Metering device for temperature-controlled beverages

Abstract

A metering device for the metered withdrawal of free-flowing beverages and sauces from at least one storage container, including at least one chamber having an inlet for receiving the liquid from the storage container and an outlet for dispensing the metered liquid into a vessel, wherein the metering device has at least one temperature control device that heats or cools the metered liquid, wherein the metering device has two chambers that are arranged one above the other and are connected to one another in a fluid-conducting manner by a connecting channel, and wherein a vertically displaceable push rod extends along a longitudinal axis of the housing, through the outlet, the second chamber, the connecting channel, the first chamber, and the inlet, and, depending on the vertical position, the push rod closes the outlet and/or the connecting channel in a fluid-sealing manner and actuates the closure.

Claims

1. A metering device (1) for the metered withdrawal of free-flowing beverages and sauces from at least one storage container (26), made up of at least one chamber (8, 9) having an inlet (15) for receiving the liquid from the storage container (26) and an outlet (19) for dispensing the metered liquid into a vessel (21), wherein the metering device (1) has at least two chambers (8, 9) that are arranged one above the other, and are connected to one another in a fluid-conducting manner by a connecting channel (12), and a vertically displaceable push rod (5) extends through the outlet (19), the second chamber (9), the connecting channel (12), the first chamber (8), and the inlet (15), and, depending on the vertical position, the push rod (5) closes the outlet (19) and/or the connecting channel (12), characterized in that the metering device (1) is made up of a one-part, block-like housing (2) that contains the at least two chambers (8, 9), and the metering device (1) has at least one temperature control device (22, 23, 27) that heats or cools the metered liquid.

2. The metering device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the push rod (5) has a one-part design, and has a portion (14) with a larger diameter and at least two sealing surfaces (28, 30) that rest against the outlet (19) of the second chamber (9) and/or the connecting channel (12) in a fluid-sealing manner.

3. The metering device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the metering device (1) has an exchangeable adapter (4) that establishes a fluid-conducting connection between different storage containers (26) and the inlet (15).

4. The metering device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the metering device (1) in the region of the inlet (15) has a movable closure (7) that is actuatable by the push rod (5).

5. The metering device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first chamber (8) is larger than the second chamber (9).

6. The metering device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that each chamber (8, 9) has its own temperature control device (22, 23, 27).

7. The metering device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the chambers (8, 9) have a shared temperature control device (22, 23, 27).

8. The metering device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the push rod (5) in the region of the outlet (19) is coupleable to a dispensing valve (20).

9. The metering device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the push rod (5) in the region of the outlet (19) has a metering valve (11) that is supported in the vertical direction with respect to the bottom side of the housing (2) by means of a spring assembly (13).

10. The metering device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the metering device (1) is made of stainless steel.

11. The metering device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the metering device (1) is made of aluminum.

12. The metering device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the adapter (4) is situated within an upper part (3) that is detachably connected to the housing (2).

13. The metering device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the entire housing (2) has a heatable or coolable design.

14. The metering device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing (2) is made of a highly thermally conductive material.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] In the drawings:

[0032] FIG. 1: shows a schematic partial section of the metering device according to the invention.

[0033] FIG. 2: shows a side view of the metering device.

[0034] FIG. 3: shows a schematic illustration of the metering device.

[0035] FIG. 4: shows a perspective illustration of the metering device.

[0036] FIG. 5: shows a perspective illustration of the housing.

[0037] FIG. 6: shows a side view of the metering device without lift.

[0038] FIG. 7: shows a side view of the metering device with lift.

[0039] FIG. 8: shows a section A-A of the metering device with lift shown in FIG. 7.

[0040] FIG. 9: shows an illustration of the push rod according to the invention in a first embodiment.

[0041] FIG. 10: shows an illustration of the push rod according to the invention in a second embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] FIG. 1 shows in a general manner that the metering device 1 is made up essentially of a housing 2 with at least two (metering) chambers 8, 9. The housing 2 has an upper part 3 in the top area. The upper part 3 is preferably detachably connected to the housing 2, and preferably has a cylindrical coupling unit, within which an adapter 4 for the storage container 26 is situated.

