EP3218299B2 - Beverage preparation device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a beverage preparation device with at least one liquid inlet, a beverage dispensing device comprising at least one beverage outlet, a liquid line network fluidically connecting the at least one liquid inlet and the at least one beverage outlet, and a housing, the housing comprising an upper housing cover, with a valve carrier underneath the upper housing cover is arranged on which at least two control and/or regulating valves of the beverage preparation device are arranged and are freely accessible after removing the upper housing cover, and wherein a housing base is essentially trough-shaped and includes an integrally formed liquid collection container.

Beverage preparation devices of the type described above are known, for example, in the form of so-called water dispensers, which are used in particular to dispense treated drinking water. Housings of such water dispensers are usually made of sheet metal and also have metallic frame parts. Furthermore, individual components, for example solenoid valves for controlling a liquid flow through the liquid line network, are distributed in the housing essentially in any way and are connected to the liquid line network. This results in problems when carrying out regular maintenance and occasional repairs of the beverage preparation devices, which lead to time-consuming and therefore costly interventions, not least because individual components of the beverage preparation devices are difficult to access.

From the WO 2013/112895 A1 a modular drinks dispenser is known. Another drinks dispenser is in the WO 02/12805 A1 described. The US 2012/0055954 A1 relates to a multiple distributor system for beverage dispensers WO 92/21607 A1 a convertible drinks dispenser is known. In the GB 2 247 848 A describes a device for dispensing beverages. The US 2007/0266861 A1 relates to beverage dispensers having a drip tray assembly. From the WO 2013/087607 A2 a drip tray for a drinks dispenser is known.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to improve beverage preparation devices of the type described at the outset in such a way that in particular their assembly and maintenance is simplified.

In the case of a beverage preparation device of the type described at the outset, this object is achieved according to the invention by a beverage preparation device according to claim 1.

The development proposed according to the invention makes it possible, in particular, to be able to access particularly maintenance-intensive components of the beverage preparation device easily and quickly, for example for maintenance or repair purposes. In particular, the at least two control and/or regulating valves can be arranged in the housing in a clear and easily accessible manner. Only the top housing cover has to be removed in order to be able to access the control and/or regulation valves directly without bypassing other components. Such an arrangement also enables simple assembly and a clear arrangement of the liquid line network and any electrically conductive connecting lines within the housing. According to the invention, it is provided that a housing base is essentially trough-shaped and includes an integrally designed liquid collection container. In particular, trough-shaped does not mean that an essentially complete area of the housing base has to form the trough. This can also only take up part of the area defined by the bottom of the housing. The liquid collection container can in particular serve the purpose of collecting liquid that has escaped in the event of leaks, so that it does not run out of the housing and, for example, impinge on a floor or a piece of furniture on which the beverage preparation device is set up with a liquid flowing through the liquid line network in an undesired manner and in particular can pollute. It is advantageous that the housing base has a housing base surface set back from a housing base exterior pointing away from the housing cover in the direction of the housing cover and that the liquid collecting container at least partially surrounds the housing base surface. In particular, the liquid collection container can be designed in the form of a partially or completely encircling channel, which defines a volume in order to receive not only liquid in the event of a leak, but also, for example, condensed liquid that can condense inside the housing, for example, if the beverage preparation device is optional includes a cooling device. The cooling device can be used, for example, to cool a liquid or a beverage flowing through the beverage outlet, specifically before or during the flow through the beverage outlet. In particular, this can be advantageous in connection with a carbonator in order to efficiently add carbon dioxide to the liquid. The housing base designed in the manner described with the recessed housing base surface also makes it possible in particular to position components of the beverage preparation device in such a way that there is no risk that, in the event of liquid escaping from the liquid line network, this Components can be permanently flooded with liquid. They are therefore arranged higher than the liquid collection container and can therefore be arranged with optimal protection.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the housing is designed in the form of a self-supporting housing, that the housing comprises a plurality of housing parts made of a plastic and that at least some of the housing parts have component holding devices for holding further components forming the beverage preparation device . In particular, the proposed development has the advantage that the weight of the beverage preparation device can be significantly reduced by designing the housing with housing parts made partially or entirely of plastic compared to beverage preparation devices available on the market. In addition, the component holding devices make it possible to easily mount further components of the beverage preparation device on at least some of the housing parts. For example, line or cable holders can be provided on one or more housing parts in order to attach cables to them, for example by clipping them in place. However, they can also be receptacles into which, for example, valves, switches or electrically operated units of the beverage preparation device can be inserted and mounted with or without additional fastening elements.

Advantageously, a separate frame of the housing can be dispensed with in particular if the housing is at least partially formed from self-supporting plastic components. For example, the top cover and/or a side wall of the housing can not only have the function of closing the housing, but also of carrying or holding at least some of the components contained therein, which are arranged on the respective self-supporting plastic component.

The housing parts preferably include in particular the valve carrier, the upper housing cover, a housing rear wall, a housing front wall, a right and a left housing side wall, an intermediate housing part arranged between the housing front wall and the housing rear wall, and a housing base. The intermediate housing part is not absolutely necessary. In addition, one or more of the housing parts mentioned can also be formed in one piece with one another. In particular, it is possible, for example, to form the parts mentioned from a plastic material and also in a self-supporting manner, so that no additional frame components that impart stability to the beverage preparation device are required.

