BEVERAGE-PREPARATION APPARATUS FOR A VEHICLE AND METHOD FOR OPERATING THE SAME

Abstract

Mobile beverage-preparation apparatus for preparing beverages, in particular hot and/or cold ones, using at least one beverage extract (beverage preparation) and for dispensing the prepared beverage (beverage dispensing) in a vehicle. The beverage-preparation apparatus has a mobile housing, which is configured for accommodating at least one extract container in an interchangeable manner. The at least one extract container is configured for accommodating the beverage extract and has at least one container information item. The container information item is representative of an identifier of the extract container, of the volume of the extract container (container volume) or of the type of beverage extract. The extract container may have a number of these container information items at the same time. Furthermore, the beverage-preparation apparatus has a communications device, which is configured for communicating one or more of the container information items, in particular to a higher-level communications device in particular of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A beverage-preparation apparatus for preparing and dispensing beverages in a vehicle using at least one beverage extract, comprising a mobile housing configured and arranged for accommodating at least one extract container in an interchangeable manner, wherein the extract container is configured and arranged for accommodating the at least one beverage extract, and comprises at least one container information item, wherein the container information item is representative of at least one of an identifier of the at least one extract container, the volume of the extract container and the type of the at least one beverage extract; and a first communication device configured and arranged for transmission of at least one of the container information items to a second communication device.

2. The beverage-preparation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first communication device is configured and arranged for transmitting, on demand by the second communication device of the vehicle, at least one of the container information items.

3. The beverage-preparation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first communication device is configured and arranged for radio communication.

4. The beverage-preparation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first communication device comprises a GSM-circuit, wherein the GSM-circuit is configured and arranged to be activated on demand by the second communication device.

5. The beverage-preparation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one container information item is provided with a RFID-chip or a graphical code.

6. The beverage-preparation apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an electronic control device, and configured and arranged to determine the residual content M of the at least one extract container depending on its container volume and depending on the amount of beverage extract withdrawn from the extract container for preparing beverages.

7. The beverage-preparation apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the first communication device is configured and arranged to transmit the residual content M, determined by the control device, in combination with at least one of the container information items of the same extract container.

8. The beverage-preparation apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising preparation means configured and arranged for preparing beverages with water and with at least one of the beverage extracts, wherein the preparation means are accommodated in the housing, and wherein the at least one of the extract containers accommodated in the beverage-preparation apparatus is fluid-connectable to the preparation means.

9. The beverage-preparation apparatus according to claim 8, wherein at least one preparation elements of the preparation means is included in a group comprising a pump element, a carbonizer, a CO2 storage unit, an arrangement for tempering, a mixer unit, a water filter, a water tank, a container accommodation.

10. The beverage-preparation apparatus according to claim 8, wherein one of the preparation elements is configured as being coolable for preparing beverages using coolable preparation element, wherein the form of a heat absorbing element of the beverage-preparation apparatus, flown through by a cooling means, is adapted to the form of the coolable preparation element, and wherein the heat absorbing element is mechanically coupled to the housing.

11. The beverage-preparation apparatus according to claim 8, wherein one of the preparation elements is configured as a heating device configured and arranged for preparing hot beverages, wherein the heating device is configured and arranged to heat water to the ambient pressure-dependent boiling temperature, and wherein the beverage extract is in form of a syrup.

12. The beverage-preparation apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising dispensing means configured and arranged for beverage dispensing, wherein at least one dispensing element of the dispensing means is fluid-connectable to the preparation means.

13. The beverage-preparation apparatus according to claim 12, wherein at least one of the dispensing elements is included in a group comprising a receptacle accommodation for an independent beverage container and a tap unit.

14. The beverage-preparation apparatus according to claim 13, wherein one of the dispensing elements is configured as a detection element configured and arranged to detect at least one dimension of an independent beverage container inserted into the receptacle accommodation, wherein the amount of the beverage prepared by the preparation means is dependent on the at least one dimension detected by the detection element.

15. The beverage-preparation apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the first communication device is configured to transmit a failure indicator, received by the electronic control device, wherein the failure indicator concerns or is associated with the dispensing means or the preparation means.

16. The beverage-preparation apparatus according to claim 8, wherein at least one of the dispensing elements and/or at least one of the preparation elements is mechanically coupled with an element carrier, wherein the element carrier is translationally displaceable and at least partially displaceable in the surroundings of the housing, and configured and arranged for the exchange of one of the dispensing elements, one of the preparation elements or one of the extract containers, and wherein the coolable preparation element is mechanically coupled with the element carrier.

