Mixed Drink Producing Apparatus With An Overall Container With Multiple Chambers As Well As Household Refrigeration Apparatus With A Mixed Drink Producing Apparatus

Abstract

A mixed drink producing apparatus for a household refrigeration apparatus with a first dispensing container, which is formed for receiving a first liquid having a first freezing point and addable to a mixed drink by the mixed drink producing apparatus and which is connected to a dispensing unit of the mixed drink producing apparatus for conducting the first liquid from the first dispensing container to the dispensing unit, and with at least one second dispensing container, which is formed for receiving a second liquid having a second freezing point different from the first freezing point and addable to a mixed drink by the mixed drink producing apparatus and which is connected to the dispensing unit of the mixed drink producing apparatus for conducting the second liquid from the second dispensing container to the dispensing unit, wherein the first dispensing container and the second dispensing container are formed as chambers in an overall container, and the chamber of the first dispensing container is separated from the chamber of the second dispensing container by at least one partition in the overall container. It can also be provided that a storage container is formed as a chamber in the overall container.

Claims

1. A mixed drink producing apparatus, comprising: a dispensing unit for dispensing liquid from the mixed drink producing apparatus, a first dispensing container, which is formed for receiving a first liquid having a first freezing point and addable to a mixed drink by the mixed drink producing apparatus, wherein the first dispensing container is connected to a dispensing unit of the mixed drink producing apparatus for conducting the first liquid from the first dispensing container to the dispensing unit, and a second dispensing container, which is formed for receiving a second liquid having a second freezing point different from the first freezing point and addable to a mixed drink by the mixed drink producing apparatus, wherein the second dispensing container is connected to the dispensing unit of the mixed drink producing apparatus for conducting the second liquid from the second dispensing container to the dispensing unit, the first dispensing container and the second dispensing container are formed as chambers in an overall container, and at least one partition in the overall container, by which the chamber of the first dispensing container is separated from the chamber of the second dispensing container.

2. The mixed drink producing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the chambers of the dispensing containers are formed one above the other viewed in vertical direction.

3. The mixed drink producing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first chamber forming the first dispensing container is formed for receiving a first liquid with a higher freezing point than the second liquid, and the first chamber is formed below the second chamber forming the second dispensing container.

4. The mixed drink producing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a volume area as a thermal insulation area is formed between the chambers.

5. The mixed drink producing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the thermal insulation area is an air volume.

6. The mixed drink producing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the thermal insulation area is bounded to the top by the partition and is dimensioned to the bottom by a mark spaced from the partition and presenting a maximum filling level boundary for filling the dispensing container with the liquid.

7. The mixed drink producing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mixed drink producing apparatus has a refrigeration circuit, to which at least one chamber of the overall container is thermally coupled and can be cooled by at least the chamber of this dispensing container.

8. The mixed drink producing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the refrigeration circuit has an evaporator, which is thermally coupled to the chamber to be cooled, and/or has a further evaporator, which is thermally coupled to the other chamber.

9. The mixed drink producing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the refrigeration circuit is thermally coupled to both chambers.

10. The mixed drink producing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mixed drink producing apparatus has a liquid line for conducting a liquid from a chamber, wherein the liquid line is disposed extending in the other chamber in sections such that cooling of the liquid flowing in the liquid line is effected by the liquid located in the chamber, in which the liquid line is disposed extending, or cooling of the liquid in the liquid line is effected by the liquid located in this chamber.

11. The mixed drink producing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the mixed drink producing apparatus has a pump, by which liquid in the liquid line can be pumped off at least in the section extending in the chamber if cooling is not required.

12. The mixed drink producing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mixed drink producing apparatus has at least one storage container for storing the liquid of the associated dispensing container in addition to the first dispensing container and/or to the second dispensing container, wherein the storage container is connected to the associated dispensing container for conducting the liquid from the storage container to the associated dispensing container, and the storage container is formed as a chamber in the common overall container.