It is advantageous if cable holding elements for fixing connecting lines and/or cables are arranged or formed on at least some of the housing parts. In particular, the cable holding elements can be formed integrally with one or more housing parts. In particular, this configuration facilitates the assembly of connecting lines and/or cables on the housing, since neither screws nor clamps or hooks or other elements are required to fix the connecting lines and/or cables to the housing.

The cable holding elements are favorably designed in the form of lugs or hooks. This makes it possible, in particular, to feed connecting lines and/or cables, for example, through lugs or to hang them in hooks on one or more housing parts, so that they can be arranged easily and quickly during assembly. In addition, the clarity of the structure of the beverage preparation device can also be improved in this way.

In order to be able to control a liquid flow through the liquid line network, in particular automatically, it is favorable if the at least two control and/or regulating valves are designed in the form of electrically controllable valves.

It is advantageous if the at least two control and/or regulating valves have a valve drive for opening and/or closing them. For example, the valve drive can be in the form of an electromagnetic or pneumatic valve drive. A position of the control and/or regulating valves can be changed by an electrical or pneumatic control current, for example in order to permit or prevent a liquid flow through the liquid line network. The at least two control and/or regulating valves preferably have a valve inlet and a valve outlet, which point in opposite directions from one another. In particular, longitudinal axes of the valve inlet and the valve outlet can run parallel to one another or even coincide. With an arrangement of at least two control and/or regulation valves on the valve carrier, it is thus possible to arrange the control and/or regulation valves in such a way that both the valve inlet and the valve outlet are freely accessible after removing the upper housing cover.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the at least two control and/or regulating valves are arranged on the valve carrier in such a way that their valve inlets and valve outlets point in the direction of a rear side of the housing or in the direction of a front side of the housing. In particular, all the control and/or regulating valves can be arranged in the manner described. This allows connecting lines of the liquid line network be connected to the at least two control and/or regulating valves in a clear manner and in the same orientation.

It is also advantageous if the at least one control and/or regulating valve is arranged on the valve carrier in such a way that the valve drive is arranged between the valve inlet and the valve outlet on the one hand and the housing cover on the other. This is to be understood in particular in such a way that the valve drive can be arranged directly below the upper housing cover, ie is freely accessible when this is removed from the housing. The valve drive then sits above, ie facing the upper housing cover, the valve inlet and the valve outlet.

In order in particular to control and/or regulate a liquid flow through the liquid line network as a function of pressure, it is advantageous if the beverage preparation device comprises a pressure switch. In particular, at least one pressure switch which interacts with or is connected to the liquid line network and/or a CO ₂ line network can be arranged on the valve carrier. Due to the special arrangement of the valve carrier, the pressure switch is then also easily accessible, for example in order to carry out measurements on it for test purposes. In particular, the pressure switch can be a CO ₂ pressure switch, which can _, for example, send a control signal to a control and/or regulating device of the beverage preparation device if a CO ₂ -Line network associated CO ₂ storage, especially a CO ₂ bottle, is empty.

In order to mount cables or connecting lines easily and arrange them clearly, the beverage preparation device can have at least one cable routing device. In particular, this can be designed in the form of a cable duct or several similarly or identically designed cable holders. In particular, it is advantageous if the valve carrier has a cable routing device and if electrical connecting lines of the beverage preparation device to electrically controlled components arranged in particular on the valve carrier are routed on or in the cable routing device. With this configuration, in particular electrical connecting lines and optionally also connecting lines of the liquid line network can be laid in the housing in a defined and clear manner.

It is advantageous if the valve carrier defines a longitudinal axis which extends transversely to a connecting line between a front side of the housing and a rear side of the housing. Alternatively, the valve carrier can also define a longitudinal axis which extends parallel or essentially parallel to a connecting line between a front side or a rear side of the housing. In any case, such a valve carrier makes it possible to arrange and attach components to it in the same way and in a defined manner.

In order to be able to empty the liquid collection container in a simple manner, it is advantageous if it has a liquid collection container outlet for emptying liquid collected therein. In particular, the liquid reservoir outlet may be in the form of an aperture defining an axis parallel or substantially parallel to a line connecting the housing bottom to the housing top cover. For example, the liquid collection container can be emptied via a hose connected to the liquid collection container outlet or simply by holding another container underneath.

In order to prevent the liquid collection container from being able to overflow, it is favorable if the beverage preparation device comprises a detector for determining the fill level of liquid collected in the liquid collection container. In particular, a control signal generated by the detector can be used to deactivate the beverage preparation device as a precautionary measure, if necessary, in order to prevent damage to the same or the undesired escape of liquid in the event of the liquid collecting container overflowing. For example, the control signal can be used to automatically close an inlet valve on the at least one liquid inlet.

The valve carrier is fixed to a housing rear wall on the one hand and/or to a self-supporting intermediate housing part held on the housing floor or to a housing front wall on the other hand. Such a configuration makes it possible, for example, to close the housing with housing side walls that can be removed without affecting the stability of the housing in order to access the interior of the housing and the components arranged therein for maintenance, repair and/or cleaning purposes can. In addition, with a corresponding configuration and an arrangement in the manner described, the valve carrier optionally also forms a reinforcement or strut of the housing.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the left and/or the right housing side wall are arranged on the other parts of the housing that form the housing so that they can be removed without dismantling other parts of the housing. For example, the right and/or the left housing side wall can be connected to the remaining housing parts in a latchable manner. Optionally, it is also possible to additionally secure the housing side walls with fastening elements such as screws or clamps.

