the thermal storage device 20 provides flow optimized conditions for perfect functioning of the thermal storage device with respect to the cold and warm layers.

[0034] In this operating state, the liquid heat storage medium 21 is, as already mentioned, divided in the heat storage device 20 into this lower cold layer, a separating layer 21" and an upper warm layer 21'. In an advantageous variant, the heat storage device 20 is dimensioned with respect to the heat storage capacity of the heat storage medium so that a number of beverage portions can be cooled to a target value in the heat exchanger 35. As explained above, once the cold layer is discharged and appreciably reduced to a minimum, the heat storage medium of the warm layer 21' is cooled from the upper opening 26' of the heat storage device 20 by a heat exchanger designed as an evaporator 16 in the cold-generating element 15 and is supplied to the heat storage device 20 through the lower opening 22' until the heat storage device 20 is filled with the cold layer. The heat storage medium 21 can preferably be water to which an antifreeze agent such as ethanol has been added, or alternatively another medium with good thermal conductivity, etc.

[0035] The control of the device 10 for passing the thermal storage medium through the cold air generating element or heat exchanger and the beverage will not be described in detail but is used to achieve the above functions. In particular, the chilled temperature of the beverage passing through the outlet 38 must be maintained. The pumps 24, 29, 39 used may have adjustable pumping power to achieve the desired chill or target temperature of the thermal storage medium and the beverage.

[0036] The present invention is fully described by the above examples, but the present invention can certainly be described by further variations.

[0037] For example, the cold-generating element may be a Peltier refrigeration system or an existing cooling compartment in a coffee machine. As explained below, the waste heat generated by the cold-generating element may also be used, for example, to heat the water and / or milk used.

[0038] The heat storage device may differ from the variants shown, for example, it may be provided with two or more connecting pieces at the top and bottom, each individually assigned to a different flow, and furthermore, the connecting piece with the guide sleeve may be designed as a simple sleeve.

[0039] Additionally, other thermal energy storage systems, such as sensible or latent heat storage, may be used in place of the layered tank.

[0040] The heat storage device may also consist of several containers fluidly connected to each other, or in the case of a first, unfilled container, the heat storage medium is passed to the cold-air generating element for cooling and returned to this container, while in the case of a second, filled container, the heat storage medium is passed to a heat exchanger for cooling and in each case returned to this container. In this case, while the first container is filled with cold heat storage medium, the second container is replaced as soon as it is nearly empty. This ensures that one container is always filled with cooled heat storage medium. In this case, the containers may be individually connected to the heat exchanger via pipes 23, 25 or to the cold-air generating element via pipes 27, 28, and again the heat storage medium may be returned using controllable valves.

[0041] The heat exchanger can also be configured with standard coils etc., not shown in detail. The heat exchanger can also consist of several units connected in series. There can also be only one pump, which pumps the heat storage medium with a corresponding valve.

[0042] The coffee machine or beverage dispenser, not shown in detail, comprises at least one heat generating device, such as a hot water container for brewing coffee or dispensing tea, a boiler for generating steam to produce hot milk or frothed milk, and at least one cooling device, such as a refrigerator or ice making device.

[0043] At least one heat pump is integrated into the coffee machine as part of the invention, said heat pump being operatively connected to at least one heat generator directly or via a heat accumulator and to at least one cooling unit directly or via a cold accumulator, so that heat is transferred by a condenser of the heat pump to the heat accumulator or directly to the at least one heat generator, or cooling is provided by the cold accumulator or at least one cooling device, in order to provide the required thermal energy.

[0044] Advantageously, at least one medium is fed from the respective heat or heat generator or from the respective cold generator or cooling unit to a condenser or evaporator of the heat pump and is heated or cooled by a heat exchanger in the heat pump, the medium being fed through one pipe to the heat pump and back to the heat generator, or directly to the heat generator or cold generator, or directly to the cooling unit, respectively.

[0045] Ideally, each heat storage and / or heat generating unit is assigned an additional heater, or each cold storage and / or cooling unit is assigned an additional cooler, via which additional heating or cooling energy can be supplied to the end user, which may be necessary in particular to heat a boiler or a water tank when the coffee machine is operating at maximum power or during daily start-up.