13. A household refrigeration apparatus with a housing, in which a receiving space for food is formed, and with a mixed drink producing apparatus having: a dispensing unit for dispensing liquid from the mixed drink producing apparatus, a first dispensing container, which is formed for receiving a first liquid having a first freezing point and addable to a mixed drink by the mixed drink producing apparatus, wherein the first dispensing container is connected to a dispensing unit of the mixed drink producing apparatus for conducting the first liquid from the first dispensing container to the dispensing unit, and a second dispensing container, which is formed for receiving a second liquid having a second freezing point different from the first freezing point and addable to a mixed drink by the mixed drink producing apparatus, wherein the second dispensing container is connected to the dispensing unit of the mixed drink producing apparatus for conducting the second liquid from the second dispensing container to the dispensing unit, the first dispensing container and the second dispensing container are formed as chambers in an overall container, and at least one partition in the overall container, by which the chamber of the first dispensing container is separated from the chamber of the second dispensing container.

14. A drink producing apparatus having: a dispensing unit for dispensing liquid from the drink producing apparatus, a first dispensing container, which is formed for receiving a first liquid having a first freezing point and addable to a drink by the drink producing apparatus, wherein the first dispensing container is connected to the dispensing unit of the drink producing apparatus for conducting the first liquid from the first dispensing container to the dispensing unit, and in addition to the first dispensing container, a first storage container for storing the first liquid, which is connected to the first dispensing container for conducting the first liquid from the first storage container to the first dispensing container, and the first dispensing container and the first storage container are formed as chambers in a common overall container.

15. The drink producing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the chambers of the dispensing container and the storage container are formed one above the other viewed in vertical direction.

16. The drink producing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the chambers directly adjoin to each other and are separated by a partition, and a liquid passage element is formed in the partition, by which the chambers are connected for conducting liquid from the storage container into the dispensing container.

17. The drink producing apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the liquid passage element is a valve or a unidirectional membrane.

18. The drink producing apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the storage container is a cooling container, in which liquid is storable as a stock cooled at a temperature, which is equal to or higher than the temperature of this liquid in the associated dispensing container.

19. The drink producing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the drink producing apparatus has at least one second dispensing container, which is formed for receiving a second liquid having a second freezing point different from the first freezing point and addable to a drink by the drink producing apparatus and which is connected to the dispensing unit of the drink producing apparatus for conducting the second liquid from the second dispensing container to the dispensing unit, wherein the second dispensing container is formed as a chamber in the overall container.

20. A household refrigeration apparatus with a housing, in which a receiving space for food is formed, and with a drink producing apparatus having: a dispensing unit for dispensing liquid from the drink producing apparatus, a first dispensing container, which is formed for receiving a first liquid having a first freezing point and addable to a drink by the drink producing apparatus, wherein the first dispensing container is connected to the dispensing unit of the drink producing apparatus for conducting the first liquid from the first dispensing container to the dispensing unit, and in addition to the first dispensing container, a first storage container for storing the first liquid, which is connected to the first dispensing container for conducting the first liquid from the first storage container to the first dispensing container, and the first dispensing container and the first storage container are formed as chambers in a common overall container.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] Below, embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail based on schematic drawings. There show:

[0042] FIG. 1 a perspective partial representation of an embodiment of a household refrigeration apparatus according to the invention;

[0043] FIG. 2 a schematic representation of a refrigeration circuit of the household refrigeration apparatus, to which a chamber of the overall container is thermally coupled;

[0044] FIG. 3 a schematic representation of an embodiment of an overall container of the mixed drink producing apparatus; and

[0045] FIG. 4 a schematic representation of an embodiment of an overall container of the mixed drink producing apparatus.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0046] In the figures, identical or functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference characters.