[0043] The adapter 4 is exchangeable, and is used as a fixing device for the storage container 26. For example, a bottle in the inverted position may be held with its neck or its body in the metering device 1 with the aid of the adapter 4. However, the adapter 4 may also be designed in such a way that it holds a hose or canister that supplies the first chamber 8 with the desired liquid via the inlet 15.

[0044] As stated above in the general description section, the metering device 1 according to the invention may withdraw a liquid from different storage containers 26. The exchangeable adapter 4 thus establishes a fluid-tight connection between the storage container 26 and the housing 2 or the inlet 15 of the housing 2. Also situated in the region of the inlet 15 is a closure 7 that closes the inlet 15 with respect to the storage container 26. The closure 7 is preferably actuated by the push rod 5.

[0045] The closure 7 is situated in a coupling unit 6 that is detachably mounted with respect to the housing 2. The detachable coupling unit 6 allows, among other things, removal of the closure 7 for cleaning and maintenance operations, and in addition, different types of closures 7 may thus be inserted into the same housing 2. The closure 7 is generally designed in such a way that it drops into its closed position due to the force of gravity or a spring or the fluid pressure of the storage container 26 when the push rod 5 is retracted. When the push rod 5 is pushed upwardly in the vertical direction, the closure 7 opens and releases the inlet 15 for the liquid in the storage container 26.

[0046] When the closure 7 is open, starting from the storage container 26 the liquid flows through the inlet 15 and into the first chamber 8. The first chamber 8 is designed in such a way that it can preferably hold a liquid volume of approximately 80 mL. However, the invention is not limited thereto. Rather, the chambers 8 and 9 may have any volume.

[0047] A second (metering) chamber 9 that is connected to the first chamber 8 via a connecting channel 12 is situated below the first (metering) chamber 8. The second chamber 9 is preferably smaller than the first chamber 8, and has, for example, a volume for receiving 20 mL of liquid. On the bottom side the second chamber 9 has an outlet 19 through which the liquid in the second chamber 9 exits.

[0048] A push rod 5 extends along a vertical axis, through the housing 2, in particular through the outlet 19, the second chamber 9, the connecting channel 12, the first chamber 8, and the inlet 15. The push rod 5 is vertically displaceable within the housing 2, and has different diameters along its longitudinal axis, so that when the push rod 5 is displaced in the arrow direction 16, the opening 18 within the push rod 5 is opened up, the connecting channel 12 is closed, and at the same time the closure 7 is opened.

[0049] In the region of the second chamber 9, the push rod 5 has a portion 24 with an increased diameter, so that the push rod rests on the outlet 19 in a sealing manner. When the push rod 5 is displaced in the arrow direction 16, the portion 14 is moved in the vertical direction, so that a portion 25 having a smaller diameter opens up the opening 18.

[0050] In the region of the portion 25, the push rod 5 preferably has a borehole that is designed as an opening 18 for the liquid from the second chamber 9.

[0051] The metered liquid, starting from the second chamber 9, may preferably be dispensed to the glass situated thereunder in two ways: [0052] The push rod 5 has an opening 18 designed as an internal T-shaped borehole. In the closed state of the metering device, the opening 18 of the push rod 5 is closed by the walls of the outlet 19, so that no liquids can escape. When the push rod 5 is displaced vertically upwardly, the T-shaped opening is brought into the region of the chamber 9, as the result of which the liquid may flow out of the chamber through the opening 18. [0053] The push rod 5 in the region of the outlet 19 is designed in such a way that when the push rod is displaced vertically upwardly, the outlet 19 is opened up and the liquid flows out of the chamber 9 through the outlet 19.

[0054] By use of the metering device 1 according to the invention, it is thus possible for the first time to dispense a metered quantity of liquid to a drinking vessel 21 from the second chamber 9 through the outlet 19 or the opening 18, while at the same time a liquid, starting from the storage container 26, subsequently flows into the first chamber 8.

