Automatic hot drink dispenser with integrated cleaning system

Abstract

To improve the operability and / or operational safety of an automated hot drink dispenser that integrates a cleaning system including a detergent metering dispenser for solid detergents, particularly tablet or ball-shaped detergents, an unloading device is provided, comprising a transport channel guiding the detergents from a storage container to the input slot of a drink vending machine, and at least one screw conveyor rotatably supported and motor-driven inside, wherein the solid detergents are individually transported by the screw blades of the screw conveyor. A first sensor is positioned in the area of ​​the transport channel opposite the storage container to identify individual detergent solids being transported from the storage container. This allows for the constant counting and identification of how many detergent solids are present in the cleaning channel. When the storage container is empty, based on the known number of detergent balls in the transport channel, a notification message can be generated indicating how many more cleaning processes can be performed with the detergent present in the cleaning channel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an automatic hot drink preparation device with an integrated cleaning system, in particular a coffee maker, wherein the cleaning system comprises a detergent dosing device for solid detergents, particularly tablet-shaped or ball-shaped detergents, and comprises a storage container for solid detergents and a discharge device for individualizing solid detergents and conveying them to an inlet of the automatic hot drink preparation device.

Background Art

[0002] Automatic hot drink preparation devices, particularly fully automatic coffee machines, are usually provided with an integrated cleaning system that rinses the conduits through which food products flow with cleaning liquid and / or water at regular intervals, after a predetermined number of product deliveries, or when service is stopped, thereby removing adhered residues. Fully automatic coffee machines are known in the market, for example, in which a user is required to take a cleaning tablet from a storage container and insert it through a supply flap above the inlet in a guided process. The detergent tablet reaches the extraction unit, is dissolved in hot water, and is subsequently conveyed through the conduit through which coffee flows.

[0003] A corresponding coffee maker provided with a cleaning system is known from European Patent Application Publication No. 1911382, in which coffee maker, detergent tablets are supplied from a tablet magazine to an extraction group via a coffee supply device.

[0004] An automated hot drink dispenser described in the broader concept of claim 1 is also known from European Patent Application Publication No. 1210894. In this automated hot drink dispenser, tablet or ball-shaped detergent is dispensed from a storage container, individually portioned via a bottom-side quantitative dispensing wheel, and supplied to a drink vending machine. A type of spring scale can be used to monitor the level of detergent in the storage container and to generate a message indicating that the detergent needs to be replenished. A light barrier at the detergent outlet can be used to confirm whether or not detergent tablets have been dispensed, or how many detergent tablets have been dispensed. However, it is not possible to determine how many more times the cleaning process can be performed with the stocked detergent.

[0005] From Chinese Patent Application Publication No. 703374, a cleaning system for beverage vending machines is known, in which ball-shaped cleaning agents can be individualized via a quantitative dispensing device equipped with two screw conveyors rotating in opposite directions and supplied to the beverage vending machine via a quantitative dispensing gate. Here, the quantitative dispensing gate operates via a light barrier at the outlet. Even in this case, it is not possible to determine how many more cleaning processes can be performed with the remaining cleaning agent. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] European Patent Application Publication No. 1911382 [Patent Document 2] European Patent Application Publication No. 1210894 [Patent Document 3] Specification of Chinese Patent Application Publication No. 703374 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] The object of the present invention is to improve the operability and / or operational safety of the automatic hot drink preparation device described at the beginning. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] This problem is solved by the features of claim 1. Advantageous configurations become apparent from the dependent claims. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a detergent metering dispenser for use in an automatic hot drink preparation apparatus.

[0009] In the automatic hot drink preparation device described at the beginning, according to the present invention, the discharge device has a transport channel that guides the contents from the storage container to the input port, and the transport channel comprises at least one screw conveyor that is rotatably supported inside and driven by a motor, and the solid detergent is individually transported by the screw blades of the screw conveyor, and a first sensor for identifying individual detergent solids being transported from the storage container is located in the region of the transport channel facing the storage container. Because the transport channel is provided through which the detergent solids are transported and where the first sensor for identifying the transported detergent solids is located at the end of the transport channel facing the storage container, it is possible to constantly count and identify how many detergent solids are present in the transport channel. Therefore, when the storage container is empty and no more detergent solids are transported, it is also possible to determine how many more times the washing process can be performed with the detergent solids still contained in the transport channel.

