Drink preparation device

Abstract

Drink preparation device, comprising a carbonation device (80) for carbonating a drink, a cooling device (30) for cooling the drink, a housing (20) defining a housing interior (26), wherein the carbonation device (80) and the cooling device (30) are arranged in the housing interior (26), and a connecting device (37) comprising a gas inlet (39), a drink inlet (381) and a drink outlet (382), such that a drink mass flow flowing in through the drink inlet (381) can be mixed with a gas flowing in through the gas inlet (39) in the carbonation device (80) and / or can be cooled in the cooling device (30).

Description

[0001] MF. P.24003. WO / DD 13.12.2024

[0002] - 1 -

[0003] Drink preparation device

[0004] Description

[0005] The present invention relates to a drink preparation device.

[0006] Various configurations of drink preparation devices are known from the prior art, wherein a drink is prepared before it can be tapped or drawn off. In this case, the drink can either be prepared in such a way that gas, in particular carbon dioxide, is mixed with the original drink or carbonated, whereby a drink mixed with a carbon dioxide column can be tapped at a tap. On the other hand, the drink can be prepared in such a way that it is cooled before it is tapped. Such carbonation and cooling devices are known in a variety of ways, wherein the drink preparation devices are composed of several different components, including the carbonation device and the cooling device, and thus require a large installation space. Therefore, such drink preparation devices, which include a carbonation device and a cooling device, are only known in the professional environment or in the catering industry. Due to the large installation space and the cumbersome design, such drink preparation devices can only be transported with a great amount of effort and are therefore not suitable for use in a private household.

[0007] The problem to be solved by the invention is how to create a drink preparation device that comprises such a structure and installation space that the drink preparation device can be transported and is easy to assemble and connect.

[0008] The problem is solved by the features of claim 1 .

[0009] The drink preparation device comprises a carbonation device for carbonating a drink, a cooling device for cooling the drink and a connection device which has a gas inlet, a drink inlet and a drink outlet, such that a drink mass flow entering via the drink inlet can be mixed in the carbonation unit with a gas entering via the gas inlet and / or can be cooled in the cooling device. This type of design for the drink preparation device allows the drink in its original state, in particular tap water flowing out of the water pipe, to be MF. P.24003. WO / DD 13.12.2024

[0010] - 2 - prepared in such a way that it can be tapped at a tap in different states, namely still / uncooled, still / cooled, carbonated / uncooled and carbonated / cooled. The user can select the desired state via a user interface, causing the drink preparation device to operate in accordance with the selection made on the user interface, i.e. the corresponding components are activated in accordance with the selection made on the user interface. The tap can either be arranged directly on the drink preparation device, so that the drink preparation device can be used as a free-standing device.

[0011] Alternatively, the drink preparation device can be fluidically connected to the tap valve via a hose connected to the drink outlet, wherein the tap valve or a tap is arranged at a predefined location spaced apart from the drink preparation device. For example, the drink preparation device could be arranged in a base cabinet of a kitchen and the tapping valve could be formed by the tap.

[0012] The drink preparation device comprises a housing that defines a housing interior, wherein the carbonation device and the cooling device are arranged in the housing interior. Crucially, all components required to cool and carbonate the drink are arranged in the housing or in the housing interior. The drink inlet, the gas inlet and the drink outlet are provided at the housing and are fluidically connected to the carbonation device and / or the cooling device, wherein a drink source and a gas source can be fluidically connected to the drink inlet and to the gas inlet. The connection of the inlets and the outlet to the gas source, the drink source and to a tap valve is carried out in particular by means of a quick-connect mechanism in each case.

[0013] The housing thus forms the basic structure of the drink preparation device, on which or in which all the components provided for preparing the drink are arranged. In order to put the drink preparation device into operation, only the gas source, the drink source, an electrical source and a tap valve need to be connected. This means that the drink preparation device can be easily installed and plugged in. The drink preparation device is configured to be so compact and easy to handle that it can be transported easily as a compact unit.