[0055] It is also apparent, with reference to FIG. 1, that the housing 2 has a vent 10 for the second chamber 9 which is designed as a separate channel.

[0056] FIG. 2 illustrates the metering device 1 in a lateral section. The closure 7 rests on the inlet 15, and thus closes the first chamber 8 with respect to the liquid in the storage container 26.

[0057] The push rod 5 is in the starting situation. According to the present invention, the starting situation is understood to mean that the closure 7 is closed, the connecting channel 12 is open, and the opening 19 is closed.

[0058] According to FIG. 3, the housing 2 of the metering device 1 has at least one temperature control device 27 for liquids, which is made up of at least one cooling device 22 and/or one heating device 23. The liquids in the chambers 8, 9 may be either cooled or heated with the aid of the temperature control device 27.

[0059] Each chamber 8, 9 preferably has its own temperature control device 27, so that, for example, the liquid in the first chamber 8 is heated to a temperature of approximately 30° C. Preheating of the liquid in the storage container 26 for the second chamber 9 thus takes place in the first chamber 8. This has the significant advantage that the second chamber 9 now always has a sufficient quantity of preheated liquid.

[0060] By use of the embodiment according to the invention, numerous different temperature control variants with regard to the liquids in the first and second chambers 8, 9 are possible, for example: [0061] the first and second chambers 8, 9 have the same temperature or [0062] The first chamber 8 has a higher temperature than the second chamber 9 or [0063] the first chamber 8 has a lower temperature than the second chamber 9 [0064] the first chamber 8 has a higher temperature than the temperature of the storage container 26, and has a lower temperature than the temperature of the second chamber 9.

[0065] The above-mentioned variants are only examples. The present invention makes claim to all temperature variants.

[0066] The push rod 5 has a metering valve 11 in the region of the outlet 19. The metering valve 11 is situated elastically with respect to the housing 2 by means of a spring assembly 13. The drinking vessel 21 is preferably pressed downwardly with its edges against the metering valve 11, as the result of which the push rod 5 is pushed vertically upwardly, and the outlet 19 dispenses the liquid from the second chamber 9 to the drinking vessel 21.

[0067] In addition to the metering valve 11, other dispensing valves 20 are possible for the metering device 1. The closure 7 according to FIG. 3 is designed as a ball valve.

[0068] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the metering device 1, which is made up essentially of the housing 2 and the upper part 3. The metering valve 11, which is connected to the push rod 5, is situated in the lower area.

[0069] The upper part 3 has a recess within which the round adapter 4 for the storage container 26 is situated. The inlet 15 is situated below the adapter 4.

[0070] FIG. 5 shows the housing 2 of the metering device 1. The housing 2 essentially has two chambers 8, 9, arranged one above the other, which are connected to one another in a fluid-conducting manner by a connecting channel 12. The inlet 15, the first chamber 8, the connecting channel 12, the second chamber 9, and the outlet 19 are all situated on an axis. It is thus possible for the push rod 5 to be situated so that it is vertically displaceable in the housing 2, and upon vertical actuation, opens the second chamber, closes the connecting channel 12, and opens the inlet 15.

[0071] Situated on the end-face side of the metering device 1 is at least one borehole 31, which extends through the metering device 1 in the vertical direction and into which at least one heating element of the heating device 23 or one cooling element of the cooling device 22 is insertable. Depending on the requirements, multiple boreholes may be present in order to increase the heating or cooling power. Alternatively, a heating or cooling plate may be flange-mounted on the housing body.

[0072] Of course, it is also possible for the metering device 1 to have horizontal boreholes 31 which, for example, extend in front of or behind the chambers 8, 9. It is critical that the boreholes 31 are situated relatively close to the region of the chambers 8, 9 in order to achieve rapid, effective heating or cooling of the liquid.

[0073] FIG. 6 shows the metering device 1, in the side view without lift. FIG. 7 shows the metering device 1 with lift, the metering valve 11 having been moved vertically upwardly.