17. The beverage-preparation apparatus according to claim 1 and configured as an arrangement with at least one extract container, which is accommodated by the mobile housing in an interchangeable manner.

18. A vehicle with a beverage-preparation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle is an aircraft, a watercraft, a rail vehicle, or a road vehicle.

19. A method for operating a beverage-preparation apparatus for preparing and dispensing beverages using at least one beverage extract in a vehicle using the apparatus of claim 1, comprising step: S0 transmitting at least one container information item, wherein the container information item is representative of an identifier of the extract container for accommodating the beverage extract, of the volume of the extract container or of the type of beverage extract, wherein the extract container is accommodated in an interchangeable manner in a mobile housing of a beverage-preparation apparatus, by a first communication device of the beverage-preparation apparatus and to a second communication device.

20. The method according to claim 19 comprising the steps: S1 Reading a container information item of at least one of the extract containers including reading the container volume and the amount of the beverage extract M0 initially contained in the extract container, S2 Determining a residual content M of the at least one extract container using a control device, S3 Receiving a demand, sent by the second communication device, by the first communication device, S4 Transmitting the residual content M in combination with at least one of the container information items of the same container by the first communication device.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein step S3 includes: Comparing the residual content M with the predetermined residual content M by the control device and/or Setting an extract-bound flag, related to the extract, by the control device if the residual content M drops below the predetermined residual content M,

22. The method according to claim 19, and further comprising at least one of the steps: S5 Transmitting a failure indicator by the first communication device, in particular after step S3, and/or S6 Exchanging of at least one of the extract containers in correlation with step S4, and/or S7 Exchanging or maintaining one of the dispensing elements or one of the preparation elements in correlation with step S5.

23. The method according to claim 19, and further comprising the steps: S20 Detecting a state of the preparation means by the control device, wherein the preparation means are configured to notify a failure state (error) on demand by the first communication device after step S3, S21 Generating a failure indicator if the state detection detects an error in the preparation means by the control device, Receiving a demand, transmitted by the second communication device, by the first communication device S5 Transmitting the failure indicator by the first communication device particular after the steps S3 and S21.

Description

EXECUTION EXAMPLE

[0133] FIG. 1 shows schematically a first exemplary embodiment of the beverage-preparation apparatus,

[0134] FIG. 2 schematically shows a second exemplary embodiment of the beverage-preparation apparatus,

[0135] FIG. 3 schematically shows a detail of a further development of the beverage-preparation apparatus with mixing battery,

[0136] FIG. 4 shows schematically an embodiment of the beverage-preparation apparatus, which can prepare both cold and hot beverages,

[0137] FIG. 5 shows schematically an embodiment of the beverage-preparation apparatus for cold beverages,

[0138] FIG. 6 shows schematically an exemplary embodiment of the beverage-preparation apparatus for hot beverages,

[0139] FIG. 7 schematically shows an embodiment of the beverage-preparation apparatus with an element carrier which can prepare both cold and hot beverages,

[0140] FIG. 8 shows schematically details of an exemplary embodiment of the beverage-preparation apparatus with a coolable preparation element and a through-flowable heat absorbing element

[0141] FIG. 9 shows schematically alternative exemplary embodiments of the beverage-preparation apparatus with element carrier,

[0142] FIG. 10 shows a flowchart of the method according to the second aspect,

[0143] FIG. 11 shows a flowchart of a further development of the method of FIG. 10,

[0144] FIG. 12 shows a flowchart of a third method for operating one of the beverage-preparation apparatus.

[0145] FIG. 1 schematically shows a first exemplary embodiment of the beverage-preparation apparatus. The beverage-preparation apparatus 10 comprises the mobile housing 11 as well as the communication device 15. The independent extract container 14 which can be accommodated by the housing and the higher-level communication device 99 which is not associated with the beverage-preparation apparatus are shown by dashed lines. Preferably, the beverage-preparation apparatus comprises a secondary battery for supplying power to the electrical preparation means and a water container.

[0146] FIG. 2 shows schematically a second exemplary embodiment of the beverage-preparation apparatus. Differing the beverage-preparation apparatus of FIG. 1, the beverage-preparation apparatus additionally comprises preparation means 12, which comprise a mixing device 115, a receptacle accommodation 103 as well as a tap unit 112. The tap unit is arranged within the receptacle accommodation and is fluid-connected via a beverage supply line with the preparation means 12. A water supply line leads to the mixing device. The mixing device is fluid-connected to the independent extract container 14, wherein the extract container shown in dashed lines contains a beverage extract 106. Preferably, the beverage-preparation apparatus has a secondary battery for supplying power to the electrical preparation means and a water container.