[0014] The cooling device is preferably connected upstream of the carbonation device. This means that the drink flowing into the drink preparation device via the drink inlet is first MF. P.24003. WO / DD 13.12.2024

[0015] - 3 - cooled by the cooling device to a predefined temperature and then mixed or carbonated with the gas flowing into the drink preparation device through the gas inlet.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, an inlet valve and / or a pump are arranged downstream of the drink inlet. The drink present at the drink inlet is at a certain pressure. Drinking water flowing from the main water supply into the drink preparation device, for example, is at a predetermined water pressure of the water pipe. In order to achieve the desired mixing of the gas with the drink in the carbonation device, the pressure in the drink line of the drink preparation device is increased by the pump. In addition, the inlet valve is arranged at the drink inlet, through which the inflow of the drink into the drink preparation device can be controlled.

[0017] The housing, which is particularly cuboid, preferably comprises an external width of 15 to 30 cm, an external height of 25 to 50 cm and an external depth of 5 to 20 cm. The external width, external height and external depth refer to the dimensions on the outside of the housing. This compact drink preparation device is configured such that all components of the drink preparation device are arranged in the compact housing. Such a compact drink preparation device can be positioned in or on a standard kitchen cabinet. This makes it possible to provide a drink preparation device which, due to its particularly compact design, can be positioned almost anywhere despite the large number of individual components.

[0018] The cooling device preferably comprises a cooling housing, a drink line, a coolant line and a heat transfer means, wherein the drink line, the coolant line and the heat transfer means are arranged in the cooling housing. The coolant line is designed to be flowed through by a coolant flowing through a cooling unit and the drink line is designed to be flowed through by a drink, wherein the heat transfer means is configured in such a way that heat transfer between the coolant line and the drink line takes place via the heat transfer means. When the drink is to be cooled by the cooling device, the drink is introduced into the drink line, wherein the drink flowing through the drink line transfers heat to the heat transfer means and is thereby cooled. The heat transfer means is in turn thermally coupled to the coolant line and thus to the coolant, so that heat is transferred from the heat transfer means to the coolant, whereby the heat absorbed by MF. P.24003. WO / DD 13.12.2024

[0019] - 4 - the heat transfer means from the drink line is transferred back to the coolant and thus dissipated.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, the heat transfer means comprises a phase change material.

[0021] Phase change materials are substances that can absorb or release heat or cold during their phase change. The phase change materials can store very large amounts of heat in a small temperature range around their phase change temperature, for example around the melting point. In contrast to other heat stores, which absorb and release heat in the form of a noticeable temperature change, the phase change materials change their aggregate state in the range of the phase change temperature when absorbing or releasing heat.

[0022] Since the heat transfer means is designed as a phase change material, the heat transfer means is used for heat transfer and heat storage. When the heat transfer means is cooled by the coolant flowing through the coolant line, a quantity of heat or energy is removed from the phase change material, causing the phase change material to change its aggregate state. When the temperature of the drink exceeds the phase change temperature, heat, i.e. the heat energy present in the drink, is transferred from the drink to the heat transfer means until a phase change of the phase change material occurs in the opposite direction to the phase change described above. The fact that the heat energy for the phase change of the phase change material is transferred from the drink to the heat transfer means cools the drink. During the operation of the cooling device, the phase change material changes back and forth between the two aggregate states, thus ensuring that the drink is permanently cooled.

[0023] In this way, the heat transfer means is used as a heat store that can provide fast and efficient cooling of the drink.

[0024] Preferably, the drink line and / or the coolant line comprise a helical line section, wherein the helical line section of the drink line and the helical line section of the coolant line extend around a common axis and are interleaved within one another. The helical configuration of the coolant line and / or the drink line allows a relatively long section of the drink line and / or the coolant line to be arranged within the cooling housing. This makes it possible to provide a relatively large heat transfer surface for the drink line MF. P.24003. WO / DD 13.12.2024

[0025] - 5 - and / or the coolant line, thereby achieving a relatively high cooling effect. The interleaved arrangement of the coolant line and the drink line means that the heat transfer path can be kept as short as possible. In addition, the interleaved design can reduce the installation space of the cooling device and thus of the drink preparation device.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment, the cooling housing comprises a cooling interior that has a circular cross-section, wherein the helical line section of the drink line and the helical line section of the coolant line are arranged in the cooling interior. The dimensions of the cooling interior, in relation to the axis, are not significantly larger radially than the dimensions of the combination of the line sections of the coolant line and the drink line. In particular, the outer drink line is at a distance of 10-20 mm from an outer wall of the cooling interior and the inner coolant line is at a distance of 10-20 mm from an inner wall of the cooling interior. The amount of heat transfer means or phase change material can be reduced because the interior cooling space comprises an annular cross-section, wherein the dimensions of the interior cooling space are selected depending on the dimensions of the coolant line and the drink line, wherein there is sufficient heat transfer means for the intermediate storage of heat. Preferably, the drink line and the coolant line each comprise two connection sections, wherein all the connection sections of the drink line and the coolant line extend parallel to one another. This has the advantage that the components arranged on the connection sections can be connected to a common side of the housing, whereby the installation space of the drink preparation device can be reduced.