The rear wall of the housing preferably has a passage for the liquid inlet and/or an opening for a mains connection device for electrically conductive connection to a power supply. The passage for the liquid inlet makes it possible in particular to connect the beverage preparation device to a water supply network, for example to a water tap. In order to operate electrical components of the beverage preparation device, the mains connection device makes it possible to connect the beverage preparation device to an electrical supply network. Optionally, the beverage preparation device can also be designed in such a way that it can be operated independently of the mains, for example with a battery arranged in the housing. In this case, a mains connection device and an opening for this can then be dispensed with.

The beverage preparation device can be connected to a mains power supply in a simple manner if the mains connection device is designed in the form of a mains plug connection socket. It is thus possible, for example, to connect the beverage preparation device to a mains power supply using a standard mains connection cable.

In order to enable a drink to be removed with as little loss as possible and to avoid as far as possible undesired impact on the surroundings of the beverage preparation device when a drink prepared with it is removed from the beverage outlet, it is favorable if the beverage preparation device comprises a drip tray which is arranged below the beverage outlet. With the drip tray, in particular, liquid escaping from the beverage outlet that does not get into a container to be filled, for example a glass or a mug, can be caught.

In order to be able to empty the drip tray in a simple manner, it is advantageous if it can be pushed at least partially into the housing in the manner of a drawer and can be completely pulled out of it for emptying.

In order to prevent liquid from the beverage outlet that does not get into the container to be filled from splashing the beverage preparation device or an operator, it is advantageous if the drip tray has a trickling filter with a convexly curved trickling filter surface pointing in the direction of the beverage outlet. Due to this special shape of the trickling filter, any liquid that hits it is deflected in the desired way and caught by the drip tray. In order to prevent dirt from penetrating into the drip tray, it is advantageous if the drip tray comprises a drip tray cover which at least partially closes the part of the drip tray protruding from the housing and has a drip tray cover opening. Liquid dripping down from the beverage outlet can get into the drip tray in particular through the drip tray cover opening.

The drip body is advantageously arranged in such a way that an annular opening is formed between the drip body surface and the drip tray cover opening. In particular, the opening can be arranged slightly above a lowest boundary line of the dripping filter surface, so that drops of liquid deflected by the dripping filter reach the drip tray through the annular opening without wetting the drip tray cover.

Advantageously, the beverage preparation device comprises a beverage outlet valve assigned to the beverage outlet for controlling dispensing of a beverage. For example, operating elements can be arranged on the housing, with which the dispensing of a liquid through the beverage outlet can be requested by an operator. In particular, these operating elements can be operatively connected to the beverage outlet valve, so that it opens at the request of an operator and optionally closes again automatically.

The beverage outlet valve can be controlled in a simple manner if it is designed in the form of an electrically controllable and/or adjustable valve. In principle, it would be conceivable to connect the liquid inlet to a local liquid reservoir, for example a water tank having a defined volume. However, it is advantageous for continuous operation of the beverage preparation device if the at least one liquid inlet is designed in the form of a water inlet for connection to a tap of an external drinking water network. For example, the tap can be designed in the form of a water tap, which can be fluidically connected to the liquid inlet via a pipe or hose connection.

In order to remove impurities from the liquid flowing in through the liquid inlet, it is favorable if the beverage preparation device comprises at least one filter device for filtering the liquid flowing in through the at least one liquid inlet.

The filter device favorably comprises at least one water filter. This can in particular be a mechanical filter. For example, the water filter can be designed in the form of a filter cartridge, which can be arranged in a corresponding housing and installed in the liquid line network in such a way that the liquid flowing through the liquid inlet flows through the filter device at least once before exiting from the beverage outlet.

In order to prevent or at least reduce the penetration and multiplication of germs in the liquid flowing through the liquid line network, it is advantageous if the beverage preparation device comprises a sterilization device for sterilizing the liquid flowing through the liquid line network. In particular, the sterilization device be in the form of a dosing device that releases germicidal chemicals into the liquid line network.

In order to avoid the need for chemicals to sterilize the liquid flowing through the liquid network, it is advantageous if the sterilization device includes a UV light source for irradiating the liquid flowing through the liquid line network with UV radiation.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the beverage preparation device comprises a carbon dioxide mixing device with a carbon dioxide outlet for charging the liquid flowing in the liquid line network with carbon dioxide. In this way, carbonated beverages can be produced with the beverage preparation device. In particular, optional carbonization of the liquid can be specified individually by the user.

In order to be able to introduce carbon dioxide into the liquid to be prepared in a simple manner, the carbon dioxide outlet is advantageously in fluid connection with the liquid line network.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the carbon dioxide mixing device comprises an outlet valve for controlling and/or regulating a carbon dioxide flow through the carbon dioxide outlet. The outlet valve makes it possible, in particular, through appropriate wiring, for a user of the beverage preparation device to be able to individually enrich the beverage he or she wants with carbon dioxide or not. Alternatively or additionally, the carbon dioxide can also be admixed via the control of a valve in the associated line section of the liquid line network, namely in that when an operator of the beverage preparation device requests that water mixed with CO ₂ be dispensed, water is fed through the "inline" into the liquid line network, so to speak " integrated carbon dioxide blender and then flows to the output. In this way, CO ₂ is admixed in an unregulated manner. If a carbonation boiler is used as the carbon dioxide mixing device, water flows into the carbonator boiler in a controlled manner and the CO ₂ pressure prevailing there pushes or presses the water-CO ₂ mixture to the outlet.

