Dispensing device for the dispensing of coffee and/or milk and/or milk foam, drink preparation machine with a dispensing device and method for the assembly of a dispensing device

Abstract

The dispensing device for the dispensing of coffee and/or milk and/or milk foam comprises: at least a first fluid duct for the supply of coffee and a second fluid duct for the supply of steam, wherein the first fluid duct opens out into at least one coffee discharge pipe and the second fluid duct has an outlet opening for the steam; a mixing arrangement for the mixing of milk with steam and/or air, which mixing arrangement comprises a milk duct for the supply of milk, an air duct for the supply of air, an inlet opening for the supply of steam and a discharge pipe for the dispensing of milk and/or milk foam; a housing, which at least partially surrounds the respective fluid ducts, the coffee discharge pipe and the mixing arrangement. The housing comprises a first housing part and a second housing part. The respective fluid ducts are constructed on or in the first housing part. In the second housing part a recess is constructed to receive the mixing arrangement. The first housing part and the second housing part are able to be assembled together such that, if the mixing arrangement is received into the recess in the second housing part, the mixing arrangement assumes a position relative to the second fluid duct in which a fluid connection is produced between the outlet opening of the second fluid duct and the inlet opening of the mixing arrangement for the supply of steam.

That which is claimed is: 
     
         1 . Method for the assembly of a dispensing device, wherein the dispensing device comprises:
 a fluid duct group for the supply of several fluids, which fluid duct group comprises at least a first fluid duct for the supply of coffee and a second fluid duct for the supply of steam, wherein the first fluid duct opens out into at least one coffee discharge pipe and the second fluid duct has an outlet opening for the steam;   a mixing arrangement for the mixing of milk with steam and/or air, which mixing arrangement has a chamber, a milk duct for the supply of milk into the chamber, an air duct for the supply of air into the chamber, an inlet opening for the supply of steam into the chamber, and a discharge pipe for the dispensing of milk and/or milk foam out from the chamber;   a housing which at least partially surrounds the fluid duct group, the respective coffee discharge pipe and the mixing arrangement,   wherein the mixing arrangement is able to be brought into a first predetermined position relative to the second fluid duct, in which position a fluid connection is produced between the outlet opening of the second fluid duct and the inlet opening of the mixing arrangement for the supply of steam into the chamber,   wherein the housing comprises at least a first housing part and a second housing part,   wherein the fluid duct group is arranged on the first housing part or is constructed in the first housing part,   wherein a recess to receive the mixing arrangement is constructed in the second housing part, into which recess the mixing arrangement is able to be inserted such that the mixing arrangement is held in a second predetermined position relative to the second housing part, and   wherein the first housing part and the second housing part are able to be assembled together such that, if the mixing arrangement is received into the recess in the second housing part, the mixing arrangement assumes the first predetermined position relative to the second fluid duct; and   wherein the method comprises:
 inserting the mixing arrangement into the second housing part, and 
 assembling together the second housing part and the first housing part. 
   
     
     
         2 . Method according to  claim 1 , in which the mixing arrangement is inserted into the second housing part such that an end section of the discharge pipe for the dispensing of milk and/or milk foam is guided through an opening, which is constructed in the second housing part. 
     
     
         3 . Method according to  claim 1 , in which the mixing arrangement is inserted into the second housing part such that a guidance section, arranged on the mixing arrangement, is brought in secure engagement with a recess constructed on the second housing part. 
     
     
         4 . Method according to  claim 1 , in which the second housing part is placed onto the first housing part such that at least one guidance element, which is arranged on the first housing part, is brought in engagement with a counter-guidance element constructed on the second housing part. 
     
     
         5 . Method according to  claim 1 , in which on assembling together the second housing part and the first housing part, the respective coffee discharge pipe is brought at least partially in engagement with a guidance arrangement which is constructed on the second housing part.