[0027] A heat insulation module is preferably arranged on an outer circumferential surface of the housing. The heat insulation module may, for example, consist of at least one element made of expanded polystyrene. The heat insulation can reduce the heat transfer between the environment and the heat transfer means, the coolant line and the drink line, thereby improving the cooling effect of the drink.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment, the cooling unit and the coolant line form a refrigerant circuit and the coolant is a refrigerant, wherein the cooling unit comprises a first heat exchanger, a compressor and a throttle. The first heat exchanger is preferably arranged MF. P.24003. WO / DD 13.12.2024

[0029] - 6 - at a housing opening within the cooling housing, wherein a fan is arranged on the heat exchanger to provide a cooling air flow.

[0030] In a cyclic process of the refrigerant cycle, gaseous refrigerant is compressed by a compressor. In the downstream first heat exchanger, a condenser, the refrigerant condenses, wherein heat is released at a high temperature to the environment. The warm liquid refrigerant is then supplied to a throttling point, where its pressure is reduced adiabatically. In the second heat exchanger, the evaporator, the expanded coolant absorbs heat at a low temperature through evaporation. The compressor then draws in the evaporated coolant, and the cycle is closed. The coolant line extending through the housing forms the second heat exchanger.

[0031] A control unit for controlling the cooling unit and a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the heat transfer means are preferably provided, wherein the control unit is configured to control the cooling unit in dependence on the sensor signal of the temperature sensor in such a way that the temperature of the heat transfer means is cooled below a phase change temperature. The cooling unit is activated by the control unit when the temperature of the heat transfer means rises above a predetermined temperature threshold. The temperature threshold is selected so that it corresponds to the phase change temperature, in particular the melting point, of the phase change material. This means that the cooling unit is always activated when a phase change has occurred due to the heat transfer between the drink and the heat transfer means. In this process, a certain amount of heat is absorbed by the heat transfer means. The heat transfer means is cooled by the coolant until a phase change has taken place in the other direction. In this process, a certain amount of heat is released from the heat transfer means to the coolant.

[0032] In this way, the cooling unit is not constantly active, but only when needed, wherein the cooling of the drink is ensured at all times, i.e. even when the cooling unit is not active. The phase change material comprises a melting point at 5°C.

[0033] Preferably, the carbonating device is configured in a modular way such that the carbonating device comprises a separate carbonating housing, a separate mixing chamber module and a separate nozzle module, wherein the mixing chamber module and the nozzle module are each detachably connected to the carbonating housing. MF. P.24003. WO / DD 13.12.2024

[0034] - 7 -

[0035] The carbonation housing forms the base of the carbonation device, so that the nozzle module and the mixing chamber module are attached to the carbonation housing. The nozzle module and the mixing chamber module are attached to the carbonation housing in such a way that the drink and the gas can flow into the mixing chamber of the mixing chamber module and mix with each other in the mixing chamber. The drink and the gas each flow through a nozzle, which is formed on the nozzle module, the carbonation housing and / or the mixing chamber module, into the mixing chamber, wherein the inflow of the gas and the drink can be influenced by the design of the nozzles so that the best possible mixing of the gas with the drinking water can be achieved.

[0036] Since the carbonation device is modular, the carbonation device can be designed as desired, wherein the carbonation housing defines the base element, which retains its shape identically for each different configuration of the carbonation device, and the nozzle module and the mixing chamber module can be selected and mounted on the carbonation housing. In this case, for example, the dimensions of the nozzle and thus the flow properties of the liquid flowing through the nozzle module into the mixing chamber can be varied by selecting the nozzle module. The dimensions of the mixing chamber, the shape of the mixing chamber and / or the dimensions of the nozzle, if a nozzle is formed by the mixing chamber module, can be varied by freely selecting the mixing chamber module. In this way, the best possible mixing of the gas with the drink can be achieved under different conditions.