[0010] In particular, a second sensor can be placed in the area of ​​the transport channel opposite the inlet to identify the supply of detergent solids to the inlet. This confirms that one detergent solid or a predetermined number of detergent solids have actually been released into the inlet, thereby controlling the quantitative supply.

[0011] In one preferred embodiment, the automatic hot drink preparation apparatus has a control device connected to a first sensor which, when the screw conveyor is in operation, checks whether further cleaning agent is being transported from the storage container, and if not, outputs a notification message indicating that further washing can be performed a number of times corresponding to the number of cleaning agent solids present in the transport channel, in particular, the notification message is sent to a remote monitoring server via a data network connection.

[0012] As described above, the first sensor can be used to detect and count the detergent solids being transported from the storage container to the transport channel. This allows us to determine how many detergent solids are present in the transport channel. If no more detergent solids are transported, the storage container is empty, and an appropriate empty message is output. Since the number of detergent solids in the transport channel is known, according to the present invention, a notification message can be generated indicating how many more times the cleaning process can be performed with the detergent solids present in the cleaning channel. If this number is exceeded, the operation of the automatic hot drink dispenser can be stopped. At the latest, if the cleaning process must be performed again in order to continue operation, and the detergent has not been replenished by then, the operation of the automatic hot drink dispenser will be interrupted.

[0013] In particular, the control device is additionally connected to a second sensor, which is used to drive a motor that operates the screw conveyor to perform cleaning until a predetermined number of detergent solids are detected being released into the inlet. Thus, the second sensor is used to count whether or not detergent solids have been released into the inlet, or how many detergent solids have been released into the inlet, at the time of supply. This allows for precise control of the screw conveyor's operation and ensures reliable and accurate quantitative supply of the detergent.

[0014] Within the framework of one preferred embodiment, one detergent solid is delivered into the beverage vending machine via the inlet for each cleaning cycle. However, the present invention is not limited to such a 1:1 quantitative supply. It is equally conceivable that two detergent solids, or in a typical case, n detergent solids, be supplied to the beverage vending machine for each cleaning cycle.

[0015] In one preferred embodiment, the storage container and dispensing device form a mechanical unit that is integrated into an automatic hot drink dispenser in a retractable manner as a kind of drawer unit. During operation, the mechanical unit is inserted into the automatic hot drink dispenser, thus avoiding direct access. For filling, the mechanical unit can be pulled out, thereby allowing the detergent to be replenished in the storage container, which has an open top. In particular, the drawer-type mechanical unit can be positioned behind the front of the openable device, thereby allowing access only to service personnel and not to ordinary users. The storage container can be configured to be transparent or translucent, in particular, so that it can be immediately identified whether or not the detergent is still inside.

[0016] Preferably, the mechanical unit, which consists of a storage container and a dispensing device, can be pulled out in two stages: the first stage allows for refilling the storage container, and the second stage allows for maintenance of the dispensing device, the second stage being mechanically locked. This also provides simple operation for both filling the storage container and maintaining the dispensing device.

[0017] In particular, the screw conveyor is connected to the motor by inserting a mechanical unit formed from a storage container and a dispensing device. Therefore, the motor is not part of the mechanical unit itself, but remains fixed within the automatic hot drink preparation device.

[0018] The mechanical unit, consisting of a storage container and a discharge device, is held in place by magnets, particularly in its final inserted position. These holding magnets provide the user with tactile feedback regarding the precise positioning of the mechanical unit. Additionally, the final position of the mechanical unit, consisting of the storage container and discharge device, can be detected via a final position switch, which is monitored by a sensor. In this case, the washing process can be controlled so that it is initiated only when the storage container and discharge device are in their final inserted position, thereby ensuring reliable delivery of the washing agent solids to the automated hot drink preparation device.

[0019] Preferably, the conveying channel and screw conveyor cooperate with each other so that, in the case of cleaning agent solids of a predetermined size and shape, particularly ball-shaped cleaning agent solids, the cleaning agent solids are conveyed in a linear arrangement. This significantly improves operational safety, prevents clogging or malfunction of the screw conveyor, and enables safe and reliable quantitative supply of the cleaning agent.