The beverage preparation device can be designed to be particularly compact if the carbon dioxide mixing device includes a carbon dioxide reservoir. In particular, the carbon dioxide store can be designed in the form of a carbon dioxide compressed gas cylinder. This can be inserted into the housing, for example, before the start of operation of the beverage preparation device and fluidly connected, for example, to the outlet valve of the carbon dioxide mixing device. If the carbon dioxide storage is empty, it can be easily replaced.

Furthermore, it is favorable if the beverage preparation device comprises a central control and/or regulation device for controlling and/or regulating components of the beverage preparation device that can be actuated, in particular electrically. In this way it can be ensured that electrically actuable components are only actuated when this is actually desired and should also be so for safety reasons. For example, liquid flows through the liquid line network can be controlled in a targeted manner by opening and closing valves. In particular when operating a carbonator, it is important that a maximum liquid pressure in the liquid line system is not exceeded.

It is advantageous if the beverage preparation device comprises a component carrier on which the other components forming the beverage preparation device are arranged or can be arranged. For example, the component carrier can be optimally shaped and designed to accommodate the additional components. For example, it can include a receptacle for a carbon dioxide store and for a filter device and/or a sterilization device.

The other components forming the beverage dispensing device preferably include the at least two control and/or regulating valves, the at least one pressure switch, the sterilization device, the carbon dioxide mixing device and/or the central control and/or regulating device. This list is not final. In addition, any combination of the specified components can be arranged in the beverage preparation device and connected ready for operation. In particular, an individual configuration of the beverage preparation device is possible, optionally also its individual retrofitting with components that were not installed when the beverage preparation device was delivered.

The beverage preparation device is advantageously designed in the form of a water dispenser for dispensing drinking water. The water dispenser, which can also be referred to as a drinking water dispenser, is preferably designed in the form of a pipe-connected water dispenser. This means in particular that the water dispenser can be connected to a tap of an external water supply network, so that drinking water can be continuously prepared and delivered to a user according to his or her needs. Optionally, the beverage preparation device can also include other dispensing devices, for example to introduce flavorings into the water.

Figur 1:

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Wasserspenders von vorn;

Figur 2:

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Wasserspenders von hinten;

Figur 3:

eine perspektivische Ansicht des Wasserspenders ähnlich Figur 1 mit abgenommener oberer Gehäuseabdeckung;

Figur 4:

eine Ansicht auf den Wasserspender in Richtung des Pfeils A in Figur 3;

Figur 5:

eine perspektivische Ansicht des Wasserspenders von hinten ohne obere Gehäuseabdeckung, Gehäuserückwand und linker Gehäuseseitenwand;

Figur 6:

eine vergrößerte Teilansicht eines Ventilträgers des Wasserspenders;

Figur 7:

eine teilweise Explosionsdarstellung des Wasserspenders von vorn;

Figur 8:

eine vergrößerte Teilansicht des Wasserspenders im Bereich des Getränkeauslasses;

Figur 9:

eine perspektivische Ansicht des Wasserspenders von vorn mit abgenommener Frontabdeckung;

Figur 10:

eine teilweise geschnittene perspektivische Ansicht des Wasserspenders von vorn;

Figur 11:

eine perspektivische vergrößerte Ansicht des Wasserspenders im Bereich einer Tropfschale mit abgenommener Tropfschalenabdeckung;

Figur 12:

eine perspektivische Ansicht des Gehäusebodens mit eingesetzter Tropfschale;

Figur 13:

eine schematische Prinzipskizze des Aufbaus des Wasserspenders.

The following description of preferred embodiments of the invention is used in connection with the drawing for more detailed explanation. Show it:

Figure 1:

a perspective view of a water dispenser from the front;

Figure 2:

a perspective view of a water dispenser from behind;

Figure 3:

a perspective view of the water dispenser similar figure 1 with top case cover removed;

Figure 4:

a view of the water dispenser in the direction of arrow A in figure 3 ;

Figure 5:

a perspective view of the water dispenser from behind without the top housing cover, housing rear wall and left housing side wall;

Figure 6:

an enlarged partial view of a valve carrier of the water dispenser;

Figure 7:

a partially exploded view of the water dispenser from the front;

Figure 8:

an enlarged partial view of the water dispenser in the area of the beverage outlet;

Figure 9:

a perspective view of the water dispenser from the front with the front cover removed;

Figure 10:

a partially sectioned perspective view of the water dispenser from the front;

Figure 11:

a perspective enlarged view of the water dispenser in the area of a drip tray with the drip tray cover removed;

Figure 12:

a perspective view of the bottom of the housing with the drip tray used;

Figure 13:

a schematic outline sketch of the structure of the water dispenser.

In the figures, an exemplary embodiment of a beverage preparation device 10 in the form of a water dispenser 12 is shown schematically as an example. It is designed for the treatment of drinking water and is preferably designed to be pipe-connected.

The water dispenser 12 comprises a liquid inlet 14, optionally several liquid inlets can also be provided, and a beverage outlet 16, from which treated drinking water 18 can be filled into a container 20, for example a glass.

The beverage outlet 16 is part of a beverage dispensing device 22 which can optionally include a beverage outlet valve 24 . The beverage outlet valve 24 is designed in particular to control the delivery of a beverage and can be designed to be controlled and/or regulated electrically or pneumatically. For example, an electromagnetic drive 26 for opening and closing the beverage outlet valve 24 can be provided.