[0074] FIG. 8 shows the section A-A through the metering device 1 according to FIG. 7. As an example, it is shown that the push rod 5 undergoes vertical displacement, i.e., carries out a lift of 11 mm, within the housing 2.

[0075] FIGS. 9 and 10 show the push rod 5, which is essential to the invention, in a top view and side view, respectively.

[0076] In the starting state, the push rod 5 with its wider portion 14 and its sealing surface 30 rests on the outlet 19 of the second chamber 9, and seals it with respect to the housing 2. When the push rod 5 moves vertically, the sealing surface 30 is lifted from the outlet 19, as the result of which the metered quantity of liquid flows from the second chamber 9, through the opening 18, and into the drinking vessel 21.

[0077] The length of the wider portion 14 is selected in such a way that upon a vertical movement of the push rod 5, the outlet 19 is opened, and shortly before, the connecting channel 18 together with the sealing surface 28 of the portion 14 is closed.

[0078] The push rod 5 according to FIG. 9 has a first portion 29. The diameter of the portion 29 is smaller than the diameter of the portion 14 situated thereunder. In the installed state of the push rod 5, the portion 29 extends through the first chamber 8 and the inlet 15. The length of the portion 29 of the push rod 5 is selected in such a way that, due to the vertical displacement of the push rod 5 with a lift of 11 mm, for example, at the same time the closure 7 is lifted and the liquid flows from the storage container 26 into the first chamber 8.

[0079] Upon a vertical upward displacement of the push rod 5, the wider portion 14 with its sealing surface 28 also rests downwardly against the connecting channel 12 of the second chamber 9 and seals it with respect to the liquid in the chamber 8 and thus, also with respect to the storage container 26.

[0080] FIG. 10 shows a rotated embodiment from FIG. 9, wherein the push rod 5 in the portion 14 has only sharp-edged sealing surfaces 28, 30, resulting in a seal with respect to the connecting channel 12 and the outlet 19.

[0081] In the metering device according to the invention, it is critical that with only one vertical movement of the push rod 5, the second chamber 9 is opened and the connection between the first and second chambers is closed. At the same time, the closure 7 is opened, so that new liquid can flow from a storage container 26 into the first chamber 8.

[0082] The metering device 1 according to the invention thus has the advantage that a first quantity of liquid is heated or cooled to a certain temperature with a temperature control device, so that the second chamber 9 already has a sufficient quantity of liquid at the desired temperature. As a result, a metered liquid having the desired temperature may be dispensed from the metering device at brief intervals.

[0083] The metering device 1 is not limited to two chambers 8, 9 arranged one above the other. Of course, for example three or more chambers may also be arranged one above the other.

[0084] It is critical that when the push rod 5 is actuated, due to its geometry it opens or closes all inlet and outlet openings with only one lift movement. The push rod 5 thus has a type of valve function, which in a fluid-sealing manner opens or closes the outlet 19 of the second chamber 9 and/or the connecting channel 12, as well as the closure 7.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0085] 1 metering device [0086] 2 housing [0087] 3 upper part [0088] 4 adapter [0089] 5 push rod [0090] 6 coupling unit [0091] 7 closure [0092] 8 first chamber [0093] 9 second chamber [0094] 10 vent [0095] 11 metering valve [0096] 12 connecting channel [0097] 13 spring assembly [0098] 14 portion of 5 [0099] 15 inlet [0100] 16 arrow direction (top) [0101] 17 expansion [0102] 18 opening [0103] 19 outlet [0104] 20 dispensing valve [0105] 21 drinking vessel [0106] 22 cooling device [0107] 23 heating device [0108] 24 portion (first chamber) [0109] 25 portion (opening 19) [0110] 26 storage container [0111] 27 temperature control device [0112] 28 sealing surface (top) [0113] 29 portion [0114] 30 sealing surface (bottom) [0115] 31 boreholes for the cooling or heating device 22, 23