[0020] In this configuration, the screw conveyor can be positioned in the area below the conveying channel, and the cleaning agent solids can be conveyed above the screw conveyor by the screw blades of the screw conveyor, with the inner diameter of the conveying channel approximately corresponding to the dimensions of cleaning agent solids of a predetermined size and shape.

[0021] Additionally, a mechanical individualizing device can be placed in the storage container at the bottom, which passes only one solid detergent particle at a time towards the transport channel. Such an individualizing device can be formed, for example, as a passage to the transport channel, which is adapted to the shape and size of a predetermined solid detergent particle and has an inclined bottom.

[0022] In one preferred embodiment, the singulating device is formed by a rotating element at the lower end of a storage container, which is driven via a motor and a screw conveyor. This keeps the solid detergent moving and prevents clogging of the solid detergent ("bridge formation"). The singulating device cooperates with a passage to the conveying channel that is adapted to the shape and size of a predetermined solid detergent, so that only one solid detergent can reach the conveying channel at a time. In particular, the rotating element may have a flexible arm that keeps the detergent moving.

[0023] In particular, the first sensor and / or the second sensor may be configured as a reflective light barrier. This achieves highly reliable, failure-free operation and reliable identification of solid detergent.

[0024] Further advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] [Figure 1] Fig. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a detergent dosing device configured as a drawer unit for an automatic hot drink preparation apparatus. [Figure 2] Fig. 2 is a rear view of the detergent dosing device shown in Fig. 1. [Figure 3] Fig. 3 is a plan view of the detergent dosing device shown in Fig. 1. [Figure 4] Fig. 4 is a side view of the detergent dosing device shown in Fig. 1. [Figure 5] Fig. 5 is a cut-out detail view of the detergent dosing device shown in Fig. 1, in which the singulating device on the bottom side inside the storage container can be seen. [Figure 6] Fig. 6 is a view of an automatic hot drink preparation apparatus, in which a front door is opened, and the storage container of the detergent dosing device integrated with a drawer unit is drawn out for filling. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0026] The detergent quantitative dispensing device shown in Figure 1 has a pull-out storage container 1 equipped with an individualizing device 2 on the bottom. The passage at the bottom of the storage container, which is adapted to the shape and size of a predetermined detergent solid, opens to a transport channel 4 for transporting the detergent. A rotatably supported screw conveyor (quantitative dispensing screw) 3 is provided within the transport channel 4, and using this screw conveyor 3, the solid detergent that has reached the transport channel 4 from the storage container 1 via the individualizing device 2 is transported in the direction of an inclined path 5. The inclined path 5 is guided to the extraction unit of an automatic hot drink preparation device to which it belongs, where the detergent is dissolved in hot water and transported through the beverage piping of the automatic hot drink preparation device. The automatic hot drink preparation device is, for example, a fully automatic coffee machine. Alternatively, the inclined path may also be guided to a washing container, where the detergent is dissolved in water and subsequently rinsed through the piping of the automatic hot drink preparation device, for example, the milk system of a fully automatic coffee machine.

[0027] The detergent metering dispenser is designed for solid, especially ball-shaped, detergents that are individually transported along the transport channel 4.

[0028] A first sensor 6 is provided in the area of ​​the transport channel 4 facing the storage container 1 to identify individual detergent solids being transported from the storage container 1. A second sensor 7 is located at the end of the transport channel 4 facing the ramp 5 to identify detergent solids, and this second sensor 7 is used to identify the release of detergent solids into the inlet of the automatic hot drink preparation device via the ramp 5.

[0029] In this embodiment, the two sensors 6 and 7 are configured as reflective light barriers and identify when detergent balls have passed in front of the sensors based on a low / high / low switching pattern. Sensor 6 can be used to count how many detergent balls are present in the transport channel 4, and sensor 7 can be used to identify when detergent balls have been released to the inlet via the ramp 5. This makes it possible to know how many detergent balls are currently present in the transport channel 4 at any given time.

[0030] The storage container 1 and the conveying channel 4 equipped with a screw conveyor 3 form a single mechanical unit, which can be withdrawn from the automatic hot drink preparation device in two stages. The first stage is used for refilling the storage container 1. The second stage is separately mechanically locked and is used for easy access during maintenance.

[0031] The screw conveyor 3 is driven via a motor 9 and a transmission unit 8. When the mechanical unit formed from the storage container 1 and the transport channel 4 is inserted, the screw conveyor 3 is connected to the drive wheel of the motor 9.