The liquid inlet 14 and the beverage outlet 16 are fluidically connected to one another via a liquid line network 28 . It comprises a plurality of connecting lines 30 which fluidly connect individual components of the beverage preparation device 10 through which water flows.

The water dispenser 10 further includes a housing 32 having a removable housing top cover 34 forming one of a plurality of housing sections 36 . The housing parts 36 are, in particular, self-supporting plastic components 38 made of plastic, for example by injection molding. an optionally self-supporting right-hand housing wall 46, an optionally self-supporting left-hand housing wall 48, a self-supporting intermediate housing part 50 arranged between the housing front wall 42 and the housing rear wall 40, and a self-supporting housing base 52. The cover 44 can be designed, for example, in the form of a glass pane.

Furthermore, a component or valve carrier 54 forms part of the housing 32. It is self-supporting and connected on the one hand to the intermediate housing part 50 and on the other hand to the housing rear wall 40, for example screwed and/or latched. The housing base 50, the housing rear wall 40, the housing intermediate part 50 and the valve carrier 54 form a self-supporting frame 56 of the water dispenser 12, on which its further housing parts 36 and the components required for its operation are arranged.

The right housing wall 46 and the left housing wall 48 can be removed, as can the housing top cover 34, without this having a significant effect on the stability of the water dispenser 12. In particular for maintenance and repair purposes, a housing interior 58 defined by the housing 32 can thus be easily opened in order to be able to access components arranged therein essentially freely.

The valve carrier 54 is positioned in the housing interior 58 in such a way that control and/or regulating valves 64 can be inserted directly from above into valve receptacles 60 correspondingly provided on the valve carrier 54 .

The control and/or regulating valves 64 are preferably in the form of electrically controllable valves and include a valve drive 66. In particular, an electromagnetic valve drive 66 can be provided for opening and closing the control and/or regulating valves 64.

The control and/or regulating valves 64 each have a valve inlet 68 and a valve outlet 70 . As in particular in the Figures 3 to 6 clearly visible, the control and/or regulating valves 64 are arranged on the valve carrier 54 in the valve receptacles 60 in such a way that their valve inlets 68 and their valve outlets 80 point in the direction of a front side 72 or a rear side 74 of the housing. In addition, the valve drives 66 are arranged between the valve inlets 68 and the valve outlets 70 on the one hand and the housing cover 34 on the other hand. This makes it possible, in particular, after the housing cover 34 has been removed, to access the control and/or regulating valves 64 or a pressure switch 76 in a pressure switch receptacle 62 that is inserted into a pressure switch receptacle 62 . This arrangement simplifies the assembly of the control and/or regulating valves 64 and also their maintenance and, if necessary, repair. Preferably, all components that require intensive maintenance can be arranged so that they are easily accessible for a user.

In figure 13 an electrical connection line 78 to a preferably central control and/or regulation device 80 is shown schematically for a pressure switch 76 and a control and/or regulating valve 64, from which at least some, preferably all, of the electrically controllable and/or regulated Components of the water dispenser 12 can be controlled. In particular, the control and/or regulating device 80 can be operatively connected to an actuating element 82 via a further connecting line 78, so that an operator, as a result of actuating the actuating element 82, for example embodied in the form of a push button or pressure switch, and valve closing processes and optionally also pump cycles by the control and/or regulating device 80 and/or in particular the drive 26 of the beverage outlet valve 24 is actuated by it in such a way that drinking water 18 flows out of the beverage outlet 16 into the container 20.

Valve carrier 54 also has a cable routing device 84 comprising two cable ducts 86, which are formed on the end face of valve carrier 54 and are aligned transversely to a longitudinal direction defined by this , ie parallel to the cable ducts 86. The valve carrier 54 and the cable ducts 86 together form a one-piece component.

In order to be able to quickly and easily mount the control and/or regulating valves 64 or the pressure switch 76 on the valve carrier, fastening elements 88 are arranged on the valve receptacles 60 and the pressure switch receptacles 62, preferably in the form of latching elements 90 protruding essentially in the direction of the housing cover 34 or educated. They make it possible to clip the control and/or regulating valves 64 into the valve receptacles 60 or the pressure switch 76 into a pressure switch receptacle 62 from above. Further fastening elements for fixing the components described on the valve carrier 54 are then not absolutely necessary.

Electrical connecting lines 78 of the beverage preparation device 10 can be routed in the cable ducts 86 in a particularly space-saving and nevertheless clear manner and routed to the electrically controllable and/or adjustable components arranged on the valve carrier 54 .

In particular, cable holding elements can also be arranged or formed on the housing parts 36 , for example in the form of cable duct-like recesses or cable clips formed integrally with the respective housing part 36 . In particular, these make it possible to lay connecting lines and/or cables that can be laid to form the liquid line network 28 or for the electrically conductive connection of electrically actuated or controllable components of the water dispenser 12 . The cable holding elements can optionally also be in the form of tabs or hooks. Projections 94 and 98 pointing into the housing interior 58 are used to connect hooks, rails and/or guides for holding the housing walls 46, 48. The projections 94, 98 are preferably hollow so that they are not visible on an external visible side of the housing base 52 .

Even if in the Figures 1 to 12 the connecting lines 30 and the connecting lines 78 are not shown, it is nevertheless easy to understand that these can be attached in a defined and clear manner to the self-supporting plastic components 38 in particular.

