Mixed Drink Producing Apparatus With A Manipulation Device For Manipulating An Orientation Of A Jet Of A Liquid Of The Mixed Drink, Household Refrigeration Apparatus As Well As Method For Producing And Dispensing A Mixed Drink

Abstract

A mixed drink producing apparatus with a dispensing container, which is formed for receiving a liquid 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 liquid from the dispensing container to the dispensing unit, wherein the dispensing unit has a dispensing opening, from which the mixed drink can be dispensed, and the mixed drink producing apparatus has a gas adding unit, which is disposed such that a gas output by it is directed to a jet of the liquid dispensed from the dispensing container and the gas is addable to the jet before the dispensing opening such that the orientation of the jet after the dispensing opening is variable by the gas addition. The invention also relates to a household refrigeration apparatus and to a method for producing and dispensing a mixed drink.

Claims

1. A mixed drink producing apparatus, comprising: a dispensing unit for dispensing liquid from the mixed drink producing apparatus, a dispensing container, which is formed for receiving a liquid addable to a cooled mixed drink by the mixed drink producing apparatus, wherein the dispensing container is connected to a dispensing unit of the mixed drink producing apparatus for conducting the liquid from the dispensing container to the dispensing unit, the dispensing unit has a dispensing opening, from which the mixed drink can be dispensed, and the mixed drink producing apparatus has a gas adding unit, which is disposed such that a gas output by it is directed to a jet of the liquid dispensed from the dispensing container and the gas can be added to the jet before the dispensing opening such that the orientation of the jet after the dispensing opening is variable by the gas addition.

2. The mixed drink producing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the gas to be added to the jet is air.

3. The mixed drink producing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the gas adding unit is a pump.

4. The mixed drink producing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the pump is connected to a decompression chamber of the mixed drink producing apparatus formed for pressure reduction of a carbonized liquid.

5. The mixed drink producing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mixed drink producing apparatus has a control unit, by which the period of time of gas addition and/or the amount of the gas to be added are adjustable depending on the volume flow of the jet of the liquid.

6. The mixed drink producing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the gas adding unit has at least two nozzles, from which the gas can be passed to the jet.

7. The mixed drink producing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mixed drink producing apparatus has a capsule with an addition medium separate from the dispensing container and from the gas adding unit, which can be added to the jet of the liquid for producing the mixed drink.

8. The mixed drink producing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the orientation of the jet of the liquid is adjusted by the gas admixture such that the jet mixed with the gas meets with the jet of the addition medium from the capsule in a defined height position after the dispensing opening.

9. The mixed drink producing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the defined height position is above an upper edge of a receiving vessel placed below the dispensing opening.

10. The mixed drink producing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mixed drink producing apparatus has a mixing element, by which the gas added to the jet can be mixed with the liquid.

11. The mixed drink producing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the mixing element is an aerator or a mixing nozzle, by which the jet with the added gas can be conducted.

12. The mixed drink producing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the dispensing opening is adjustable in its opening width and/or its angular position for manipulating the orientation of the jet of the liquid.

13. The mixed drink producing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mixed drink producing apparatus has at least a second dispensing container, which is formed for receiving a second liquid addable to the 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 liquid and the second liquid are mixed to the jet.

14. 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 dispensing container, which is formed for receiving a liquid addable to a cooled mixed drink by the mixed drink producing apparatus, wherein the dispensing container is connected to a dispensing unit of the mixed drink producing apparatus for conducting the liquid from the dispensing container to the dispensing unit, the dispensing unit has a dispensing opening, from which the mixed drink can be dispensed, and the mixed drink producing apparatus has a gas adding unit, which is disposed such that a gas output by it is directed to a jet of the liquid dispensed from the dispensing container and the gas can be added to the jet before the dispensing opening such that the orientation of the jet after the dispensing opening is variable by the gas addition.

15. A mixed drink producing apparatus having: a dispensing unit for dispensing liquid from the mixed drink producing apparatus, a dispensing container, which is formed for receiving a liquid addable to a cooled mixed drink by the mixed drink producing apparatus, wherein the dispensing container is connected to a dispensing unit of the mixed drink producing apparatus for conducting the liquid from the dispensing container to the dispensing unit, the dispensing unit has a dispensing opening, from which the mixed drink can be dispensed, and the dispensing opening is adjustable in its opening width and/or its angular position for manipulating the orientation of the jet of the liquid after the dispensing opening.

