DE102023102162A1 - Device for carbonating a liquid - Google Patents

Abstract

Device (1) for carbonating a liquid, at least comprising:- a dispensing device (2) with a first liquid channel (3) and a first CO2 channel (5);- a container connection element (7) for connecting a container (8) for the liquid, wherein the container connection element (7) has a second liquid channel (4) and a second CO2 channel (6); and- an adapter (9) with a liquid connection channel (10), a first CO2 connection channel (11) and a second CO2 connection channel (12) in which a flavoring agent (13) for the liquid is located, wherein the adapter (9) is movable between a liquid dispensing position (14) in which the liquid connection channel (10) connects the first liquid channel (3) and the second liquid channel (4), a first CO2 dispensing position in which the first CO2 connection channel (11) connects the first CO2 channel (5) and the second CO2 channel (6), and a second CO2 dispensing position in which the second CO2 connection channel (12) connects the first CO2 channel (5) and the second CO2 channel (6).

Description

The present invention relates to a device for carbonating a liquid. The invention is used in particular for providing carbonated beverages in containers, such as bottles.

Devices or sanitary fittings are known by means of which a (drinkable) liquid, especially water, can be filled into a container and then mixed with carbon dioxide (CO2) under high pressure. This so-called carbonation of the liquid serves in particular to increase a refreshing effect by stimulating taste sensory cells when drinking. To produce a carbonated and flavored liquid, a user of the device or sanitary fitting must manually add a flavoring to the liquid before or after carbonation, which involves additional effort.

The object of the invention is therefore to at least partially solve the problems described with reference to the prior art and in particular to provide a device for carbonating a liquid with which a carbonated and flavored liquid can be produced with little effort.

This object is achieved with a device according to the features of the independent patent claim. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent patent claims. It should be noted that the features listed individually in the dependent patent claims can be combined with one another in any technologically reasonable manner and define further embodiments of the invention. In addition, the features specified in the patent claims are specified and explained in more detail in the description, with further preferred embodiments of the invention being presented.

• - eine Abgabeeinrichtung mit einem ersten Flüssigkeitskanal und einem ersten CO2-Kanal;
• - ein Behälteranschlusselement zum Anschließen eines Behälters für die Flüssigkeit, wobei das Behälteranschlusselement einen zweiten Flüssigkeitskanal und einen zweiten CO2-Kanal aufweist; und
• - einen Adapter mit einem Flüssigkeitsverbindungskanal, einem ersten CO2-Verbindungskanal und einem zweiten CO2-Verbindungskanal, in dem sich ein Geschmacksstoff für die Flüssigkeit befindet, wobei der Adapter zwischen
  1. a) einer Flüssigkeitsabgabeposition, in der der Flüssigkeitsverbindungskanal den ersten Flüssigkeitskanal und den zweiten Flüssigkeitskanal verbindet,
  2. b) einer ersten CO2-Abgabeposition, in der der erste CO2-Verbindungskanal den ersten CO2-Kanal und den zweiten CO2-Kanal verbindet, und
  3. c) einer zweiten CO2-Abgabeposition, in der der zweite CO2-Verbindungskanal den ersten CO2-Kanal und den zweiten CO2-Kanal verbindet,
  bewegbar ist.

This is achieved by a device for carbonating a liquid, which has at least the following:

• - a dispensing device with a first liquid channel and a first CO2 channel;
• - a container connection element for connecting a container for the liquid, the container connection element having a second liquid channel and a second CO2 channel; and
• - an adapter with a liquid connection channel, a first CO2 connection channel and a second CO2 connection channel in which a flavoring agent for the liquid is located, the adapter being between
  1. a) a liquid discharge position in which the liquid connection channel connects the first liquid channel and the second liquid channel,
  2. b) a first CO2 delivery position in which the first CO2 connection channel connects the first CO2 channel and the second CO2 channel, and
  3. c) a second CO2 delivery position in which the second CO2 connection channel connects the first CO2 channel and the second CO2 channel,
  is movable.

The device can be, for example, a dispensing device and/or a sanitary fitting. The sanitary fitting can be designed in the manner of a single-lever mixer or a kitchen fitting, be part of a drinking water installation in a building and/or serve in particular to provide a liquid as needed, in particular (drinking) water or mixed water, for example at a dispensing point, a sink and/or a washbasin. Cold water with a cold water temperature and hot water with a hot water temperature can be supplied to the device or the sanitary fitting. The cold water temperature is in particular a maximum of 25 °C (Celsius), preferably 1 °C to 25 °C, particularly preferably 5 °C to 20 °C and/or the hot water temperature is in particular a maximum of 90 °C, preferably 25 °C to 90 °C, particularly preferably 55 °C to 65 °C. The cold water and the hot water can then be mixed by the device or the sanitary fitting, for example by means of a mixing valve or a thermostat cartridge, to form the mixed water with a desired mixed water temperature.

The sanitary fitting can have a fitting housing. The fitting housing can be made at least partially of plastic and/or metal, such as brass or a zinc alloy. The fitting housing can be fastened in particular to a support, such as a (kitchen) worktop. The fitting housing can be at least partially tubular and/or designed in the manner of a hollow body. The fitting housing can have a decorative outer surface. For example, the outer surface can be chrome-plated.