The housing base 52 is at least partially trough-shaped and includes a liquid collection container 100. This is formed integrally with the housing base 52. A case bottom surface 102 of the case bottom 52 faces toward the case top cover 34 and is recessed toward the case cover 34 relative to a case bottom exterior 104 .

The liquid collection container 100 at least partially surrounds the housing bottom surface 102 . As in figure 12 to recognize, the liquid collection container 100 surrounds the housing bottom surface 102 in a substantially U-shape. Both the liquid collection container 100 and the housing bottom surface 102 are delimited by a bulkhead 106 projecting in the direction of the housing cover 34 in the manner of a flange.

Inside the housing 58 water runs out of a of the components or a connecting line 30, it can flow from the housing bottom surface 102 into the liquid collection container 100. In order to remove water that has collected therein, the liquid collection container 100 has a liquid collection container outlet 108 . This is designed in the form of a bore, which is arranged below the housing rear wall 40 and can be closed with a plug, not shown in the figures.

In order to prevent electrical components of the water dispenser 12 from being able to come into contact with liquid, a detector 110 for determining a filling level of liquid 112 collected in the liquid collecting container 100 is provided. Detector 112 can include, in particular, a reed contact that can be actuated by means of a float, which is connected to control and/or regulating device 80 via an electrically conductive connecting line 78, for example in order to deactivate water dispenser 12 or, in particular, an electromagnetically actuatable inlet valve 114, which is connected to the liquid inlet 14 downstream, to prevent the liquid collection container 100 from overflowing.

As already indicated, the left and/or right side wall of the housing are designed in such a way that they can be removed without dismantling other parts of the housing 32 .

A passage 116 in the form of a circular opening is preferably arranged on the housing rear wall 40 and is used for passage of the liquid inlet 14 . Furthermore, an opening 118 for a mains connection device 120 for electrically conductive connection to a mains supply can also be provided on the housing rear wall 40 . The mains connection device 120 can be designed in particular in the form of a mains plug connection socket, which can be connected to a first end of a standardized mains connection cable, the other end of which can be inserted into a socket, for example a domestic socket.

The water dispenser 12 also includes a drip tray 122 which is designed like a drawer and can be pushed partially into the housing 52 . For emptying, the drip tray 122 can be pulled out completely from a recess 124 provided for this purpose, which is formed in the housing floor 52 . The drip tray 122 is arranged in the direction of gravity below the beverage outlet 16 and below the cover 44.

A drip tray cover 126 is used to close the part of the drip tray 122 protruding from the housing 52. The drip tray cover 126 has a circular drip tray cover opening 128, which is formed in the center of an annular drainage surface 130 that slopes in the direction of the drip tray cover opening 128.

In the drip tray 122 , a drip body 132 pointing in the direction of the drip tray cover 126 is formed in one piece with the drip tray 122 . It essentially has the shape of a truncated cone and ends in a trickling filter surface 134 which is slightly convexly curved in the direction of the beverage outlet 16 . As in particular in figure 1 As can be seen clearly, the dripping body 132 is arranged and designed in such a way that an annular opening 136 is formed between the dripping body surface 134 and the drip tray cover opening 128 . If liquid 18 drips onto the drainage surface 130, it is guided through the opening 136 into the drip tray 122. If a drop of liquid hits the dripping body surface 134, then it is deflected in a defined manner and also guided through the opening 136 into the drip tray 122.

The liquid inlet 14 is designed in particular in the form of a water inlet for connection to a tap 138 of an external drinking water network 140 . In particular, this makes it possible to use the water dispenser 12 to continuously prepare drinking water 18 and make it available.

The water dispenser 12 can optionally include a filter device 142 with which water flowing through the liquid inlet 14 is filtered out of the drinking water network 140 . The filter device 142 can in particular comprise at least one water filter 144. This can be designed in particular in the form of a water filter cartridge that can be replaced at regular intervals.

Furthermore, the water dispenser 12 can optionally include a sterilization device 146 for sterilizing the water flowing through the liquid line network 28 . For example, the sterilization device 146 can include a UV light source 148 for irradiating the liquid flowing through the liquid line network 28 with UV radiation.

As an alternative or in addition to the disinfection device 146, a thermal hygienization device can also be provided, with which a thermal hygienization of the water dispenser can be carried out. In this case, hot water is circulated for a specific time in the water dispenser, in particular in the liquid line network 28, and then flushed out. Furthermore, it is also possible to carry out a chemical cleaning of the water dispenser, in which a cleaning solution is introduced into the liquid line network 28 and rinsed out again after a certain dwell time in the water dispenser.

In order to add carbon dioxide to the drinking water 18, the water dispenser 12 can optionally also include a carbon dioxide mixing device 150 with a carbon dioxide outlet 152 for charging the liquid flowing in the liquid line network 28 with carbon dioxide. For this purpose, the carbon dioxide outlet 152 is in fluid connection with the liquid line network 28 .

