Apparatus for making hot drinks

p0001The invention relates to a device for making hot drinks with a liquid reservoir arranged therein electric heating element, a power supply part and a collecting vessel for the prepared drink.

p0002Devices of this type are very widely used in the form of coffee machine or tea machines (DE-B 11 66 949). The disadvantage of these coffee machines and similar devices of the aforementioned is that the preparation of the beverages is very complicated, since water or other liquid and a Aufguß- or Brühmittel separately portioned and must be entered into the apparatus. These devices have the further disadvantage that they comprise many parts which need to be cleaned. Finally, these devices for use in cars, planes, etc. are not suitable because they occupy much space and the liquid can spill out when moving the vehicle. Additional amenities while traveling often no source of suitable liquids, mostly water.

p0003The object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the aforementioned type, which can also be used to travel very easily and conveniently.

p0004The inventive solution is that the fluid reservoir as separate from trained as a holder for the container part power supply part, by itself is formed at a predetermined vessel internal pressure irreversibly opening valve sealed unit is provided with contacts for the transmission of electrical current, which via an electrical line are connected to the heating element and is insertable or inserted into the collecting container, that is located in the operating position the collection space is essentially below the storage container, and that the current supply to the heating element is designed such that it is interrupted when the valve opens.

p0005Thus, the apparatus comprises a liquid storage container which is sealed. In this way, you have the same in the form of liquid reservoir defined quantities of liquid available when you leads several such liquid reservoir with it. The liquid can be water or, for example, milk or any other liquid. The liquid may also be in the frozen form, especially when it is not well preserved, such as milk. The fluid reservoir is not provided with a fixed power supply, but also has contacts for the transmission of electrical power on. For heating the liquid, the reservoir may then be connected to a power supply, for example in an appropriate supply unit can be inserted, which is connected to corresponding electrical contacts and is connected to a power source, for example, the 6-volt, 12 volt or 24-volt battery of a vehicle.

p0006The liquid reservoir is initially closed by the valve. If the liquid reservoir connected to the electric power supply and is heated by the fluid, then the internal pressure increases, since the liquid and any entrained gas volume is heated and emerge dissolved gases such as oxygen and carbon dioxide in the form of bubbles from the liquid in the water and thereby also increase the pressure. At a predetermined internal pressure when the liquid has so experience has shown that reached the necessary temperature, the valve opens irreversibly, and it flows out liquid. As the opening operation is irreversible, after the valve does not shoot again so that all the liquid flows out through the valve even after the internal pressure has again assumed by the opening of the valve the normal value.

p0007Simultaneously, the current connection is permanently broken to the heater, so that here the container can not be damaged by the fact that he will continue to be heated even when empty with the opening of the valve.

p0008In the operating position below the liquid container is the sump, into which the liquid flows. For this collection container, the liquid can be removed then, be drunk, for example.

p0009In collecting could be arranged, for example, the dry materials a aufzubrühenden soup.

p0010but in many cases you want to initiate a brew or Aufgußvorgang by the brewing or spot-entering the collection, such as coffee or tea. In this case expediently provided that in the operating position below the valve a sealed through a sieve or filter pantry is provided for a brew or infusible. Appropriately, the brewing or infusible is fixed at the bottom of the storage space, which for example can be achieved by that the brewing or infusible included not only down through the filter or screen, but also by an arranged above corresponding filter plate or the like is.

p0011But it can also be provided that the scalding or infusible is arranged in a destructible by heat foil pouch, which is also located in the storage space. This film bag bursts then under the effect of the hot fluid, is prevented by the filter or screen that he can get into the collecting container. Such sheet-shaped bags are particularly useful for liquid scalded or Aufgußmaterialien, for example in the production of grog, mulled wine or the like.

p0012A particularly space-saving embodiment is characterized in that the collecting the reservoir into the operating position laterally and completely encloses the bottom, said tank and reservoir also may be fixed to each other already.