[0147] FIG. 3 shows schematically a detail of a further development of the beverage-preparation apparatus with a mixing battery 116. The mixing battery comprises a plurality of mixing devices 115, 115a, 115b, which are respectively fluid-connected to the tap unit 112 via separate beverage supply lines, to each of which a beverage extract 106, 106a, 106b can be supplied and to which in each case a water supply line leads. The tap unit has a separate dispensing point for each beverage supply line. In this embodiment, a taste impairment of a prepared beverage has been counteracted.

[0148] FIG. 4 schematically shows an embodiment of the beverage-preparation apparatus configured for preparing and dispensing hot and cold beverages in a vehicle. Differing from the beverage-preparation apparatus from FIG. 2, the beverage-preparation apparatus is additionally configured with a coolable preparation element 117 and with a heating device 211. In particular, the coolable preparation element 117 is configured as a carbonizer. The heating device 211 and the coolable preparation element 117 are arranged in different branches or at various water supply lines upstream of the mixing device 115. Preferably, the beverage-preparation apparatus has a secondary battery for supplying power to the electrical preparation means and a water container.

[0149] FIG. 5 shows schematically an embodiment of the beverage-preparation apparatus for cold beverages. The beverage-preparation apparatus is configured with a substantially box-shaped housing 101; with preparation means for the preparation of beverages with water and at least one beverage extract 106; with dispensing means for dispensing the prepared beverage in a recess in the front housing element 101b; wherein the preparation means are accessible in the mounted state of the beverage-preparation apparatus exclusively via the front housing element 101b. For this purpose, the front housing element is configured to be translationally and/or rotatable movable.

[0150] The front housing member 101b comprises a recess formed as a deepening. The beverage-preparation apparatus comprises a plurality of container accommodations for containers with beverage extract 106 arranged side by side, a water filter 107, a pump element 108, a CO2 storage unit 109, a carbonizer 110, a cooling compressor 111, a mixing device 115, a receptacle accommodation 103 and a tap unit 112. Advantageously, the cooling compressor 111 and the heat exchanger 114 are mounted in a housing-fixed manner. Preferably, the cooling device of the beverage-preparation apparatus comprises a heat absorbing element, which is configured for heat-conducting contact with the carbonizer 110 and is mounted in a housing-fixed manner.

[0151] Pipes lines for leading the water, the beverage extract or the prepared beverage are not shown. The control device 16 is not shown. Advantageously, the water supplied via the water connection 104 passes through the water filter 107, the pump element 108, the carbonizer 110 and is mixed in the mixing device 115 with at least one of the beverage extracts 106. The prepared beverage is dispensed via the tap unit 112 into a beverage container located in the receptacle accommodation 103. Preferably, the various beverages are lead through separate pipe lines to different dispensing points of the tap unit 112, whereby a taste impairment of a prepared beverage by a previously dispensed beverage can be counteracted.

[0152] Preferably, the beverage-preparation apparatus comprises a secondary battery for supplying power to the electrical preparation means and a water container. Preferably, the beverage-preparation apparatus comprises detection means for at least one dimension of the beverage container, wherein the detected dimension is considered for the amount of the to be supplied water. At least one of the dispensing elements and/or at least one of the preparation elements can be maintained, cleaned or exchanged more easily after opening the front housing element.

[0153] Preferably, the water filter 107, the pump element 108, the CO2 storage unit 109, the carbonizer 110, the tap unit 112, the mixing device 115, are mounted on an element carrier of the beverage-preparation apparatus, wherein the element carrier is able to be displaced at least partially from the housing into the surroundings. Preferably, the beverage-preparation apparatus comprises one of the signaling elements and can be transferred into the maintenance mode. The housing preferably comprises rollers for transporting the beverage-preparation apparatus in the vehicle.

[0154] FIG. 6 shows schematically a further exemplary embodiment of the beverage-preparation apparatus configured for preparing and dispensing hot beverages. The beverage-preparation apparatus is configured with a substantially box-shaped housing 201 with at least one front housing element 201b; with preparation means for the preparation of beverages with water and at least one beverage extract 206; with dispensing means for dispensing the prepared beverage in a recess in the front housing element 201b; wherein the preparation means are accessible in the mounted state of the beverage-preparation apparatus exclusively via the front housing element 201b. For this purpose, the front housing element is configured to be translationally and/or rotatable movable.

[0155] The front housing member 201b comprises a recess which is configured as a deepening. The beverage-preparation apparatus has one or more container accommodations for containers with beverage extract 206, a water filter 207, a pump element 208, a control device 209, a water heating device 211, a receptacle accommodation 203 and a tap unit 213. Pipe lines for leading the water, the beverage extract or the prepared beverage are not shown.