In order to be able to carry out the carbon dioxide delivery as required, the carbon dioxide mixing device 150 can comprise an outlet valve 154 for controlling and/or regulating a carbon dioxide flow through the carbon dioxide outlet 152 . In particular, outlet valve 154 can be controlled by control and/or regulation device 80, for example depending on the actuation of an actuating element 156 provided for this purpose, which is operatively connected to control and/or regulation device 80. Alternatively, the carbon dioxide can also be admixed in a different way, namely purely mechanically via the secondary pressure set on a pressure reducer and the water pressure present on a mixer. For example, with a water dispenser with an inline mixer, it is possible to add CO ₂ to the water of 4.5 g CO ₂ per liter of water, which roughly corresponds to a table water medium. In the case of water dispensers with a carbonator boiler, on the other hand, the water is mixed with 6.5 g CO ₂ per liter of water. Such water dispensers allow so-called “pure CO ₂ water” to be dispensed, which roughly corresponds to classic table water, or even medium-sparkling water to be dispensed. The latter can be obtained, for example, by the intermittent admixture of unsparged cold water controlled by the control and/or regulating device 80 .

For the provision of carbon dioxide, a carbon dioxide reservoir 158 can be arranged either externally, possibly in a vertical column 166, or internally, for example on a special receptacle with an integrated pressure reducer. The special receptacle with the pressure reducer can be installed behind the door formed by the front wall 42 in the intermediate housing part 50 or can be screwed on at the top. The carbon dioxide reservoir 158 can in particular be designed in the form of a carbon dioxide compressed gas cylinder which is in fluid communication with the carbon dioxide mixing device 150 via a pressure line 162 .

Furthermore, the beverage preparation device 10 can also include a heating device, not shown in the figures, for heating water and/or a beverage prepared ready for dispensing, for example in the form of a boiler, which is inserted into a receptacle 160 provided for it on the housing base 52.

The intermediate housing part 50 is preferably embodied in the form of a component carrier 164, on which one or more components of the water dispenser 12, in particular the disinfection device 146, the carbon dioxide mixing device 150 and/or the central control and/or regulation device 80, can be arranged.

The water dispenser 12 can be used in particular as a tabletop device in the figure 1 illustrated designs are set up or arranged on the pedestal 166, which can be used in particular to accommodate a supply of carbon dioxide bottles or beverage cups.

reference list

10

beverage preparation device

12

water dispenser

14

liquid inlet

16

beverage outlet

18

Drinking water

20

container

22

beverage dispenser

24

beverage outlet valve

26

drive

28

liquid line network

30

connection line

32

Housing

34

housing cover

36

housing part

38

plastic component

40

rear panel

42

housing front panel

44

cover

46

right housing wall

48

left housing wall

50

housing intermediate part

52

caseback

54

valve carrier

56

Frame

58

housing interior

60

valve mount

62

pressure switch mount

64

Control and/or regulation valve

66

valve drive

68

valve inlet

70

valve outlet

72

case front

74

case back

76

pressure switch

78

connection line

80

Control and/or regulation device

82

actuator

84

cable management device

86

Cabel Canal

88

fasteners

90

locking element

94

head Start

98

head Start

100

liquid collection container

102

case bottom surface

104

case back exterior

106

bulkhead

108

Fluid collection tank outlet

110

detector

112

liquid

114

intake valve

116

execution

118

breakthrough

120

Mains connection device

122

drip tray

124

recess

126

drip tray cover

128

Drip tray cover breach

130

drain surface

132

trickling filter

134

trickling filter area

136

opening

138

tap

140

drinking water network

142

filter device

144

water filter

146

disinfection device

148

UV light source

150

carbon dioxide emission device

152

carbon dioxide outlet

154

outlet valve

156

actuator

158

carbon dioxide storage

160

Recording

162

pressure line

164

component carrier

166

pillar

Claims (15)

1. Drink preparation apparatus (10) with at least one liquid inlet, a drink delivery device comprising at least one drink outlet (16), a liquid conduit network (28) fluidically connecting the at least one liquid inlet (14) and the at least one drink outlet (16), and a housing (32), wherein the housing (32) comprises an upper housing covering (34), and wherein arranged below the upper housing covering (34) is a valve support (54) on which at least two control and/or regulating valves (64) of the drink preparation apparatus (10) are arranged and are freely accessible after removing the upper housing covering (34), wherein a housing base (52) is of substantially pan-shaped configuration and comprises an integrally formed liquid reservoir (100), characterized in that the housing base (52) has a housing base surface (102) which is set back in the direction toward the housing covering (34) from a housing base outside (104) pointing away from the housing covering (34), in that the liquid reservoir (100) at least partially surrounds the housing base surface (102), and in that the valve support (54) is secured on a housing rear wall (40) on the one hand and on a self-supporting intermediate housing part (50), held on the housing base (52), or a housing front wall (42) on the other hand.
2. Drink preparation apparatus in accordance with Claim 1, characterized in that

   a) the housing (32) is configured in the form of a self-supporting housing (32), in that the housing (32) comprises a plurality of housing parts (36) made of a plastic, and in that at least a part of the housing parts (36) have component holding devices for holding further components forming the drink preparation apparatus (10),
   and/or

   b) the housing (32) is formed at least partially of self-supporting plastic components (38).
3. Drink preparation apparatus in accordance with Claim 2, characterized in that

   a) the housing parts (36) comprise in particular the valve support, the upper housing covering (34), a housing rear wall (40), a housing front wall (42), a right and a left housing side wall (46, 48), an intermediate housing part (50) arranged between the housing front wall (42) and the housing rear wall (40), and a housing base (52),
   and/or

   b) cable holding elements (92, 94) for securing connecting lines and/or cables, in particular integrally formed cable holding elements (92, 94), are arranged or formed on at least a part of the housing parts (36),
   wherein in particular the cable holding elements (92, 94) are configured in the form of tabs or hooks.
4. Drink preparation apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the at least two control and/or regulating valves (64)