p0013In this embodiment is expediently provided that the tray is provided with a lateral tubular duct for extracting the beverage. Through this lateral channel the drink can then be drunk directly, for example, or it may be at the mouth of the channel a drinking aid be introduced, such as a straw or a pacifier. It can be provided either at the drinking aid or in the mouth of the extraction passage seals so that no liquid can run out from drinking aid and mouth.

p0014Will from reservoir and collecting and heating etc. existing parts supplied as a compact container unit, as the opening of the extraction passage is conveniently sealed with a peelable film. In this case, not only the liquid, but also the brewing or infusible is hermetically sealed before heating the liquid or before the consumption of the heated beverage. In particular, the collecting container can not be contaminated in this manner.

p0015Particularly in the aforementioned container unit, it is expedient if this is provided with an operating position in the side near the top protruding flange for insertion into a power supply unit and to hold the same.

p0016Conveniently, the container unit is provided with upper contacts, said it but is convenient for many applications, when the container unit is provided with lateral contacts.

p0017The bracket and power supply unit can in particular be formed foldable so that it can be folded away to save space when not in use. In addition, they may be provided with a light source in order to facilitate the insertion of the container unit, for example. The holder can also be arranged fixed, for example in vending machines. They may also be designed so that it can be inserted for example into a corresponding recess of a wall, or can be otherwise sunk.

p0018Particularly It has proven expedient if the valve comprises a cylindrical element which is encompassed by an annular seal of the bottom of the reservoir and in the operating position below has a smaller diameter portion, wherein the reservoir is designed such that its bottom at increasing pressure moves downward. This valve works in such a way that the storage container is provided with the valve open on the head and the liquid is filled. Then the curved bottom is pressed against its bias to the inside; in this position he snaps, in which case the seal with the larger diameter portion of the cylinder comes into contact and seals hermetically here. Any increase of the internal pressure due to warming, the soil is gradually pushed out again. At a certain position, it will then bulge suddenly all the way down because of its bias, the arrangement is made such that the seal enters the smaller diameter portion of the cylindrical element. At this point it can no longer be sealed so that the liquid can flow in a desired manner through the valve.

p0019In another embodiment, the floor is indeed rigid, the side wall of the reservoir but is provided with an annular, bellows-like region which is also biased to a position out in the soil is pressed relatively far down. When filling of the supply container, this is accomplished with a vacuum, so that the closed container maintains a position due to the negative pressure, in which the bottom assumes an upper position. If the liquid is heated, the floor strives to move downwards, whereby it is however hindered by the friction at said valve. Only when a sufficiently large pressure and thus sufficiently high temperature to the ground then moved downwards, with the valve open then the now relaxed bellows the ground pushes down so that the valve remains in the open position.

p0020Advantageously, it is provided that the power supply comprises of the contacts to the heating element outwardly prestressed spring elements which can be released into a position in downward moving bottom, in which the connection is interrupted.

p0021However, the contacts of the container may also be constructed and arranged so that the current connection between the contact elements of the holder and the contacts is interrupted, which are arranged on the container. The contacts may be arranged for this purpose in bellows-like recesses of the container and move upon release of an initial overpressure inside. This is achieved in that the bellows of the recess, although endeavors to press the contacts inside, but this is at first prevented by the internal pressure of the container which is filled with over-pressure. Is by the heating then the pressure is further increased, so that the valve opens and the overpressure is removed so the contacts move due to the movement of the bellows-like walls to the inside, so that no electrical contact is no longer present to the power line.

p0022Conveniently, the recesses for the contacts on the cover are arranged and cooperate with spring-loaded contact elements of the power supply portion, which are provided with a mechanical stop for limiting its movement towards the container interior, so that these movable contact elements the container contacts a certain distance can only follow so that here sure the contact is broken.