16. A method for producing and dispensing a mixed drink with a mixed drink producing apparatus having the following steps of: providing a dispensing container, which is formed for receiving a liquid addable to a mixed drink by the mixed drink producing apparatus and providing a dispensing unit of the mixed drink producing apparatus, connecting the dispensing container to the dispensing unit for conducting the liquid from the dispensing container to the dispensing unit, dispensing a jet of the at least one liquid from a dispensing opening of the dispensing unit, and dispensing an addition medium from a capsule separate from the dispensing container from the capsule for producing the mixed drink, wherein manipulating the jet of the liquid in its orientation by a manipulation unit of the mixed drink producing apparatus in defined manner such that the jet meets with the jet of the addition medium after exit from the dispensing opening in a defined height position.

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 jet of an at least first liquid and a jet of an addition medium; and

[0044] FIG. 3 a schematic representation of an implementation of a manipulation unit for manipulating an orientation of a jet of the at least first liquid after exit from a dispensing opening.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0045] In the figures, identical or functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference characters.

[0046] 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.

[0047] 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.

[0048] Moreover, the household refrigeration apparatus 1 includes a mixed drink producing apparatus 7.

[0049] 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.

[0050] 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.

[0051] 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.

[0052] 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.

[0053] The mixed drink producing apparatus 7 has a housing 9.

[0054] 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.

[0055] 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.

[0056] 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.

[0057] 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.

[0058] 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.

[0059] 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 after dispensing into the drinking vessel effected via the dispensing opening 21.

[0060] 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.

[0061] 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.

[0062] 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.

[0063] 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.

[0064] 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.

[0065] In FIG. 2, the household refrigeration apparatus 1 is shown with partial components of the mixed drink producing apparatus 7 in a schematic representation. The household refrigeration apparatus 1 includes a refrigeration circuit 24, which is in particular a refrigeration circuit of the mixed drink producing apparatus 7. In an advantageous implementation, this refrigeration circuit 24 includes a non-illustrated condenser, a compressor as well as a first evaporator 25 and a second evaporator 26 separate therefrom. The mixed drink producing apparatus 7 includes a first container or dispensing container 27, which is formed for receiving the first liquid 28 addable to the mixed drink, in the embodiment. The first dispensing container 27 is thermally coupled to the refrigeration circuit 24, in particular thermally coupled to the first evaporator 25. In an advantageous implementation, the first evaporator 25 surrounds the first dispensing container 27 on the outer side thereof at least in certain areas.

[0066] In the embodiment, it is provided that the mixed drink producing apparatus 7 has a second container or dispensing container 29 separate from the first dispensing container 27, which is formed for receiving a second liquid 30 different from the first liquid, which can also be added to the mixed drink. Here too, it is preferably provided that the second evaporator 25 is thermally coupled to the second dispensing container 29, in particular surrounds it on the outer side thereof at least in certain areas.

[0067] In particular, it is provided that the first liquid 28 is or has water and the second liquid 30 is or contains alcohol.

[0068] In FIG. 2, dispensing of the two liquids 28 and 30 from the dispensing containers 27 and 29 is then illustrated by arrows in sketchy manner in the schematic representation, and the two liquids 28 and 30 are mixed to a common liquid jet 31 in an advantageous implementation. However, dispensing of a jet of only one of the two liquids 28 and 30 can also be provided. It is provided that the jet 31 can be manipulated in its orientation after exit from the dispensing opening 21 by a manipulation device of the household refrigeration apparatus 1. Preferably, the manipulation device can be a gas adding unit 32, in particular a pump like an air pump. In particular, ambient air is then sucked by the pump and added to the jet 31 in such a configuration such that the orientation of this jet 31 can be specifically varied by this gas addition.

[0069] Preferably, it is provided, as it is schematically shown in FIG. 2, that the gas addition is effected before reaching the dispensing opening 21.

[0070] For manipulating the orientation and thus the jet width of the jet or the arc shape of the jet 31 after exit from the dispensing opening 21, it can additionally or instead also be provided that the manipulation device 32 is formed to increase or reduce the opening width of the dispensing opening 21 in defined manner and/or an angular position of the angle of the dispensing opening 21 is variable in defined manner. In this context, the angle is measured between the jet 31 and a wall 33, at which the dispensing opening 21 is arranged.