[0047] In FIG. 1, a household refrigeration apparatus 1 is illustrated in certain areas in a simplified perspective representation. Here, the household refrigeration apparatus 1 is for example a combined refrigerator-freezer. The household refrigeration apparatus 1 is formed for storing and preserving food. It includes a housing 2, in which a first interior container 3 is disposed. Walls of the interior container 3 bound a first receiving space 4 for food, wherein this receiving space 4 is a refrigerating compartment.

[0048] Moreover, the household refrigeration apparatus 1 includes a further interior container 5, which bounds a second receiving space 6 with its walls, which is a freezing compartment. The two receiving spaces 4 and 6 are separated from each other. In the shown embodiment, the receiving spaces 4 and 6 are disposed one above the other in vertical direction and thus in height direction (y-direction). In the embodiment, they are preferably closable by non-shown, respectively separate doors, which are in particular pivotably fastened to the housing 2.

[0049] Moreover, the household refrigeration apparatus 1 includes a mixed drink producing apparatus 7.

[0050] However, the mixed drink producing apparatus 7 can also be formed as a separate independent apparatus and thus be installed independently of a household refrigeration apparatus 1 and operable independently thereof.

[0051] The mixed drink producing apparatus 7 is disposed in a receiving area 8 of the housing 2. This receiving area 8 is separated from the receiving spaces 4 and 6. It can be provided that the receiving area 8 is bounded by walls of a separate interior container, which is also foamed in the housing 2. However, the receiving area 8 can also be formed integrated in the interior container 3 or the interior container 5.

[0052] In the embodiment, it is provided that the receiving area 8 is disposed between the receiving space 4 and the receiving space 6 in height direction.

[0053] The mixed drink producing apparatus 7 is disposed accessible from the front side and thus from the front and the visible side. In particular, it is not closable and thus not coverable on the front side by a door.

[0054] The mixed drink producing apparatus 7 has a housing 9.

[0055] In the embodiment, it is provided that the housing 9 and thus the entire mixed drink producing apparatus 7 can be extracted from and again retracted into the receiving area 8 in depth direction and thus in horizontal direction corresponding to the z-direction corresponding to a drawer. In FIG. 1, the completely extracted state is shown.

[0056] Here, it is preferably provided that the horizontal displaceability is formed by a displacing device 10, which has multiple supporting positions. In the embodiment, it is provided that the displacing device 10 includes at least two, in particular four supporting positions. In the embodiment, they are formed as rails, which can also be extraction rails. In particular, here are disposed a first rail 11 in an upper left corner area, a second rail 12 in the upper right corner area, a third rail 13 in the lower right corner area and a further rail not recognizable in FIG. 1 in the lower left corner area. By this four-position support, a very secure and spread- and tilt-proof displacement, respectively, of the housing 9 is allowed.

[0057] Thus, the mixed drink producing apparatus 7 is advantageously displaceably supported in the interior container 8. Advantageously, the displacing device 10 also has an extraction stop, by which the drink apparatus formed in particular as a mixed drink producing apparatus 7 is secured in position in a completely extracted position shown in FIG. 1. Thus, over-extraction cannot be effected such that the mixed drink producing apparatus 7 cannot fall out to the front and tilt downwards, respectively.

[0058] Advantageously, it is also provided that the displacing device 10 has a displacing protection, by which the mixed drink producing apparatus 7 is disposed extraction-secured in the position completely retracted into the receiving area 8. Thereby too, undesired slipping out or protruding to the front then present is avoided. Undesired leakage or dripping of a liquid or hitting thereto is thereby prevented. This displacement protection can be a locking device. However, in addition or instead of it, a magnetic mount can also be provided.

[0059] Advantageously, an access 15 is formed at a vertical sidewall 14 of the housing 9, which is closed by a flap 16. After opening the flap 16, the interior of the housing 9 can be accessed such that the simple and unrestricted accessibility is allowed for purposes of exchange or filling. Additionally or instead of it, it can also be provided that a corresponding access is formed at an opposing further vertical sidewall 17 and/or at least one such access 15 is formed at a ceiling wall 18 of the housing 9.