[0046] In the device 10 having the heat storage device 20 as a cold store, at least one cooling unit is formed by this heat exchanger 35, through which the beverage is taken from the supply 30 via the heat exchanger 35 and conveyed in a cooled state to a processing unit or outlet 38. As explained in detail above, this heat storage device 20, which contains the heat storage medium 21 for storing cold, is on the one hand connected by pipes 27, 28 to the cold-air generating element 15 as a heat pump, and also to the heat exchanger 35 by pipes 23, 25. The heat storage medium 21 flows from the heat storage device 20 to the cold-air generating element 15 for cooling, then flows through the heat exchanger 35 for outputting cold air, and in each case is then returned to this heat storage device 20.

Claims

1. A method for cooling a beverage in a continuous flow, preferably in a coffee machine, in which the device (10) comprises a cold air generating element and a heat exchanger (35) operatively connected to said cold air generating element, the cooling of said beverage in a continuous flow being performed by said heat exchanger, 1. A method according to claim 1, wherein a heat storage device (20) with a heat storage medium (21) for absorbing cold air is integrated into said device (10), said heat storage medium (21) is guided from said heat storage device to said cold air-generating element (15) for cooling and returned to said heat storage (20), said heat storage medium (21) is guided to said heat exchanger (35) for outputting cold air and in each case returned to said heat storage device (20), and said beverage is transported in a cooled state from a supply source (30) through said heat exchanger (35) to a processing unit or an outlet (38).

2. 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the heat exchanger (35) is cooled to a specific temperature, in particular before the beverage passes through it together with the heat storage medium in a specific quantity flow, and the beverage passes from the source (30) through the heat exchanger (35) and is transported directly to a processing unit or directly to an outlet.

3. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the heat storage medium (21) is simultaneously conveyed through the heat exchanger (35) as the beverage passes through, and preferably the temperature of at least the beverage is measured after said passage to monitor a target temperature.

4. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the heat storage device (20) designed as a layered tank is dimensioned with a heat storage capacity of the heat storage medium (21) such that it can cool a certain number of portions of beverage in the heat exchanger (35) to the target value, and the heat storage medium (21) is cooled to the target value when the cold layer is discharged, and when the heat storage medium (21) is appreciably reduced to a minimum amount, a warm layer (21') is cooled from the top of the heat storage device (20) by a heat exchanger in the cold air generating element (15) and flows down the heat storage device (20) until the heat storage device is filled with the cold layer.

5. 5. A device for carrying out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, said device comprising a cold air generating element (15), a heat exchanger (35) operatively connected to said cold air generating element (15), and at least one pipe (36, 37) leading to and leaving said heat exchanger (35) for cooling each said beverage in a continuous flow, a heat storage device (20) having a heat storage medium (21) for absorbing cold air is integrated into the device (10), the heat storage device (20) being on the one hand connected to the cold air generating element (15) by pipes (27, 28) and also to the heat exchanger (35) by pipes (23, 25) so that the heat storage medium (21) can be guided from the heat storage tank to the cold air generating element (15) to cool it, and to the heat exchanger (35) to output cold air, in each case back to the heat storage device (20), the beverage being transported from a supply source through the heat exchanger (35) in a cooled state to a processing unit or directly to an outlet (38).

6. 6. The device according to claim 5, characterized in that the heat storage device (20) is designed as a container-shaped layered tank, in which the liquid heat storage medium (21) can be divided into a cold lower layer and a warm upper layer (21'), a separating layer being provided between the cold lower layer and the warm upper layer (21').

7. 7. A device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the lower and upper parts of the heat storage device (20) each comprise at least one opening (22', 26'), the heat storage device (20) being first connected to the cold-generating element (15) via a pipe (27) from one opening (22', 26') to the other opening, and also connected to the heat exchanger (35) by a pipe (23), and in each case returning to the respective other opening (22', 26') through a pipe (28, 25), a controllable pump (24, 29) being accommodated in each of the pipes.

8. 8. The device according to claim 7, characterized in that one pipe (23) leads from the opening (22') on the lower side of the heat storage device (20) to the heat exchanger (35) and back from the heat exchanger (35) to the opening (26') on the upper side, so that the heat storage medium (21) is transported from the opening (22') on the lower side through the heat exchanger to the opening on the upper side.