   a) are configured in the form of electrically controllable valves
   and/or

   b) have a valve drive (66), in particular an electromagnetic one, for opening and/or closing the same.
5. Drink preparation apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the at least two control and/or regulating valves (64) have a valve inlet (68) and a valve outlet (70) which point in opposite directions from each other.
6. Drink preparation apparatus in accordance with Claim 5, characterized in that

   a) the at least two control and/or regulating valves (64) are arranged on the valve support (54) in such a way that the valve inlets (68) and the valve outlets (80) thereof point in the direction toward a housing rear side (74) of the housing (32) or in the direction toward a housing front side (72) of the housing,
   and/or

   b) the at least one control and/or regulating valve (64) is arranged on the valve support (54) in such a way that the valve drive (66) is arranged between the valve inlet (68) and the valve outlet (70) on the one hand and the housing covering (34) on the other hand.
7. Drink preparation apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that

   a) at least one pressure switch (76) cooperating with or connected to the liquid conduit network (28) and/or a COz conduit network (162) is arranged on the valve support (54)
   and/or

   b) the valve support (54) has a cable guiding device (84), and in that electrical connecting lines (78) of the drink preparation apparatus (10) are routed to electrically controlled components arranged in particular on the valve support (54) or are routed in the cable guiding device (84)
   and/or

   c) the valve support (54) defines a longitudinal axis which extends transversely to a line of connection between a housing front side (72) and a housing rear side (74) of the housing (32)
   and/or

   d) the liquid reservoir (100) has a liquid reservoir outlet (108) for emptying liquid collected therein
   and/or

   e) in that the drink preparation apparatus comprises a detector (110) for determining a fill level of liquid (112) collected in the liquid reservoir (100).
8. Drink preparation apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that

   a) the left and/or the right housing side wall (46, 48) are removable without disassembling further parts of the housing (32) on which further parts of the housing (32) forming the housing (32) are arranged
   and/or

   b) the housing rear wall (40) has a passage for the liquid inlet (14) and/or a perforation for a mains connecting device (120) for electrically conductively connecting to a power grid,
   wherein in particular the mains connecting device (120) is configured in the form of a mains plug connector socket.
9. Drink preparation apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding Claims, characterized by a drip tray (122) which is arranged beneath the drink outlet.
10. Drink preparation apparatus in accordance with Claim 9, characterized in that the drip tray (122)

    a) is insertable at least partially into the housing (52) in the manner of a drawer and is completely withdrawable therefrom for emptying
    and/or

    b) has a drip body with a convexly curved drip body face (134) pointing in the direction toward the drink outlet (16)
    and/or

    c) comprises a drip tray covering (126) which at least partially closes the part of the drip tray (122) protruding out of the housing (52) and has a drip tray covering perforation (128),
    wherein in particular the drip body (132) is arranged in such a way that an annular opening is formed between the drip body face (134) and the drip tray covering perforation (128).
11. Drink preparation apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that

    a) the drink preparation apparatus comprises a drink outlet valve (24), associated with the drink outlet (16), for controlling a drink delivery,
    wherein in particular the drink outlet valve (24) is configured in the form of an electrically controllable and/or regulatable valve,
    and/or

    b) the at least one liquid inlet (14) is configured in the form of a water inlet for connecting to a tapping point (138) of an external drinking water network (140)
    and/or

    c) the drink preparation apparatus comprises at least one filter device (142) for filtering the liquid flowing in through the at least one liquid inlet (14),
    wherein in particular the filter device (142) comprises at least one water filter (144),
    and/or

    d) the drink preparation apparatus comprises a disinfecting device (146) for disinfecting the liquid flowing through the liquid conduit network (28),
    wherein in particular the disinfecting device (146) comprises a UV light source (148) for irradiating the liquid flowing through the liquid conduit network with UV radiation.
12. Drink preparation apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding Claims, characterized by a carbon dioxide mixing device (150) with a carbon dioxide outlet (152) for loading the liquid flowing in the liquid conduit network (28) with carbon dioxide.
13. Drink preparation apparatus in accordance with Claim 12, characterized in that

    a) the carbon dioxide outlet (152) is in fluidic connection with the liquid conduit network (28)
    and/or

    b) the carbon dioxide mixing device (150) comprises an outlet valve (154) for controlling and/or regulating a carbon dioxide flow through the carbon dioxide outlet (152)
    and/or

    c) the carbon dioxide mixing device (150) comprises a carbon dioxide store (158), in particular in the form of a carbon dioxide compressed gas cylinder.
14. Drink preparation apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding Claims, characterized by

    a) a central control and/or regulating device (80) for controlling and/or regulating in particular electrically actuatable components of the drink preparation apparatus (10)
    and/or

    b) a component support (164) on which the further components forming the drink preparation apparatus (10) are arranged or arrangeable.
15. Drink preparation apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that

    a) the further components forming the drink preparation apparatus (10) comprise in particular the at least two control and/or regulating valves (64), the at least one pressure switch (76), the disinfecting device (146), the carbon dioxide mixing device (150), and/or the central control and/or regulating device (80)
    and/or

    b) the drink preparation apparatus (10) is configured in the form of a water dispenser (12), in particular in the form of a mains-connected water dispenser (12), for delivering drinking water (18).

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