[0060] Moreover, the mixed drink producing apparatus 7 includes a recess or placing bay 19 on the front side, into which a drinking vessel can be placed, by which the mixed drink to be produced and dispensed by the mixed drink producing apparatus 7 can then be collected. The mixed drink producing apparatus 7 includes a dispensing unit 20 with in particular a single outlet or a dispensing opening 21. Preferably, it can be provided that an own outlet is respectively present for discharging each liquid from a container. Moreover, it can also be provided that an additive in powder form or gel form or further liquid form can be admixed to this mixed drink to be produced, which can be produced and thus mixed from at least two different liquids. Thereto, it can in particular be provided that a capsule receptacle 22 is formed, into which a capsule having the mentioned additive or an addition medium can be inserted. Upon dispensing the mixed drink, this ingredient or additive is then removed from the capsule and added to the mixed drink in particular before or after dispensing into the drinking vessel effected via the dispensing opening 21.

[0061] Moreover, it can in particular be provided that the mixed drink producing apparatus 7 has a capsule storage 23 or a capsule stock. A capsule or multiple capsules can be stored in this capsule storage 23 such that they are always present locally at the apparatus itself. In an advantageous implementation, it can be provided that this capsule storage 23 is cooled such that the capsules located therein can also be stored correspondingly cooled.

[0062] Preferably, it is provided that the capsule storage 23 can be opened by push-push mechanics and the capsules received therein are then freely accessible for example in the form of a displaceable storage in the form of a rail and for example can then be simply removed from above.

[0063] Moreover, it can also be provided that the mixed drink producing apparatus 7 has a cartridge for admixing carbon dioxide into the mixed drink. Thereto, the accessibility for cartridge exchange is allowed via at least one present access 15. In an advantageous implementation, it is provided that the mixed drink producing apparatus 7 is connected to a water connection external to household apparatus such that supply of water is for example allowed via a house water network. This has the additional advantage that a liquid to be added to the mixed drink as water does not have to be stored in a largely dimensioned container in the mixed drink producing apparatus 7 but that this container can then be smaller dimensioned and can be refilled depending on demand and adapted to situation. It can then also be provided that such a water supply for producing the mixed drink is not supplied from the tank or the container provided for receiving this liquid in the mixed drink producing apparatus 7, but additionally or instead thereof can also be passed directly from this line to the dispensing unit 20 and thus also to the dispensing opening 21.

[0064] Thereby, in particular in production of hot drinks instead of a cold drink, the required energy for heating is reduced since the initial temperature of the water is higher. If carbonization of the mixed drink should then be desired, thus, this can be allowed via admixture of carbonized cold water, which is cooled in the mixed drink producing apparatus 7, or via a carbonized second liquid, which is then present in the second container.

[0065] It is in particular provided that the mixed drink producing apparatus 7 has a first container, in which a first liquid with a first freezing point, in particular water, is then provided or stored to then provide it for producing and dispensing a mixed drink depending on demand. Moreover, the mixed drink producing apparatus 7 includes a second container separated therefrom, which is formed for receiving a second liquid different from the first liquid, which has a freezing point different form the first liquid. In particular, the first liquid is water and the second liquid is alcohol such that the mixed drink can also be an alcoholized mixed drink.

[0066] In FIG. 2, a refrigeration circuit 24 is shown in a simplified representation, which is a component of the household refrigeration apparatus 1, in particular of the mixed drink producing apparatus 7. The refrigeration circuit 24 includes a condenser 25 as well as a compressor 26. In particular, a drier 27 can also be present, by which residual humidity arising in the refrigeration circuit 24 is dried or bound.

