Heating device with an integrated thermoblock for a beverage preparation machine

An in-line heating device operatively associated with a brewing chamber or housing for brewing a food or beverage ingredient supplied therein by circulating heated liquid therethrough wherein the in-line heating device provides heating and supplying of circulating liquid to the brewing chamber for brewing a food or beverage ingredient supplied into the brewing chamber within a capsule or pod, with the heating device comprising:

• a thermoblock with a metal mass that incorporates an inlet, an outlet and a heating chamber extending therebetween to form a passage for guiding the liquid circulating through the mass, with the mass arranged to accumulate heat and to supply heat to the liquid;
• and
• one or more electric components that are rigidly secured onto or into the thermoblock and that are connected to a printed circuit board or a flex-print arranged to control the thermoblock and optionally further functions of the liquid food or beverage preparation machine,
• wherein the one or more electric components are rigidly connected to the printed circuit board or flex-print via rigid connector pins, blades or rigid plug and socket members;
• and
• wherein the thermoblock comprises an upstream part of the brewing chamber, with the upstream part formed by or rigidly anchored in or to the metal mass so that the rigid passage of the metal mass extends into the brewing chamber.

An in-line heating device operatively associated with a brewing chamber or housing for brewing a food or beverage ingredient supplied therein by circulating heated liquid therethrough wherein the in-line heating device provides heating and supplying of circulating liquid to the brewing chamber for brewing a food or beverage ingredient supplied into the brewing chamber within a capsule or pod, with the heating device comprising:

• a thermoblock with a metal mass that incorporates an inlet, an outlet and a heating chamber extending therebetween to form a passage for guiding the liquid circulating through the mass, with the mass arranged to accumulate heat and to supply heat to the liquid;
• and;
• wherein the thermoblock comprises an upstream part of the brewing chamber, with the upstream part formed by or rigidly anchored in or to the metal mass so that the rigid passage of the metal mass extends into the brewing chamber;
• and
• a printed circuit board with a control unit for controlling the heating device and optionally further functions of the machine including a pump or an electric interface, and wherein at least one of the actuator, the user switch and, when present, a safety sensor, is rigidly connected to the printed circuit board, optionally on a part thereof that is electrically insulated from the control unit;
• one or more electric components that are rigidly secured onto or into the thermoblock and that are connected to the printed circuit board and arranged to control the thermoblock and optionally further functions of the liquid food or beverage preparation machine;
• wherein the one or more electric components are rigidly connected to the printed circuit board via rigid connector pins, blades or rigid plug and socket members.