[0037] In a preferred embodiment, the nozzle module and the mixing chamber module are inserted into the carbonation housing, wherein the nozzle module and / or the mixing chamber module are connected to the carbonation housing via a quick-connect mechanism. This can simplify the assembly and disassembly of the carbonation device, wherein, when assembling the carbonation device, the nozzle module and / or the mixing chamber module only has to be inserted into the carbonation housing at a predefined point. The nozzle module and the mixing chamber module are automatically fixed in the longitudinal direction and against the direction of insertion when they are inserted through the quick-connect mechanism. When disassembling, only the quick-connect MF. P.24003. WO / DD 13.12.2024

[0038] - 8 - mechanism needs to be unlocked by moving an element provided for this purpose, wherein the nozzle module or the mixing chamber module can be removed after unlocking. In this way, various nozzle modules and / or mixing chamber modules can be quickly and easily replaced. A seal is arranged in a cavity between the outer circumferential surface of the mixing chamber module and / or the nozzle module and the inner circumferential surface of an opening receiving the mixing chamber module or the nozzle module, in order to seal a housing interior from the external environment.

[0039] Preferably, the nozzle module is inserted in sections into the mixing chamber module. In the assembled state, the nozzle module and the mixing chamber module are inserted into the carbonation housing in such a way that the nozzle module is additionally inserted into the mixing chamber module at least with the front end. A nozzle is provided on the section inserted into the mixing chamber module. This allows the drink or gas flowing through the nozzle module into the mixing chamber to flow directly into the mixing chamber without the need for a flow channel provided on the carbonation housing. A seal is arranged between the outer circumferential surface of the nozzle module section extending into the mixing chamber module and the inner circumferential surface of a nozzle module receiving bore of the mixing chamber module, in order to prevent leakage of the gas and the drink via the gap between the mixing chamber module and the nozzle module.

[0040] Preferably, the mixing chamber module comprises at least one flow channel at an end facing the carbonation housing, which extends from the side of the mixing chamber module facing the carbonation housing to the mixing chamber, wherein an inlet formed on the carbonation housing is flu idical ly connected to the flow channel. The flow channel is arranged in particular in the region of the nozzle module section that extends into the mixing chamber module. In particular, the flow channel is formed in a wall that defines the opening of the mixing chamber module into which the nozzle module extends. The flow channel extends in the longitudinal direction of the mixing chamber module. The fact that the mixing chamber module forms the flow channel that opens into the mixing chamber and thus forms at least one nozzle makes it possible to easily change or adjust the inflow properties of the drink or gas flowing in through the first inlet, i.e. by exchanging or specifically selecting the mixing chamber module. MF. P.24003. WO / DD 13.12.2024

[0041] - 9 -

[0042] Preferably, at the end of the mixing chamber module facing the carbonation housing, there are several flow channels that are spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction with respect to the longitudinal axis.

[0043] An example of the present invention is described below with reference to the attached figures.

[0044] Figure 1 schematically shows a cross-section of a drink preparation device, and

[0045] Figure 2 schematically shows a cross-section of a carbonation device of the drink preparation device in Figure 1 .

[0046] Figure 1 shows a drink preparation device 10, which comprises a housing 20 with two housing components 22, 24. The housing 20 defines a housing interior 26. The housing 20 is configured to be cuboid. The external dimensions are chosen such that the external width B is 20 cm, the external height H is 34 cm and the external depth is 12 cm.

[0047] A cooling device 30 is arranged in a lower area of the housing interior 26. The cooling device 30 comprises a cooling housing 32, which is composed of a housing base body 321 and a cover 322. The cooling housing 32, i.e. the housing base body 321 and the cover 322, define a cooling interior 34. The housing base body 321 and the cover 322 are made of plastic. A thermal insulation module 36 is arranged on an outer circumferential surface of the housing 32, i.e. on a side of the housing 32 facing the external environment, which module comprises a pot-shaped insulating base body 361 and an insulating cover 362. The heat insulation module 36 consists of expanded polystyrene and completely encloses the housing 32 on the outside. The heat insulation module 36 reduces the heat transfer from the housing 32 and from the components arranged in the housing 32 to or in the housing 32.