p0023The contact elements may be mounted on a lever which has a movable stop for the container rim. In this case, the first retracted contact elements by insertion of the container via leverage in the recesses are brought into contact with the contacts. When the container is then pulled out again, then the contact elements of the power supply section to move upwards again, so that the extraction of the container is not prevented. Especially in this embodiment it is advantageous if the holder has a resiliently yielding detent device for the container so that the container is not pushed out by the spring force of the movable stopper from the power supply part.

p0024The contacts themselves can for example be sealing rivets that pass through the container wall. It is particularly expedient has proved to make the contacts from metal plates which are deformed cup-shaped in the central region, an edge region remains the sealing contact with the vessel wall, with only the face of the cup-shaped portion passes through the container wall to located with there contacts of the power supply to make contact.

p0025Of course, the reservoir must be sufficiently stable that only its bottom substantially deformed. Usually it will have a cylindrical side wall that can withstand large prints. The cover will be more or less flat. Here, however, a corresponding support surface may be provided in the power supply unit against which the lid surface of the container can be supported when the internal pressure increases.

p0026In an advantageous embodiment, between the liquid reservoir and a collection container at least partly releasable connection is provided, such as a parting line with a tear strip. After preparation of the beverage or soup of these strips can be torn off, so that the reservoir can be folded away so that the soup or the drink is better to enjoy. Then can then be folded back on the container of the reservoir, so that there is no exposed contaminated through feed or liquid residues surfaces. The reservoir could also be so connected to the collecting container, that it can be completely separated from the collection container.

p0027The invention is described below by means of advantageous embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:<dl id="dl0001"><dt>Fig. 1</dt><dd>in a vertical section a embodiment of the invention;</dd><dt>FIG. 2</dt><dd>in detail view, the container unit of Figure 1, which is inserted into a holder with power supply.</dd><dt>Fig. 3</dt><dd>a detailed view of the container of Figure 2 in an opposite of Figure 1 rotated by 90 ° position..;</dd><dt>Fig. 4</dt><dd>in plan view the partially opened container;</dd><dt>Fig. 5</dt><dd>the opening movement of the valve in two different movement phases;</dd><dt>Fig. 6</dt><dd>training of contact of the container unit;</dd><dt>Fig. 7</dt><dd>another design of contact;</dd><dt>Fig. 8</dt><dd>a drinking aid to be used in connection with the container;</dd><dt>Fig. 9-12</dt><dd>A particularly advantageous form a contact in a view similar to that of Figure 1 in a horizontal section, in plan view from the inside and in a horizontal section.</dd><dt>Fig. 13</dt><dd>another embodiment of the storage container and of the contact;</dd><dt>Figs. 14 and 15</dt><dd>in a section of another embodiment of the container;</dd><dt>Fig. 16</dt><dd>a section through the power supply part with the movable contact elements;</dd><dt>Fig. 17</dt><dd>a detailed view of the contact element of Fig 16 in a different position. and</dd><dt>FIGS. 18 and 19</dt><dd>a further embodiment of the invention in two different positions.</dd></dl>

p0028As shown in Fig. 1, is located in a collecting container 1 which is provided with a lateral outlet channel 2, a reservoir 3, which is filled with a liquid. The containers have a substantially cylindrical shape and are closed by a cover. 4 The bottom 5 of the storage container 3 is arched and biased so that it assumes the dashed lines in FIG. 1 subscribed convex shape. By means of a snap-lock connection 6 is provided on the hopper 3, another container 7 is placed, which contains in a lower annular portion or the scalding infusible eighth The container 7 has in the range of the material 8 on the bottom a sieve or a filter. 9 Upwardly the material may be 8 also fixed through a sieve or a filter.

