Mixed drink producing apparatus with an inline mixer, household refrigeration apparatus as well as method for producing a drink

Abstract

A mixed drink producing apparatus as well as to a household refrigeration apparatus with a mixed drink producing apparatus with a dispensing container, which is formed for receiving a liquid addable to a cooled 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 mixed drink producing apparatus has a gas adding unit for adding carbonizing gas to the first liquid, and the mixed drink producing apparatus has at least one inline mixer, by which the carbonizing gas added to the liquid can be disintegrated. There is also described a method for producing 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 mixed drink by the mixed drink producing apparatus, wherein the dispensing container is connected to the dispensing unit for conducting the liquid from the dispensing container to the dispensing unit, a gas adding unit for adding carbonizing gas to the first liquid, and at least one inline mixer, by which the carbonizing gas added to the liquid can be disintegrated and/or by which inline carbonization can be performed.

2. The mixed drink producing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the inline mixer is an active inline mixer.

3. The mixed drink producing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the active inline mixer is a stirrer driven by a motor.

4. The mixed drink producing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the inline mixer is a passive inline mixer.

5. The mixed drink producing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the passive inline mixer is a vortex generator.

6. The mixed drink producing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mixed drink producing apparatus has at least two inline mixers, which are connected in series with regard to flow-through of the liquid charged with the carbonizing gas.

7. The mixed drink producing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mixed drink producing apparatus has at least one further dispensing container, which is formed for receiving a second liquid addable to the cooled 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 dispensing container to the dispensing unit.

8. The mixed drink producing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the two liquids have different freezing points.

9. The household refrigeration apparatus with 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 mixed drink by the mixed drink producing apparatus, wherein the dispensing container is connected to the dispensing unit for conducting the liquid from the dispensing container to the dispensing unit, a gas adding unit for adding carbonizing gas to the first liquid, and at least one inline mixer, by which the carbonizing gas added to the liquid can be disintegrated and/or by which inline carbonization can be performed.

10. A method for producing a cooled mixed drink by a mixed drink producing apparatus, the method comprising the following steps of: providing a dispensing unit for dispensing liquid from the mixed drink producing apparatus, providing a dispensing container, which is formed for receiving a first liquid addable to a drink by 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, adding a carbonizing gas to the first liquid by a gas adding unit of the mixed drink producing apparatus, wherein the gas bubbles generated in the liquid by the introduction of the carbonizing gas are disintegrated by at least one inline mixer of the mixed drink producing apparatus and/or inline carbonization is performed.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Below, embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail based on schematic drawings. There show:

[0028] FIG. 1 a perspective partial representation of an embodiment of a household refrigeration apparatus according to the invention;

[0029] FIG. 2 a schematic representation of an embodiment of an overall container of the mixed drink producing apparatus.

PREFERRED IMPLEMENTATIONS OF THE INVENTION

[0030] In the figures, identical or functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference characters.

[0031] 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.

[0032] 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.

[0033] Moreover, the household refrigeration apparatus 1 includes a mixed drink producing apparatus 7.

[0034] 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.

[0035] 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.

[0036] 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.

[0037] The mixed drink producing apparatus 7 has a housing 9.

[0038] 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.

[0039] 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.

[0040] 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.

[0041] 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.

[0042] 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.

[0043] 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 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.

[0044] 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.

[0045] 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.

[0046] 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.

[0047] 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.

[0048] 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.

[0049] In FIG. 2, a dispensing container 24 of the mixed drink producing apparatus 7 is shown in a schematic representation. In an advantageous implementation, the mixed drink producing apparatus 7 includes a second dispensing container 25 separate therefrom, which is formed for receiving a further liquid. One of the liquids can be water or contain water and for example be received in the dispensing container 24. The further or second liquid can be alcohol or contain alcohol and be received in the further dispensing container 25.

[0050] In particular, it is provided that the liquid in the dispensing container 24 is carbonized on its conduction path from the dispensing unit 20 and thus to the dispensing opening 21 and thereto a carbonizing gas is first added to this liquid via a gas adding unit 26, in particular outside of the dispensing container 24 and in particular on the conduction path between the dispensing container 24 and the dispensing opening 21.

[0051] In the conduction path after addition of the carbonizing gas, a first inline mixer 27 is then disposed in the embodiment, through which this liquid charged with the carbonizing gas is conducted. In this first inline mixer 27, the gas bubbles generated in the liquid are disintegrated and the degree of carbonization is thereby individually adjusted. By disintegrating the gas bubbles, a sufficiently large boundary surface between the gas and the liquid is achieved and the diffusion speed is considerably increased. Thereby, considerable acceleration of the carbonization of the liquid is also achieved, and carbonization during conveyance of the liquid from the dispensing container 24 and the dispensing opening 21 and thus in particular inline carbonization is thus also achieved.

[0052] Moreover, it can also be provided that at least one second inline mixer 28 is disposed in series with the first inline mixer 27. It can also be provided that at least one bypass connection is formed between two inline mixers such that depending on through how many and/or through which inline mixers the liquid flows, different degrees of carbonization are adjustable in defined manner.

[0053] In addition or instead, it can also be provided that the liquid in the further dispensing container 25 is to be carbonized. Here too, as it is indicated in the simplified schematic representation in FIG. 2, a carbonizing gas can then be added to the liquid after exiting from the further dispensing container 25 on a conduction path between the further dispensing container 25 and the dispensing opening 21 by a further gas adding unit 29. Here too, it is then in particular provided that an inline mixer 30 is disposed on this conduction path, through which the liquid with the carbonizing gas is conducted such that disintegration of the gas bubbles in the liquid is then performed here too and the procedures and functionalities are analogous as they were explained to the inline mixers 27 and 28. Here too, at least one further inline mixer can be present in addition to the inline mixer 30, which is then also preferably connected in series therewith. With respect to the gas adding units 26 and 29, they can also be combined to a common gas adding unit. They can also be otherwise positioned.

[0054] Similarly, it can be provided that at least one inline mixer is formed for passing the liquid with the carbonizing gas from the dispensing container 24 as well as for passing the liquid with the carbonizing gas from the second dispensing container 25.

LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

[0055] 1 Household refrigeration apparatus [0056] 2 housing [0057] 3 interior container [0058] 4 first receiving space [0059] 5 interior container [0060] 6 second receiving space [0061] 7 mixed drink producing apparatus [0062] 8 receiving area [0063] 9 housing [0064] 10 displacing device [0065] 11 rail [0066] 12 rail [0067] 13 rail [0068] 14 sidewall [0069] 15 access [0070] 16 flap [0071] 17 sidewall [0072] 18 ceiling wall [0073] 19 placing bay [0074] 20 dispensing unit [0075] 21 outlet [0076] 22 capsule receptacle [0077] 23 capsule storage [0078] 24 dispensing container [0079] 25 dispensing container [0080] 26 gas adding unit [0081] 27 inline mixer [0082] 28 inline mixer [0083] 29 gas adding unit [0084] 30 inline mixer