[0048] The cooling housing 32 and the housing base body 321 are designed such that the housing interior 34 comprises a circular cross-section. For this purpose, the housing base 321 comprises an outer wall and an inner wall, wherein the housing interior 34 is MF. P.24003. WO / DD 13.12.2024

[0049] - 10 - defined by an inner circumferential surface of the outer wall, an outer circumferential surface of the inner wall, a bottom and the cover 321 .

[0050] A drink line 40, a coolant line 50 and a heat transfer means 60 are arranged within the cooling interior 34.

[0051] The drink line 40 comprises a helical line section 42 and two straight line sections 44, which respectively form a cooling device drink inlet 441 and a cooling device drink outlet 442, wherein between the helical line section 42 and the straight line sections 44 an intermediate section not shown is provided, which connects the line sections 42, 44. The helical line section 42 is arranged within the cooling interior 34 and extends between the inner circumferential surface of the outer wall and the outer circumferential surface of the inner wall. The intermediate section also extends from the helical line section 42 through the cooling interior 34 to the straight line section 44, wherein the straight line section 44 protrudes out of the cooling interior 34 via openings formed on the cooling housing 32 and on the thermal insulation module 36.

[0052] The coolant line 50 includes a helical line section 52 and two straight line sections 54, which respectively form a coolant inlet 541 and a coolant outlet 542 wherein an intermediate section, not shown in the figure, is provided between the helical line section 52 and the straight line sections 54, connecting the line sections 52, 54. The helical line section 52 is arranged within the cooling interior 34 and extends between the inner peripheral surface of the outer wall and the outer peripheral surface of the inner wall, wherein the helical line section 52 of the coolant line 50 extends in a space between the helical line section 42 of the drink line 40 and the outer circumferential surface of the inner wall. The helical line section 52 of the coolant line 50 is arranged relative to the helical line section 42 of the drink line 40 in such a way that the helical line section 52 extends in the longitudinal direction of the housing 32, i.e. in the direction of the axis S, in the area between two neighbouring sections of the helical line section 42. The intermediate section also extends from the helical line section 52 through the cooling interior 34 to the straight line section 54, wherein the line section 54 extends out of the cooling interior 32 through openings formed in the cooling housing 32 and in the thermal insulation module 36. MF. P.24003. WO / DD 13.12.2024

[0053] - 11 -

[0054] The heat transfer means 60 consists of a phase change material or is made of the phase change material and completely fills the cooling interior 34, wherein the heat transfer means 60 completely surrounds in particular the coolant line 50 arranged in the cooling interior 34 and the drink line 40 arranged in the cooling interior 34.

[0055] A cooling unit 70 arranged in the housing interior 26 is connected to the coolant inlet 541 and to the coolant outlet 542, wherein the coolant unit 70 and the coolant line 50 form a refrigerant circuit. Therefore, a refrigerant circulates through the refrigerant circuit. The cooling unit 70 includes a compressor 72, a first heat exchanger 74 and a throttle element or an expansion valve 76, wherein the coolant line 50 forms a second heat exchanger 78 required for the refrigerant circuit. The first heat exchanger 72 is arranged at an opening 28 of the housing 20, wherein a fan 75 for generating a cooling air flow is arranged on the first heat exchanger 74.

[0056] When the cooling unit 70 is in operation, gaseous refrigerant is compressed by the compressor 72. The refrigerant condenses in the downstream first heat exchanger 74, wherein heat is released into the environment. The liquid refrigerant is then directed to the expansion valve 76, where its pressure is adiabatically reduced. In the second heat exchanger 78, the expanded refrigerant absorbs heat at a low temperature by evaporating. The compressor 72 then draws in the vaporized refrigerant again, and the cycle is closed.

[0057] A line 46 is connected to the cooling device drink inlet 441 , which extends to a drink inlet 381 of a connecting device 37. The drink inlet 381 is located on the housing 20. An inlet valve 481 and a pump 482 are provided on the line 46, by means of which a drink mass flow can be controlled into the cooling device 30.