[0067] An in particular integral overall container 28 of the mixed drink producing apparatus 7 is thermally coupled to this refrigeration circuit 24. In the embodiment, it is provided that an evaporator 29 of the refrigeration circuit 24 is thermally coupled to this overall container 28. In particular, the evaporator 29 is thermally coupled to an outer side of the overall container 28, in particular abutting thereon.

[0068] Moreover, at least one discharge line 30 is also shown in symbolic manner, which leads from the overall container 28 to the dispensing unit 20, in particular to the dispensing opening 21.

[0069] In FIG. 3, an embodiment of an overall container 28 is shown in a schematic representation. This in particular integral container has a first chamber 31 presenting a first dispensing container 32 in the shown implementation. Moreover, a second chamber 33 is formed in the overall container 28 in the shown embodiment, which presents a second dispensing container 34. The first dispensing container 32 is formed for receiving a first liquid, in particular water. The second dispensing container 34 is formed for receiving a second liquid, in particular alcohol or an alcohol containing liquid. Therefore, liquids different with regard to their freezing point are received in the chambers 31 and 33. The two chambers 31 and 33 immediately adjoin to each other and are separated from each other by a partition 35. The partition 35 constitutes a bottom of the chamber 33 and a ceiling of the chamber 31.

[0070] The overall container 28 can for example be formed of plastic, in particular be integrally produced.

[0071] According to the representation in FIG. 3, it is provided in this embodiment that the chambers 31 and 33 are disposed one above the other in vertical direction (y-direction) and thus in height direction of the household refrigeration apparatus 1 and also of the mixed drink producing apparatus 7 in this context, wherein the first chamber 31 is disposed below the second chamber 33.

[0072] Moreover, it is provided that a volume area is formed as a thermal insulation area 36 between the chambers 31 and 33. This can be an explicitly separated volume area thus formed by partitions. In the embodiment, it is provided that this thermal insulation area 36 is an air volume and thus a thermal insulation effect between the liquids in the first chamber 31 and the second chamber 33 is formed only by the air located therein. This thermal insulation area 36 is bounded to the top by the partition 35 and defined to the bottom by a maximum filling level indicator 37, which is in particular formed as a mark on the wall bounding the chamber 31. Thus, if the first liquid, which can be filled into the first chamber 31, is filled in only maximally to this filling level boundary 37, thus, this thermal insulation area 36 is sufficiently dimensioned with regard to its volume in order not to cause undesired influence with regard to the temperature transfer between the chambers 31 and 33 and thus also between the liquids located therein. Freezing of the water in the chamber 31 due to the colder alcohol in the chamber 33 in particular in the top volume area facing the chamber 33 of the water present as the first liquid is thereby prevented.

[0073] The chambers 31 and 33 are connected to the dispensing unit 20 and in particular the dispensing opening 21 via the discharge line 30 or via then optionally respectively separate discharge lines such that a mixed drink of the two liquids is already dispensed from the chambers 31 and 33 at the dispensing opening 21.

[0074] In FIG. 4, a further embodiment of an overall container 28 is shown. In this implementation, a chamber 38 of a dispensing container 39 is formed. In the overall container 28, moreover, a further chamber 40 is formed, which presents a chamber of a storage container 41. The storage container 41 is a reservoir and in particular a cooling container, in which the same liquid, which is then also to be contained in the dispensing container 39 and thus in the chamber 38, is contained, wherein the chambers 38 and 40 are coupled in liquid conducting manner. By the additional storage container 41 in the form of the chamber 40, therefore, a larger amount of this same liquid can be provided in the mixed drink producing apparatus 7, and by the separation of the chambers 38 and 40, the respective liquid amounts of this same liquid can be individually treated, in particular individually cooled. It is provided that the chambers 38 and 40 are separated by a partition 42, wherein this partition 42 preferably has a liquid passage element 43. In particular, it can for example be a valve. Thereby, the conduction of the liquid from the chamber 40 and thus from the storage container 41 into the chamber 38 located below and thus the dispensing container 39 can be very adequately effected. In this configuration, the chamber 40 is not directly connected to the dispensing unit 20 and thus also the dispensing opening 21 by a delivery line or discharge line, but is only connected to the chamber 38. Only this chamber 38 is then connected to the dispensing unit 20, in particular the dispensing opening 21, via a discharge line 30 or delivery line.

