Beverage preparation device with a washing means

A device for the automated preparation of beverages, comprising

• a dispensing element (1), which comprises a plurality of dispensing openings (2) for dispensing individual beverage ingredients, and
• a washing means (3) for dispensing a rinsing liquid, wherein the washing means (3) is arranged in a holding area (5) at a distance from the dispensing element (1),
• wherein the washing means (3) is removable from the holding area (5), and wherein a receiving area (4) is provided on the dispensing element (1), which is designed for at least partially receiving the washing means (3), characterized in that a valve element (22) is provided, which comprises a rinsing liquid inlet (23), an ingredient inlet (24) and a liquid outlet (25), which is connected to at least one dispensing opening (2), wherein the rinsing liquid inlet (23) opens into a rinsing liquid channel and the ingredient inlet (24) opens into an ingredient channel, and wherein the rinsing liquid channel and the ingredient channel converge to a common liquid channel, which opens into the liquid outlet (25), wherein the washing means (3) comprises a mechanically or electronically actuated outlet valve (6), for the rinsing liquid, configured to, upon actuation, enable flow of a rinsing liquid through only the rinsing liquid inlet (23) to the liquid outlet (25).