Embodiments of the disclosure are explained in more detail in the following, using the drawings. Shown are:
Also contained in the housing 2 is a steam generator 8, which, in turn, is shown only schematically. The steam generator 8 can have any design that is expedient for drink machines, and has a separate outlet (not depicted) or is connected to the outlet 3, in order to provide the user with steam for, for example, heating water for tea preparation, frothing milk or other purposes.
The steam preparer 8 is furthermore connected via a line 9 and a valve 9a to a device 10 for heating or preheating the drinking vessels 5.
Depicted in
In the following, preferred embodiments of the device 10 are described, each of which is suitable for use with the drink machine 1 shown in
The device 10 contains a receptacle mechanism 11 for the drinking vessel 5, whereby said receptacle mechanism 11 contains a cover 12 with a covering surface 12a for the opening of the drinking vessel 5. The covering surface 12a is dimensioned in such a way that it seals the opening of the drinking vessel 5 and, with a sealing surface, preferably lies across the entire surface on the upper rim of the drinking vessel 5, so that contact between the covering surface 12a and the upper rim of the drinking vessel 5 provides a closure for the interior 5a of the drinking vessel 5 all along the circumference. The sealing surface can be formed by a smooth, level surface for contact across the entire surface with the rim of the drinking vessel or can be formed such that it is elastically pliable or the like. In the depicted embodiment, the covering surface 12a is formed as a base pointing upwards, on which the inverted drinking vessel 5 rests. The cover 12 has the shape of a panel or plate and the covering surface 12a is level, horizontal and sufficiently large in diameter so that even drinking vessels 5 with a large diameter can be securely supported.
The receptacle mechanism 11 furthermore contains a steam delivery 13, which contains a steam intake 14 that is connected to a steam preparer 8 via the valve 9a. The steam intake 14 empties into a steam distribution chamber 15, which is located on the side of the cover 12 that faces away from the covering surface 12a, i.e., preferably below the cover 12. The pressure of the introduced steam is reduced in the steam distribution chamber 15 and the steam looses any condensate that may have been carried along. At least one opening 16, emptying into the covering surface 12a, extends through the cover 12 (depicted are two openings, spaced next to one another at some distance apart), through which the steam can flow from the distribution chamber 15 into the interior 5a. The opening 16 is formed as a simple through-hole in the cover 12 and does not necessarily have to have the character of a nozzle, so that the steam flow velocity does not become too great and endanger the user.
The cover 12 can, however, also be provided with a steam-permeable area (not depicted) with a multiple number of openings 16, which, for example, is formed as a perforated area, a sieve or a weave or the like.
In the depicted embodiment, the steam intake 14 empties into the steam distribution chamber 15 at the delimiting wall of the steam distribution chamber 15 that lies opposite the cover 12 and is essentially centric with the covering surface 12a. The opening 16, on the other hand, is offset to the side of the inlet 14, so that the inlet 14 and the opening 16 are not aligned with each other, thereby forming a labyrinth section for the steam. The opening 16 is (or the openings 16 are) located, however, within the covering surface 12a and preferably so close to its center line (which is particularly important if more than one opening 16 is provided) that even small drinking vessels 5 can be easily preheated. The steam distribution chamber 15 is large enough to supply all provided openings 16 with steam.
The receptacle mechanism 11 furthermore contains a condensate collection mechanism 17. This uses the steam distribution chamber 15 as a condensate collector and contains a condensate outlet line 18, which is preferably provided at the lowest point of the steam distribution chamber 15. If the device 10 according to the disclosure is arranged on the drainage plate 4, the condensate can also be simply guided into the drainage pan.
The valve 9a is acted upon by the control mechanism 6, whereby the valve 9a can be opened by the user, for example, via one of the operating elements 7. The closing of the valve 9a can either likewise be effected by the user or it can take place automatically after the expiration of a predetermined time.
To preheat a drinking vessel, the user places the drinking vessel upside down on to the covering surface 12a and arranges the drinking vessel 5 in such a way that all openings 16 are covered, which can be simplified by a suitable marking on the covering surface 12a. Then the valve 9a is opened and steam flows via the inlet 14 into the steam distribution chamber 15 and from there through the openings 16 into the interior 5a of the drinking vessel 5, where it then preheats the drinking vessel. The condensate that arises flows back through the openings 16 into the steam distribution chamber 15 or arises in the steam distribution chamber 15, and is collected and taken away via the condensate outlet 18. After the conclusion of the steam delivery, the user can remove the drinking vessel 5 from the device 10 again and, for example, place it under the outlet 3 for filling.
The embodiment 10b depicted in
The already described valve 9a is furthermore provided in the steam delivery 13. As a result of the arrangement of two valves, i.e., the first valve 9a and the second valve 21, even greater safety for the user is achieved.
The embodiment 10b of the device 10 is operated by the user placing his/her drinking vessel 5 inverted, as described using
In
In this embodiment, the steam intake 14 empties at a right angle into a vertical center line 16′ of the opening 16. In this way, the steam flow can first abate before it goes through the opening 16. Preferably, however, the steam intake 14 empties tangentially into a roughly circular-cylindrically shaped steam distribution chamber 15, so that a cyclonic-like flow results in the steam distribution chamber 15, leading to a strong abatement of the steam flow, so that users are not endangered. The abatement of the steam flow can be further increased by an upper edge 15a, which is bent inwards, i.e., into the steam distribution chamber 15, whereby this upper edge 15a extends around the opening 16 and particularly holds back the cyclonic-like flow in the steam distribution chamber 15, i.e., prevents it from escaping through the opening 16, until the speed of the steam has been sharply reduced.
As in the preceding embodiments, the condensate conduction 18 empties from the bottom of the steam distribution chamber 15 that lies opposite the opening 16, i.e., close to or at the lowest point, but preferably offset to the side of the centre line 16′.
In a modification of the described and drawn embodiments, the device according to the disclosure can be modified by means of having the drinking vessel come into contact with the covering surface with the opening pointing upwards, either by lowering the covering surface on to the drinking vessel or by pressing the drinking vessel from below against the covering surface. As a result, the steam delivery naturally comes from above. The steam delivery can furthermore be opened by means of only a single valve, for example, only by the mechanical valve. The valve or valves can also have other construction designs. Where appropriate, a curvature in the steam delivery is sufficient as a labyrinth section. The steam delivery can also be provided into the cover from the side and then, for example, reach the interior of the drinking vessel through openings arranged in the line at right angles to the flow direction of the steam.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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06 014 755.0 | Jul 2006 | EP | regional |