Patent ID: 8573116

Claim:
An in-line heating device for a liquid food or beverage preparation machine, in which machine liquid is circulated through the heating device and then guided into a 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; a printed circuit board contained in an impervious or thermal and electric insulating housing that is mechanically connected to the thermoblock and that has one or more openings for the passage of electrical connectors for connecting to the printed circuit board to the one or more electric components that are rigidly secured on or in the thermoblock; 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 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 or flex-print via rigid connector pins, blades or rigid plug and socket members.