[0058] A line 49 is connected to the cooling device drink outlet 442, and via this line a carbonation device 80 is connected to the cooling device 30. The carbonation device 80 is also connected to a gas inlet 39 of the connecting device 37 provided on the housing 20 via a line 821 and to a drink outlet 382 of the connecting device 37 provided on the housing 20 via a line 822. The carbonation device 80 is shown in more detail in Figure 2. MF. P.24003. WO / DD 13.12.2024

[0059] - 12 -

[0060] The carbonation device 80 is designed as an in-line carbonation unit. The carbonation device 80 is modular and includes a carbonation device housing 84, a mixing chamber module 86 and a nozzle module 88. The carbonation device housing 84 comprises a through-bore into which the nozzle module 88 and the mixing chamber module 86 are inserted in such a way that the mixing chamber module 86 and the nozzle module 88 are inserted into the carbonation device housing 84 on opposite sides of the through- bore and are arranged flush with one another in the assembled state, i.e. the longitudinal axes of the mixing chamber module 86 and the nozzle module 88 are arranged flush with one another. The mixing chamber module 86 is detachably connected to the carbonation device housing 84 by means of a quick-connect mechanism 90. The nozzle module 88 is also detachably connected to the carbonation device housing 84 by means of a quick-connect mechanism 92. The quick-connect mechanisms are each designed as plug-in coupling mechanisms, wherein the nozzle module 88 and the mixing chamber module 86 only have to be inserted into the through opening when assembling the carbonation device 80. When disassembling, only one component of the quick-connect mechanisms has to be translationally displaced in order to pull out the mixing chamber module 86 or the nozzle module 88.

[0061] For the inlet of the drink and the gas into the carbonation device 80, the carbonation device housing 84 has a first inlet 100 and the nozzle module 86 has a second inlet 102, wherein a drink can flow through the first inlet 100 and the gas, i.e. carbon dioxide, can flow through the second inlet 102 into the carbonation device 80. The inlets 100, 102, i.e. the longitudinal axes D1 , D2 of the inlets 100, 102, are arranged parallel to one another. The line 49 is connected to the first inlet 100. The line 822 is connected to the second inlet 102. For supplying the drink entering via the first inlet 100 to the mixing chamber module 86, the carbonation device housing 84 comprises a drink flow channel 104 having a channel section 1041 forming the inlet and an angled channel section 1042. The channel section 1042 is angled in such a way that an acute angle a is formed between a longitudinal axis D3 of the channel section 1042 and the longitudinal axis D2. As a result, the carbonation device 80 comprises a flow path through which the drink and the gas flow; this path is Y-shaped. MF. P.24003. WO / DD 13.12.2024

[0062] - 13 -

[0063] An outlet 103 is provided at an end of the mixing chamber module 86 facing away from the carbonation device housing 84 for discharging the carbonated or sparkling drink from the mixing chamber module 86, wherein the outlet 103 is fluidically connected to the drink outlet 382 via the line 822.

[0064] The mixing chamber module 86 is tubular in shape and is inserted into the through opening with a first end section. An inner circumferential surface of the tubular mixing chamber module 86 defines a mixing chamber 861 , in which the drink and the gas are mixed. To inject the gas into the mixing chamber 861 , the nozzle module 88 projects with a nozzle tip into the mixing chamber module 86. To inject the drink from the drink flow channel 104 into the mixing chamber 861 , there are formed in the wall of the mixing chamber module 86 a plurality of flow channels 862 which extend from the end face of the mixing chamber module 86 and the mixing chamber 861 . At the end facing the mixing chamber 861 , the flow channels 862 each form a nozzle, which are arranged at a tangential distance from one another.

[0065] The nozzle module 88 comprises a flow channel 881 which extends between the second inlet 102 and the mixing chamber 861.

[0066] When the drink is being carbonated, the drink first flows through the first inlet 100 and the gas through the second inlet 102 into the carbonation device 80. The drink flows through the drink flow channel 104 and into an annular channel 106, which is defined by the nozzle module 86 and the housing 84. Starting from the ring channel 106, the drink flows through the flow channels 862 formed on the mixing chamber module 86 into the mixing chamber 861. The gas flows through the flow channel 881 , which is designed in a stepped manner so that the diameter decreases at each step via a nozzle into the center of the mixing chamber 861 . The nozzles of the flow channels 862 surround the nozzle of the nozzle module 88 radially, wherein the gas and the drink flow via the nozzles with a common inflow direction into the mixing chamber 861 . In the mixing chamber 861 , the gas and the drink mix in such a way that carbonated drink can flow out through the outlet 103. MF. P.24003. WO / DD 13.12.2024

[0067] - 14 -

[0068] When operating the drink preparation device 10, a user can select via a user interface (not shown) the state in which the drink is to be available at the drink outlet 382 or at a tap, i.e. still / uncooled, still / cooled, carbonated / uncooled and carbonated / cooled. Based on the selection of the state of the desired drink, the components of the drink preparation device 10, in particular the pump 481 , the inlet valve 482, a bypass valve 110 for bypassing the cooling device 30 and / or the compressor 72, are controlled by a control unit 112 arranged within the housing 20.