[0156] Advantageously, the water supplied via the water connection 204 passes through the water filter 207, the pump element 208, the water heating device 211, and is mixed with at least one of the beverage extracts 206. The prepared beverage is dispensed via the tap unit 213 into a beverage container located in the receptacle accommodation 203. Preferably, different beverages are lead through separate pipe lines to different dispensing points of the tap unit 212.

[0157] Preferably, the beverage-preparation apparatus comprises a secondary battery for supplying power to the electrical preparation means and a water container. Preferably, one of the dispensing elements is configured as a detecting element for at least one dimension of the beverage container, whereby the detected dimension is considered for the dimensioning of the to be supplied water.

[0158] At least one of the dispensing elements and/or at least one of the preparation elements can be maintained, cleaned or exchanged more easily after opening the front housing element. Preferably, the beverage-preparation apparatus has one of the signaling elements and can be transferred into the maintenance mode. The housing preferably comprises rollers for transporting the beverage-preparation apparatus in the vehicle.

[0159] FIG. 7 shows schematically an exemplary embodiment of the beverage-preparation apparatus with an element carrier 119, which can prepare cold and hot beverages. The mixer battery 116, the tap unit 112, the heating device 211, the coolable preparation element 117, the CO2 storage unit 109, the pump element 108, as well as a plurality of container accommodations for extract containers with beverage extract 106, 106a, 106b, 106c are mechanically connected to the element carrier 119. Preferably, the coolable preparation element 117 is configured as a carbonizer. A heat exchanger 114, a cooling compressor 111, the communication element 15 are housing-fixed.

[0160] Although the heat absorbing element through which a cooling means can flow through is not shown, it is mechanically connected to the housing 101. In the illustrated position of the element carrier 119, which is retracted relative to the housing, the heat absorbing element is heat-conductible connected to the coolable preparation element 117. Preferably, in the retracted position of the element carrier, the heat absorbing element is acted upon by a force in the direction of the coolable preparation element 117. Preferably, the heat absorbing element is configured with a deformable cushion for improved thermal contact with the coolable preparation member 117. In a position, which is extended relative to the housing but not shown, of the element carrier 119, the heat absorbing element is spaced apart from the coolable preparation element 117. Advantageously, parts of the cooling device, including the heat exchanger 114, the cooling compressor 111 and the heat absorbing element (not shown), can be connected to one another with substantially bending-resistant pipe lines, thus improving the mechanical stability of the cooling arrangement. Advantageously, with the physical division into a coolable preparation element 117 and a through-flowable heat absorbing element flexible pipelines or hoses within the cooling device can be dispensed.

[0161] Preferably, the beverage-preparation apparatus comprises one of the signaling elements and can be transferred into the maintenance mode. The housing preferably comprises rollers for transporting the beverage-preparation apparatus in the vehicle. Preferably, the beverage-preparation apparatus has a secondary battery for supplying power to the electrical preparation means and a water container.

[0162] FIG. 8 shows schematically a detail of a further exemplary embodiment, with a coolable preparation means 117 and a heat absorbing element 118 through which a cooling means can flow. In particular, the coolable preparation element 117 is configured as a carbonizer. A circumferential surface of the second preparation means 118, which faces away from the coolable preparation element 117, can have an insulating layer 120 for improved cooling performance, which are shown in FIG. 8 below. On the left in FIG. 8, a coolable preparation element 117 with a substantially cylindrical cross section and a correspondingly adapted heat absorbing element 118 are shown. On the right in FIG. 11, a coolable preparation element 117 with a substantially prismatic cross section and a correspondingly adapted heat absorbing element 118 are shown.

[0163] FIG. 9a shows schematically a beverage-preparation apparatus in which at least one of the dispensing elements and at least one of the preparation elements are mounted on an element carrier 119 of the beverage preparation device. The element carrier 119 supports several adjacently arranged container accommodations for independent extract containers. The element carrier 119 can be displace partially outside the housing by means of translation, whereby dispensing means and preparation means are accessible for cleaning, maintenance or exchange. The front housing element 101b is mechanically connected to the element carrier 119. The element carrier 119 is preferably guided by means of at least one rail which is mechanically connected to one of the housing elements.