[0032] The individualization device 2 is formed by a rotating element at the lower end of the storage container 1, which is driven via a motor and a screw conveyor. The individualization device 2 works in cooperation with passage sections that are adapted to the shape and size of the detergent solids, so that only one detergent solid can fall into the conveying channel 4 at a time.

[0033] Alternatively, the individualization device 2 could be formed, for example, by a sloping bottom that extends downward on both sides in a funnel shape, in cooperation with a passage section that is adapted to the shape and size of the detergent solid.

[0034] The mechanical unit, formed from the storage container 1 and the transport channel 4, can be held in its final position (inserted position) by a magnet, thereby providing the user with tactile feedback of correct positioning. Additionally, the final position of the storage container 1 can be fixed via a mechanical switch, which can be monitored by a sensor. When the unit is removed, the storage container and the transport channel can be separated from each other and cleaned or maintained separately.

[0035] Sensors 6 and 7 are connected to a control unit 10, which specifically controls the motor 8 to transport detergent balls via the ramp 5 to the input port of the automatic hot drink dispenser. Through sensors 6 and 7, the control unit 10 counts the detergent balls transported in the transport channel 4 and the detergent balls released into the automatic hot drink dispenser via the ramp 5. When the storage container 1 is empty, sensor 6 detects that no more detergent balls will be transported. Based on this, the control unit 10 outputs a notification message 11 indicating that a number of washes corresponding to the number of detergent balls present in the transport channel can still be performed. The notification message 11 can be sent to a remote monitoring server via a graphical user interface (not shown) or a data network connection. Simultaneously, the notification message can be used to automatically trigger an additional detergent order.

[0036] When the detergent ball is transported to the automatic hot drink preparation device, the control unit 10 starts the motor 8 and drives the motor until the sensor 7 notifies that the detergent ball has been released via the ramp 5.

[0037] Figure 3, a plan view of the detergent metering device, shows that detergent balls are transported one after another in a linear arrangement. The inner diameter of the transport channel 4 roughly corresponds to the diameter of the detergent balls. On the underside of the transport channel, the detergent balls are positioned above the screw blades of the screw conveyor 3, and when the screw conveyor 3 is driven by the motor 8, they are transported in the direction of the ramp 5.

[0038] The rotating element of the individualization device 2 is shown in detail in the cropped detail view in Figure 5. The rotating element is driven by a gear 14 directly above the screw conveyor 3 and has two flexible arms 2a, which keep the detergent balls moving and prevent blockage or "bridging" between the balls. Nevertheless, if the balls stop moving, the force generated is absorbed by the flexible arms 2a rather than directly causing a blockage of the entire system, allowing the screw conveyor 3 to rotate further and thereby clear the blockage, so that subsequent detergent balls can fall into the transport channel 4.

[0039] Since the storage container 1 is made of transparent or translucent plastic, the operator can easily identify the level of detergent balls filling the storage container 1. Figure 6 schematically shows the automatic hot drink preparation device 12 with the front door 13 open. When a message indicating that the storage container 1 is empty is output via the graphical user interface, indicating that detergent balls no longer pass in front of the sensor 6, the operator can pull out the mechanical unit 1', which consists of the storage container 1 and the transport channel 4 and is configured as a pull-out unit, for refilling the storage container 1. After refilling, the unit 1', configured as a pull-out unit, is simply reinserted into the automatic hot drink preparation device, thereby connecting the screw conveyor to the motor 8.

[0040] The present invention is not limited to an unloading device comprising a single screw conveyor, although this is a preferred embodiment. However, alternatively, a device consisting of two screw conveyors rotating in opposite directions, one rotating counterclockwise and the other clockwise, could also be used for transporting detergent balls. Importantly, the dimensions of the screw conveyors and transport channels are adapted to the shape and dimensions of the detergent solids to be used, thereby ensuring that the detergent solids are individualized and transported reliably without clogging. The present invention is not limited to ball-shaped detergent solids, but rather other geometric shapes of detergent solids (e.g., so-called detergent pods), such as tablets or cushions, could also be used.