9. 9. The device according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the other pipe (27) leads from the opening (26') on the upper side of the heat storage device (20) to the cold air generating element (15) and from the cold air generating element (15) to the opening (22') on the lower side of the heat storage device (20), and the heat storage medium (21) is passed from the opening (26') on the upper side through the cold air generating element to the opening (22') on the lower side.

10. 10. A device according to any one of claims 5 to 9, characterized in that the pumps (24, 29, 39) conveying the heat storage medium (21) and / or the beverage are controlled with an output such that the flow rate of the respective heat storage medium and / or the beverage is in the laminar flow range at least in the heat exchanger (35).

11. 11. A device according to any one of claims 5 to 10, characterized in that the heat exchanger (35) has a thermal conductivity of cold air from the heat storage medium (21) to the beverage, preferably such that the beverage, having passed through the heat exchanger (35) in multiple portions, has a target temperature after passing through the heat exchanger once, so that the beverage can be guided to a processing unit or directly to the outlet (38).

12. 12. A device according to claim 5, wherein the heat exchanger (35) comprises several frame elements (41, 42) with inner longitudinal passages (41', 42'), between which in each case at least one sealing plate (43) with transverse openings (44, 45) connecting the lateral flows is inserted, and in each case one frame element (41) through which the heat storage medium (21) passes and one frame element (42) for cooling the beverage are arranged alternately, with at least one sealing plate (43) located in each case between the frame elements (41, 42).

13. 13. The device according to claim 12, characterized in that the heat exchanger (35) is assigned several frame elements (41, 42) arranged in a row and sealing plates (43) between the frame elements (41, 42), the sealing plates (43) being thermally conductive so that the beverage reaches the target temperature after passing through the heat exchanger once.

14. 14. A device according to any one of claims 5 to 13, characterized in that another thermal energy storage system, such as a sensible or latent heat accumulator, can be used instead of the layered tank.

15. Preferably, a coffee machine comprising a device according to any one of claims 5 to 14, said coffee machine comprising at least one heat generating device, such as a hot water container for brewing coffee or dispensing tea, a boiler for generating steam to produce hot milk or frothed milk, and at least one cooling device, such as a refrigerator or ice making device, Coffee machine, characterized in that at least one heat pump is integrated into the coffee machine, the at least one heat pump being, on the one hand, operably connected to at least one heat generator directly or through a heat accumulator, or further operably connected to at least one cooling unit directly or through a cold accumulator, such that, on the one hand, heat can be transferred in a controlled manner by a condenser of the heat pump to the heat accumulator or directly to the at least one heat generator, and, on the other hand, cold air can be transferred in a controlled manner by an evaporator of the heat pump to the cold accumulator or to at least one cooling appliance.

16. 16. A coffee machine according to claim 15, characterized in that at least one medium is supplied to the condenser or the evaporator from the respective heat store or the heat generator or from the respective cold store or the cooling unit and is heated or cooled by a heat exchanger in the heat pump.

17. Coffee machine according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the relevant medium can be supplied through one pipe to the heat pump and back to the heat accumulator, or directly to the heat generator or the cold accumulator, or directly to the cooling unit.

18. 18. A coffee machine according to any one of claims 15 to 17, characterized in that each heat accumulator and / or heat generator is assigned a further heater or each cold accumulator and / or cooling unit is assigned a further cooler, via which further heating or cooling energy can be supplied.

19. Coffee machine according to any one of claims 15 to 18, characterized in that in the device (10) having the heat storage device (20) as a cold storage, the cooling unit is formed by the heat exchanger (35) through which the beverage is taken from the source (30) and conveyed in a cooled state to a processing unit or outlet (38).

20. 20. A coffee machine according to claim 19, characterized in that the heat storage device (20) is on the one hand connected to the heat pump as cold air generating element (15) by pipes (27, 28) and also to the heat exchanger (35) by pipes (23, 25), so that the heat storage medium (21) can be guided from the tank to the heat pump for cooling, to the heat exchanger (35) for outputting cold air, and in each case back to the heat storage device (20).

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