[0075] It can also be provided that at least one further chamber, for example the chamber 40 relating to the storage container 41, is present in the embodiments according to FIG. 3 such that the functionality of storage and provision is allowed for at least one of the liquids as they are present in the chambers 31 and 33. In this context, it can in particular also be provided that two storage containers and thus two further chambers are present in the overall container 28 according to FIG. 3. Thereby, an individual storage container and thus each one further individual storage chamber are also associated with each chamber 31 and 33 presenting the dispensing containers 32 and 34.

[0076] It can be provided that the cooling of the individual chambers 31 and 33 or 38 and 40 is effected by respectively separate evaporators of the refrigeration circuit 24 such that cooling respectively effected independently of each other can be performed.

[0077] Alternatively to cooling by the refrigeration circuit 24, it can also be provided that at least one conveying line is for example provided, which is coupled to the chamber 33 and is disposed extending in the volume of the lower chamber 31 at least in sections. By such a configuration, the liquid from the chamber 33, in particular the cooler alcohol, can then be conducted through this conveying line and thereby cold energy can then be correspondingly transferred to the first liquid, in particular the water, in the chamber 31 and then this water can thus also be cooled. It can also be provided that a conveying line is present, in which the liquid from the chamber 31, in particular the water, is then conducted through this line, wherein this conveying line is then disposed extending in the volume of the chamber 33 at least in sections. Thereby too, cooling of the water in the conveying line is achieved by effect of the colder alcohol in the chamber 33.

[0078] In these configurations, it is in particular provided that a conveying unit, in particular a pump, is present, by which the liquid in the respective conveying line can be conveyed out such that a corresponding liquid does not stop in the conveying line and thus freezing of the liquid in the conveying line is prevented.

[0079] If a further chamber area for a further storage container and a further chamber area for a further dispensing container are formed in the embodiment according to FIG. 4, thus, they can then be formed stacked thereover in vertical direction. This means that it is then preferably provided in vertical direction that the uppermost chamber is formed for storing and thus pre-cooling the liquid with the lower freezing point, in particular alcohol, following to the bottom the chamber forming the dispensing container of this liquid with the lower freezing point is then formed, again subsequently to the bottom the chamber presenting the further storage container for the liquid with the higher freezing point is then formed and again subsequently to the bottom and thus finally that chamber is formed, which presents the dispensing container of the liquid with the higher freezing point.

LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

[0080] 1 Household refrigeration apparatus [0081] 2 housing [0082] 3 interior container [0083] 4 first receiving space [0084] 5 interior container [0085] 6 second receiving space [0086] 7 mixed drink producing apparatus [0087] 8 receiving area [0088] 9 housing [0089] 10 displacing device [0090] 11 rail [0091] 12 rail [0092] 13 rail [0093] 14 sidewall [0094] 15 access [0095] 16 flap [0096] 17 sidewall [0097] 18 ceiling wall [0098] 19 placing bay [0099] 20 dispensing unit [0100] 21 outlet [0101] 22 capsule receptacle [0102] 23 capsule storage [0103] 24 refrigeration circuit [0104] 25 condenser [0105] 26 compressor [0106] 27 drier [0107] 28 overall container [0108] 29 evaporator [0109] 30 discharge line [0110] 31 chamber [0111] 32 dispensing container [0112] 33 chamber [0113] 34 dispensing container [0114] 35 partition [0115] 36 insulation area [0116] 37 filling level boundary [0117] 38 chamber [0118] 39 dispensing container [0119] 40 chamber [0120] 41 storage container [0121] 42 partition [0122] 43 liquid passage element