[0071] Therein, it is in particular provided that this width orientation of the jet 31 after exit from the dispensing opening 21 and thus also the arc size or spraying extent of this jet 31 is preset such that a place of meeting 34 with a jet 35 of an additive or addition medium 36, which is contained in a capsule 37 disposed in the mixed drink producing apparatus 7, is formed after the dispensing opening 21, but before entry into a receiving vessel 38 with regard to the height position viewed in vertical direction. In particular, this place of meeting 34 is above an edge 39 of the receiving vessel 38 in vertical direction. Desired improved mixing between the jet 31 and the jet 35 then already before entry into the receiving vessel 38 is thereby achieved.

[0072] Therein, the receiving vessel 38 is placed in the placing bay 19 (FIG. 1).

[0073] In an advantageous implementation, it is provided that the manipulation unit 32 then in particular formed as an air pump is also formed for conveying ambient air into at least one decompression chamber 40. This at least one decompression chamber 41 is in particular present if the mixed drinks capable of being dispensed by the mixed drink producing apparatus 7 can also be carbonized and thus can have carbon dioxide. In this context, it can for example be provided that the first liquid 28 and/or the second liquid 30 can be carbonized and are present at a corresponding larger pressure in the dispensing containers 27 and 29 in this context. In order to then achieve pressure reduction and thus decompression here, the liquid 28 and/or the liquid 30 are conducted into the decompression chamber 40 before reaching the dispensing opening 21 to there achieve pressure reduction, in particular to about 2 bar to 2.5 bar. From the decompression chamber 40, the mixed drink is then conducted to the dispensing opening 21 via a line 41. In FIG. 3, a check valve 42 as well as a throttle valve 43 are also exemplarily drawn. The gas amount associated with the decompression can be exhausted via the throttle valve 43. The decompression chamber 40 is in particular connected to the dispensing container 27, 29, in which a carbonized liquid is contained. If both liquids are carbonized, two separate decompression chambers are preferably present, which are each connected to one of the dispensing containers 27, 29.

[0074] The gas addition unit in the form of the air pump can also have at least two nozzles, from which the gas, in particular the ambient air, can be passed to the jet 31.

[0075] In addition, it can also be provided that the mixed drink producing apparatus 7 has a mixing element, which can be an aerator or a mixing nozzle, wherein this mixing element 44 (FIG. 2) is preferably disposed before the outlet opening 21 such that mixing of the jet 31 with the gas is improved in this mixing element.

[0076] The mixed drink producing apparatus 7 also includes a control unit 45 for controlling the dispensing of the mixed drink. In particular, the control unit 45 also controls the manipulation device 32. In particular, the control unit is also formed for controlling the opening width and/or the angular position of the dispensing opening 21. The control unit 45 is then also a manipulation device for manipulating the orientation of the jet 31.

LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

[0077] 1 Household refrigeration apparatus [0078] 2 housing [0079] 3 interior container [0080] 4 first receiving space [0081] 5 interior container [0082] 6 second receiving space [0083] 7 mixed drink producing apparatus [0084] 8 receiving area [0085] 9 housing [0086] 10 displacing device [0087] 11 rail [0088] 12 rail [0089] 13 rail [0090] 14 sidewall [0091] 15 access [0092] 16 flap [0093] 17 sidewall [0094] 18 ceiling wall [0095] 19 placing bay [0096] 20 dispensing unit [0097] 21 outlet [0098] 22 capsule receptacle [0099] 23 capsule storage [0100] 24 refrigeration circuit [0101] 25 first evaporator [0102] 26 second evaporator [0103] 27 first dispensing container [0104] 28 first liquid [0105] 29 second dispensing container [0106] 30 second liquid [0107] 31 jet [0108] 32 gas adding unit [0109] 33 wall [0110] 34 place of meeting [0111] 35 jet [0112] 36 addition medium [0113] 37 capsule [0114] 38 receiving vessel [0115] 39 edge [0116] 40 decompression chamber [0117] 41 line [0118] 42 check valve [0119] 43 throttle valve [0120] 44 mixing element [0121] 45 control unit [0122] angle