[0164] FIG. 9b shows another development in which the front housing element 101b is hingedly connected to a lateral housing element 101e. After pivoting the housing member 101b, whereupon an opening to the interior of the housing becomes free, dispensing means and preparation means are accessible for cleaning, maintenance or replacement through the opening. Preferably, at least one of the dispensing elements and at least one of the preparation elements are mounted on an element carrier 119 of the beverage-preparation apparatus. The element carrier 119 is preferably guided by means of at least one rail, which is mechanically connected to one of the housing elements 101e, 101f

[0165] FIG. 10 shows a flowchart of the method according to the second aspect, comprising the step S0: Transmitting at least one container information item, wherein the container information item is representative of on identifier of an extract container for accommodating the beverage extract, the volume of the extract container (container volume) or the type of beverage extract, wherein the extract container is accommodated in an interchangeable manner by a mobile housing of the beverage-preparation apparatus, by means of a communication device of the beverage-preparation apparatus, in particular to a higher-level communication device,

[0166] FIG. 11 shows flow diagrams of further developments of the method of FIG. 10. This further development of the method, which is particularly suitable for the beverage-preparation apparatus of the FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 9, comprises the steps: [0167] S1 Reading one of the container information items of at least one of the extract containers (first extract container), in particular by the communication device or by a sensor signal-connected to the communication device, in particular reading the container volume of the first extract container, [0168] S2 Determining the residual content M of the first extract container, in particular by means of a control device of the beverage-preparation apparatus, in particular including setting an extract-bounded flag when the residual content M drops below a predetermined residual content Mg, [0169] S3 Receiving a demand from a higher-level communication device, in particular by the communication device, in particular including transmitting the demand to the control device, [0170] S4 Transmitting the residual content M of at least one of the extract containers in combination with at least one of the container information item of the extract container, or transmitting the extract-bound flag, in particular by the communication device.

[0171] During step S2, the determination of the residual content M is carried out with repeatedly subtracting the amount M1 required or to be withdrawn for the preparation of a beverage from the amount M0 initially contained in the extract container, where N is the number of beverages prepared with this beverage extract: M=M0N*M1. Step S4 is a concretion of the step S0 and is to be carried out in particular instead of step S0.

[0172] According to the flow chart shown to the left in FIG. 11 the steps are preferably executed in the sequence S1, S2, S3, S4. Alternatively, the steps are performed in the sequence S3, S1, S2, S4 according to the flow diagram shown on the right in FIG. 11.

[0173] FIG. 12 shows flow charts of a third method for operating a beverage-preparation apparatus comprising the steps: [0174] S20 Detecting a state of the preparation means (state detection) by the control device, wherein the preparation means are configured to notify a failure state (error), in particular on demand by the communication device, in particular after step S3, [0175] S21 Generating a failure indicator, in particular which indicates the type of the error or its cause, if an error of the preparation means is detected by the state detection, in particular by the control device, [0176] S3 Receiving a demand from a higher-level communication device by the communication device, [0177] S5 Transmitting the failure indicator by the communication device, in particular to the higher-level communication device or to a third communication device, in particular located at the destination location or at a spare part storage, in particular after steps S3 and S21.

[0178] Thereupon, a spare part or material for repairing the preparation element comprising the error can be held ready at the destination of the vehicle. This further development can offer the advantage that the time required for maintenance or repair of the beverage-preparation apparatus can be reduced.

[0179] According to FIG. 12a, the steps are preferably executed in the order S20, S21, S3, S5. Alternatively, the steps according to FIG. 12b are performed in the sequence S3, S20, S21, S5.

REFERENCE MARK

[0180] 11 housing [0181] 12 preparation means [0182] 13 dispensing means [0183] 14 extract container [0184] 15 communication device [0185] 16 control device [0186] 99 higher-level communication device [0187] 101 housing [0188] 101b front housing element [0189] 102 operating device [0190] 103 receptacle accommodation [0191] 104 water connection [0192] 105 electrical connection [0193] 106 beverage extract [0194] 107 water filter [0195] 108 pump element [0196] 109 CO2 storage unit [0197] 110 carbonizer [0198] 111 cooling compressor [0199] 112 tap unit [0200] 114 heat exchanger [0201] 115 mixing device [0202] 116 group of mixing devices, mixing battery [0203] 117 coolable preparation element [0204] 118 through-flowable heat absorbing element [0205] 119 element carrier [0206] 120 insulating layer [0207] 201 housing [0208] 201b front housing element [0209] 202 operating device [0210] 203 receptacle accommodation [0211] 204 water connection [0212] 205 electrical connection [0213] 206 beverage extract [0214] 207 water filter [0215] 208 pump element [0216] 209 control device [0217] 210 power supply unit [0218] 211 water heating device [0219] 213 tap unit [0220] 215 mixing device