Claims

1. An automatic hot beverage preparation device, particularly a coffee maker, with an integrated cleaning system, The cleaning system includes a detergent metering device for solid, particularly tablet or ball-shaped, detergents, and comprises a storage container (1) for the solid detergents and a discharge device (3, 4) for individualizing the solid detergents and transporting them to the input port of the automatic hot drink preparation device, in an automatic hot drink preparation device, The discharge device has a transport channel (4) that guides the transport from the storage container (1) to the input port, and the transport channel (4) comprises at least one screw conveyor (3) that is rotatably supported inside the transport channel (4) and driven by a motor (8), and the solid cleaning agent is transported individually by the screw blades of the screw conveyor (3). An automatic hot drink preparation device, characterized in that a first sensor (6) for identifying individual detergent solids being transported from the storage container (1) is positioned in the region of the transport channel (4) facing the storage container (1).

2. The automatic hot drink preparation apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that a second sensor (7) for identifying the release of solid detergent to the input port is arranged in the region of the transport channel (4) facing the input port.

3. The automatic hot drink preparation apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a control device (10) connected to the first sensor (6), wherein the control device (10) is configured to check whether further cleaning agent is transported from the storage container (1) when the screw conveyor (3) is operating, and if not transported, to output a notification message (11) indicating that further cleaning can be performed a number of times corresponding to the number of cleaning agent solids present in the transport channel (4), and in particular, the notification message is transmitted to a remote monitoring server via a data network connection.

4. The automatic hot drink preparation apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the control device (10) is additionally connected to a second sensor (7), and the second sensor (7) is used to drive the motor (8) for operating the screw conveyor (3) in order to perform cleaning until a predetermined number of cleaning agent solids are identified to the input port.

5. The automatic hot drink preparation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a storage container (1) and a dispensing device (3, 4) are integrated into the automatic hot drink preparation apparatus in a retractable manner as a kind of drawer unit, forming a mechanical unit.

6. The automatic hot drink preparation apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the mechanical unit, which is formed from a storage container (1) and a dispensing device (3, 4), can be pulled out in two pulling-out stages, in which the storage container (1) can be replenished in the first pulling-out stage, and in which maintenance of the dispensing device (3, 4) can be performed in the second pulling-out stage, and in particular the second pulling-out stage is mechanically locked.

7. The automatic hot drink preparation apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the screw conveyor (3) is connected to the motor (6) by inserting the mechanical unit formed from the storage container (1) and the discharge devices (3, 4).

8. The automatic hot drink preparation apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the mechanical unit, which is formed from a storage container (1) and a dispensing device (3, 4), is held in its final inserted position by a magnet.

9. The automatic hot drink preparation apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the final inserted position of the mechanical unit, which is formed from a storage container (1) and a dispensing device (3, 4), is detected via a final position switch that is monitored in particular by a sensor.

10. The automatic hot drink preparation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the conveying channel (4) and the screw conveyor (4) cooperate with each other so that, in the case of a cleaning agent solid of a predetermined size and shape, particularly a ball shape, the cleaning agent solid is conveyed in a linear row.

11. The automatic hot drink preparation apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that the screw conveyor (3) is located in the region below the transport channel (4), the cleaning agent solid is transported above the screw conveyor (3) by the screw blades of the screw conveyor (3), and the inner diameter of the transport channel (4) corresponds to the dimensions of a cleaning agent solid of a predetermined size and shape.

12. An automatic hot drink preparation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein a mechanical individualizing device (2) is arranged in the storage container (1) at the bottom, and the individualizing device (2) is formed in particular by a rotating element at the lower end of the storage container, which is driven via the motor and the screw conveyor.

13. The automatic hot drink preparation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the first sensor (6) and / or the second sensor (7) are configured as reflective light barriers.

14. A detergent quantitative dispensing device for use in an automatic hot drink preparation device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, comprising a storage container (1) for the solid detergent and a discharge device (3, 4) for transporting the solid detergent to the input port of the automatic hot drink preparation device, The discharge device has a transport channel (4) that guides the transport from the storage container (1) to the input port, and the transport channel (4) comprises at least one screw conveyor (3) that is rotatably supported inside the transport channel (4) and driven by a motor (8), and the solid cleaning agent is transported individually by the screw blades of the screw conveyor (3). An automatic hot drink preparation device, characterized in that a first sensor (6) for identifying individual detergent solids being transported from the storage container (1) is positioned in the region of the transport channel (4) facing the storage container (1).

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