Hybrid apparatus for preparing beverages

Abstract

A device for preparing hot beverages is provided and includes an arrangement for circulating a liquid to a beverage supply exit; and a combustion heating means, such as a burner, for supplying combustion heat to the liquid that is circulated to the supply exit. The combustion heating means can be associated: with an electric heating means for supplying electric heat to the liquid that is circulated to the supply exit and/or with a means for regulating the heat supplied to the liquid from the combustion heating means. The present disclosure further provides a device for heating a liquid comprising combustion heating means and a cathalic device for inhibiting flame formation.

The invention is claimed as follows: 
     
         1 . A device for preparing hot beverages, the device comprising:
 an arrangement for circulating a liquid from a liquid supply to a beverage supply exit; and   a combustion heating means for supplying combustion heat to the liquid that is circulated to the supply exit,   the combustion heating means being associated with an electric heating means for supplying electric heat to the liquid that is circulated to the supply exit, at least one of the combustion heating means and the electric heating means being associated with a means for regulating the heat supplied to the liquid from the at least one of the combustion heating means and the electric heating means, the regulating means comprising a temperature sensor that is arranged to measure directly or indirectly the temperature of the heated liquid for comparing the measured temperature with a target temperature, the temperature sensor being associated with one of:   (i) the electric heating means for adjusting the supply of the electric heat based on the difference between the measured temperature and the target temperature, the combustion heating means being arranged to supply an amount of combustion heat to the liquid which is below the heat required for the liquid to reach the target temperature; or   (ii) the combustion heating means for supply of the combustion heat based on the difference between the measured temperature and the target temperature, the electric heating means being arranged to supply electric heat to the liquid which is below the heat required for the liquid to reach the target temperature.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the electric heating means comprises a thermoblock having a metal-based body with a through passage for the circulation of the liquid and one or more resistances for supplying electric heat to the metal-based body. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the metal-based body with a through passage is an aluminum body with a steel passage. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the metal-based body has a generally tubular shape with a generally helicoidal through passage for the circulation of liquid. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the combustion heating means is arranged to supply heat to the liquid via the metal-based body of the thermoblock. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the electric heating means and the combustion heating means are configured such that:
 the electric heating means and the combustion heating means supply heat simultaneously to the liquid; or   only one at a time of the electric heating means and the combustion heating means supplies heat to the liquid.   
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the combustion heating means comprises a combustible supply arrangement for supplying combustible material to a burner for consuming the combustible material. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the combustion heating means further comprises a valve between the combustible supply arrangement and the burner for controlling the supply of combustible material from the supply arrangement to the burner. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the valve is selected from the group consisting of a variable valve and an on-off valve. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the combustion heating means is associated with means for regulating its heat supply, the regulating means being arranged to control the valve. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the combustion heating means is associated with an ignition means. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the ignition means is an electric ignition means. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the arrangement for circulating a liquid comprises a pump for promoting the circulation of the liquid in the arrangement. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device is arranged to be powered with an electric current supply that is at least one of a battery-type low voltage supply and the mains. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 14 , which is arranged for operation with electric heating when powered by the mains and with combustion heating when powered by the battery-type low voltage supply. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the arrangement for circulating a liquid comprises a head for containing an ingredient for the preparation of the beverage, the head leading to the supply exit and being selected from the group consisting of an extraction head and an infusion head.