Claims

MF. P.24003. WO / DD 13.12.2024- 15 -Claims1 . Drink preparation device, comprising a carbonation device (80) for carbonating a drink, a cooling device (30) for cooling the drink, a housing (20) defining a housing interior (26), wherein the carbonation device (80) and the cooling device (30) are arranged in the housing interior (26), and a connecting device (37) comprising a gas inlet (39), a drink inlet (381 ) and a drink outlet (382), such that a drink mass flow flowing in through the drink inlet (381 ) can be mixed with a gas flowing in through the gas inlet (39) in the carbonation device (80) and / or can be cooled in the cooling device (30).

2. Drink preparation device according to claim 1 , wherein the cooling device (30) is arranged upstream of the carbonation device (80).

3. Drink preparation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an inlet valve (481 ) and / or a pump (482) are arranged downstream of the drink inlet (381 ).

4. Drink preparation device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (20) has an external width of 15 to 30 cm, an external height of 25 to 50 cm and an external depth of 5 to 20 cm.

5. Drink preparation device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cooling device (30) comprises a cooling housing (32), a drink line (40), a coolant line (50) and a heat transfer means (60), wherein the drink line (40), the coolant line (50) and the heat transfer means (60) are arranged in the cooling housing (32), wherein the coolant line (50) can be flowed through by a coolant, which flows through a cooling unit (70), and the drink line (40) can be flowed through by a drink, and wherein the heat transfer means (60) is configured in suchMF. P.24003. WO / DD 13.12.2024- 16 - a way that heat transfer between the coolant line (50) and the drink line (40) occurs via the heat transfer means (60).

6. Drink preparation device according to claim 5, wherein the heat transfer means (60) comprises a phase change material.

7. Drink preparation device according to claim 5 or 6, the drink line (40) and / or the coolant line (60) comprising a helical line section (42, 52), wherein the helical line section (42) of the drink line (40) and the helical line section (52) of the coolant line (50) extend around a common axis (S) and are interleaved with one another.

8. Drink preparation device according to claim 5, 6 or 7, the cooling housing (32) comprises a cooling interior (34) that comprises a circular cross-section, wherein the helical line section (42) of the drink line (40) and the helical line section (52) of the coolant line (50) are arranged in the cooling interior (34).

9. Drink preparation device according to one of claims 5 to 8, wherein a heat insulation module (36) is arranged on an outer circumferential surface of the housing (32).

10. Drink preparation device according to one of claims 5 to 9, wherein the cooling unit (70) and the coolant line (50) form a refrigerant circuit and the coolant is a refrigerant, wherein the cooling unit (70) comprises a first heat exchanger (74), a compressor (72) and a throttle element (76).11 . Drink preparation device according to claim 10, whereinMF. P.24003. WO / DD 13.12.2024- 17 - the first heat exchanger (74) is arranged at a housing opening (28) within the housing (22), wherein a fan (75) is arranged at the first heat exchanger (74) for providing a cooling air flow.

12. Drink preparation device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the carbonation device (80) is configured in a modular way such that the carbonation device (80) comprises a separate carbonation housing (84), a separate mixing chamber module (86) and a separate nozzle module (88), wherein the mixing chamber module (86) and the nozzle module (88) are each removably connected to the carbonation housing (84).

13. Drink preparation device according to claim 12, wherein the nozzle module (88) and the mixing chamber module (86) are inserted into the carbonation housing (84), wherein the nozzle module (88) and / or the mixing chamber module (86) are connected to the carbonation housing (84) via a quickconnect mechanism (90, 92).

14. Drink preparation device according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the nozzle module (88) is inserted in sections into the mixing chamber module (86).

15. Drink preparation device according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the mixing chamber module (86) comprises at least one flow channel (862) at an end facing the carbonation housing (84), which channel extends from the side of the mixing chamber module (86) facing the carbonation housing (84) of the mixing chamber module (86) to a mixing chamber (861 ), wherein an inlet (100) formed on the carbonation housing (84) is fluidically connected to the flow channel (862).

Images