p0029The container 7 comprises centrally and axially on a cylindrical mandrel 10 which in the upper region (at 11) a substantially larger thickness than 12 in a central region against the thicker portion 11 of the mandrel 10 of the container bottom 5 is provided with the help of a lip seal 13 sealed. Above the container bottom there is an electric heating element 14 in the form of a heating wire, which is connected via contact springs 15 with contacts sixteenth

p0030As shown in Fig. 2, the container can be inserted into a power supply part 17, which is fastened with a fastening part 18 to a wall 19, wherein the power supply part 17, which may be connected to a battery or other power grid, to a shaft 20 is pivotable and has an illumination device 21st

p0031The filling of the tank in the following manner. The bottom 5 has the first shape shown in broken lines, so that the lip seal 14 does not seal against the thinner portion 12 of the mandrel 10th In this position, the container is turned upside down and filled. Subsequently, the bottom 5 is pressed inwards into the position shown in the FIG. By solid lines, in which it remains. In this case, the container is by the lip seal 14, which now rests on the thicker mandrel portion 11 closed. Subsequently, the lower tank 7 is placed with the scalding or Aufgußmaterialien on the container. 3 Instead of the shown solid Brühmaterialien 8 can be included in the space of the container 7 and a foil pouch with for example liquid Brühstoffen. the container is then subsequently 3 used in the sump 1 and fixed there permanently if you do not prefer the reservoir 3 with liquid and Brühstoff separate from the container 1 to deliver and store what would have the advantage that only one or a few containers 1 could be used again and again.

p0032As shown in Fig. 4, the container 1 is provided at its upper edge with a flange 22 with which it can be inserted into the power supply part 17 and held there. In the embodiment of Figs. 1 and 2 the lid 4 is curved, which prevents falling out of the container from the power supply part 17. but the lid could also be a flat shape, which would be particularly useful for automatic devices.

p0033In FIG. 5, the above state is shown in which the valve is closed when the base 5 is in the upper position. In this case the leads 15 in electrical contact with the heating element 14. For this purpose, are corresponding slots are provided in an inserted by a snap connection element 23rd The leads 15 are formed as springs which are loaded outwardly. The seal 13 includes in the upper position-tight against the thickened cylindrical part 11th If the pressure, so the bottom is folded down after overcoming the neutral position due to the bias, so that on the one hand, the sealing lip 13 no longer abut against the central mandrel, since they are now in the thinner portion 12th On the other hand the contact springs 15 is no longer prevented by the body 23 in an outward movement so that they spring away to the outside, whereby the contact with the heating element 14 is prevented. The liquid can now leak through the valve, wherein the side of the member 23 passing also can take place an exchange of air, so that rather than liquid is retained by a negative pressure in the reservoir.

p0034In Figs. 6 and 7, other types of contacts are shown, with which the container unit is to be supplied with power. Since the leads 15 are in the liquid, and have a larger cross section than the heating element, is very little heat to the contacts 16 and thus led to the vessel wall.

p0035In Fig. 8 it is shown that in the opening of the extraction duct 2 a drinking aid can be introduced in the form of a drinking straw, the lip seals 24 and a lid member 25 is provided so that the drinking aid 26 rests sealingly against the opening of the extraction duct 2. This opening is closed prior to use of the container with a film 27, which is indicated in Fig. 4.

p0036In FIGS. 9 to 12, a contact 16 is shown, which is made of a plate by stamping and comprises a central cup shaped portion with which the contact is made, while a peripheral region connecting to the container inside. The images show the arrangement in cross-section, in longitudinal section, in a view from the inside and in a horizontal section.

p0037Fig. 13 shows a detailed view of an embodiment in which the base 5 is, unlike in the embodiments previously mentioned rigid. However, it is provided on the side of the wall of the reservoir 3, an annular bellows-like portion 28 which is biased so that it strives to push the bottom 5 down to the dotted line position. The container is filled with negative pressure, so that the bellows-like portion 28 is compressed. Upon heating, the soil is then pushed downward, wherein the bellows-like portion 28 gives way. After overcoming the friction of the valve 10-13 and the valve of the bottom then jumps due to the bias permanently in the open position.

p0038In Figs. 14 and 15 another embodiment of the container is shown. There, the contacts are connected via fixed lines 16 29 with the heating element 14, the contact element can be exclusively held by the lines 29, so that it can float freely in the tank. 3 Special holding elements are not necessary for the heating element 14, which makes the production cheaper. The container is filled with pressure, so that bellows-like side walls 30 of recesses 31, at the bottom thereof, the contacts 16 are disposed, compressed. In this position, the contacts 16 touch the contact elements 32 of the power supply section 17 so that the container contents can be heated.

p0039Has, as shown in Fig. 15, the valve 10-13 is opened, prevails in the container 3 is no more over-pressure and the bellows-like walls 30 move downward, whereby the contact between the contact elements 32 of the power supply part 17 and the contacts 16 of the container is interrupted.

p0040In this embodiment, the mandrel 10 extends to the bottom of the outer container 1 and is fixed there by a projection 33rd In about half the height it has a collar 34, through which the other container 7 is pushed upwards, so that it can not be solved by the fluid reservoir. 3 Between 3 and container wall of the container 7 a simple sealing means 35 is arranged. It is here not so complicated snap-lock connection, or similar connection as in the embodiment of FIG. 1 is necessary.

p0041The contact elements 32 of the power supply section 17 are stamp-shaped and slidably received in corresponding bores 36, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17. By the contact elements 32 engages resilient arm 37 therethrough, which is pivotably mounted at the 38th The lever 37 is extended at 39 about the pivot point 38 also. At this lever arm 39 is engaged by a tension spring 40, the lever 37 biases anti-clockwise, so that the contact member 32 is normally retracted into the holder 17, so that the container without hindrance can be inserted in the power supply part 17th

p0042On the levers 37, 39 is still a movable stopper 41 is attached, which is pivoted in the clockwise direction upon insertion of the container 1 in Fig. 16 so that the spring-loaded lever 37, the contact element 32 presses down until the lever 37 assumes the position, which is indicated at 37 'in Fig. 16 and 17. In this position, the lever presses 37, the contact element 32 against the contact 16 and thus provides the electrical connection. moves the bellows-like section 30 down, so the arm rotates 37 further clockwise until it assumes the position 37˝ in which it contacts a stop 42nd From that moment, the contact element can contact 32 not to follow 16 further so that the electrical connection is permanently broken. If the cup 1 then pulled out so the force acting on the lever 41 force is removed, so that the contact 32 back 16 moved back into the position of FIG. And the cup can be removed from the power supply part 17.

p0043Thus the cup 1 can not be shifted out of the power supply part 17 by the spring-loaded lever 41, a spring-loaded, locking device. Not shown in the Figure is provided for retaining the cup in the retracted position, is engageable with a rail-like guide projection 43 for example, the is shown in FIGS. 14 and 15.

p0044Instead of bellows-like recesses, the contacts could be 16 attached to bellows-like projections which are first forced through the pressure outward, but are biased to move toward the contacts upon release of the initial positive pressure at least partially toward the container lid. 4 In this case, the contact elements 32 of the power supply portion 17 could be easily formed.

p0045In Figs. 18 and 19 a further embodiment of the device the invention is shown, wherein the apparatus is shown from the side in the view of FIG. 14 and 15 perpendicular direction. One difference from the embodiment of FIGS. 14 and 15 is that the lid 4 of the reservoir 3 is arranged not horizontally, but at an angle, which on one hand has the advantage that can collect an air bubble in the uppermost part. On the other hand, characterized the beverage is easier and the container sits securely during the heating process in the holder. Next, the mandrel 10 is not fixed to the bottom of the collection container, but the container 7, which also bears the brewing or infusible eighth This has the advantage that the mandrel 10 is moved out of the brewed material when the device is opened, as shown in Fig. 19. For this purpose, the device has a horizontal parting line 45, which is closed with a tear-off band 44th After removal of the tear strip 44 of the container as shown in Fig. 19 can be opened. If desired, the dividing line 45 is not be interrupted in a remaining region so that the container parts remain contiguous as shown in Fig. 19. The dividing line 45 may also be continuous, so that the two parts can be separated.