The sanitary fitting can have a spout. The spout can be part of the fitting housing of the sanitary fitting. The spout can be connected to the fitting housing of the sanitary fitting, in particular rigid, movable, pivotable and/or made of The spout can be at least partially tubular and/or have a decorative outer spout surface. For example, the outer spout surface can be chrome-plated.

The device has a dispensing device with a first liquid channel and a first CO2 channel. The dispensing device can be the outlet, for example. The first liquid channel can be at least partially designed in the manner of a pipeline and/or hose line. The first liquid channel extends in particular at least partially through the dispensing device. The first liquid channel can be connected to a liquid source for the liquid. The liquid source can be, for example, a liquid reservoir, a public water supply network or the mixing valve. The first liquid channel can have a liquid outlet, which is located, for example, in the region of an outlet end of the dispensing device and/or at a longitudinal end of the dispensing device. The first CO2 channel can be at least partially designed in the manner of a pipeline and/or hose line. The first CO2 channel extends in particular at least partially through the dispensing device. The first CO2 channel can be connected to a CO2 source for CO2 (carbon dioxide). The CO2 source can be, for example, a pressure vessel. The first CO2 channel can have a first CO2 outlet, which is located, for example, in the region of the outlet end of the dispensing device and/or at the longitudinal end of the dispensing device.

The device comprises a container connection element for connecting a container for the liquid. The container can be, for example, a drinks bottle, a carafe or a drinking vessel. The container can have a liquid capacity of, for example, 0.2 l [liters] to 5 l. The container can be fastened to the container connection element in particular in a detachable manner, for example via a screw connection, bayonet connection or clamp connection. The container can be fastened to the container connection element in particular in a gas-tight manner. The container connection element can be fastened to the device, the dispensing device, the sanitary fitting, the fitting housing and/or the outlet. The container connection element can be designed at least partially in the manner of a plate. The container connection element can consist at least partially of plastic and/or metal. The container connection element has a second liquid channel for the liquid and a second CO2 channel for the CO2. The second liquid channel and/or the second CO2 channel can each be designed, for example, in the manner of a bore in the container connection element. The second liquid channel and/or the second CO2 channel can open into the container when the container is connected to the container connection element.

The device has an adapter. The adapter can be made at least partially of plastic and/or metal. The adapter can be designed in the manner of a plastic injection-molded part. The adapter can be at least partially cylindrical. The adapter can extend along a longitudinal axis, in particular a straight one. The adapter can extend from a first end face of the adapter to a second end face of the adapter. The first end face and the second end face can be opposite each other. The adapter has a liquid connection channel for the liquid, a first CO2 connection channel for the CO2 and a second CO2 connection channel for the CO2. The liquid connection channel, the first CO2 connection channel and/or the second CO2 connection channel can extend from the first end face of the adapter to the second end face of the adapter, extend at least partially parallel to the longitudinal axis, run at least partially parallel to one another and/or be designed in the manner of bores. A flavoring agent is located in the second CO2 connection channel. The flavoring agent can be, for example, a syrup or a flavoring liquid. The flavoring agent can have, for example, a fruit flavor, cola flavor or lemonade flavor. The flavoring agent can be in a cartridge or a capsule. The cartridge or capsule can be arranged in the second CO2 connection channel, in particular in a detachable and/or exchangeable manner. The CO2 can flow through the cartridge or the capsule.

The adapter is movable between a liquid dispensing position, a first CO2 dispensing position and a second CO2 dispensing position, in particular relative to the dispensing device and the container connection element. The adapter is movable in particular by the user of the device or the sanitary fitting, in particular manually or by hand. The liquid dispensing position can be a basic position or starting position of the adapter.

The liquid dispensing position serves to at least partially fill the container with the liquid. In the liquid dispensing position, the liquid connection channel connects the first liquid channel of the dispensing device and the second liquid channel of the container connection element. ments so that the liquid can flow from the first liquid channel via the liquid connection channel and the second liquid channel into the container. In the liquid dispensing position, the adapter closes in particular the first CO2 channel of the dispensing device so that no CO2 can flow into the container.

The first CO2 dispensing position is used to carbonate the liquid, in particular after the container has been at least partially filled with the liquid. In the first CO2 dispensing position, the first CO2 connecting channel connects the first CO2 channel of the dispensing device and the second CO2 channel of the container connection element, so that the CO2 can flow from the first CO2 channel via the first CO2 connecting channel and the second CO2 channel into the container to carbonate the liquid. In the first CO2 dispensing position, the adapter closes in particular the first liquid channel of the dispensing device, so that no liquid can flow into the container.

The second CO2 dispensing position is used to carbonate and flavor the liquid, in particular after the container has been at least partially filled with the liquid. In the second CO2 dispensing position, the second CO2 connecting channel connects the first CO2 channel of the dispensing device and the second CO2 channel of the container connection element, so that the CO2 can flow from the first CO2 channel via the second CO2 connecting channel and the second CO2 channel into the container to carbonate the liquid. In the second CO2 dispensing position, the adapter closes in particular the first liquid channel of the dispensing device so that no liquid can flow into the container. The flavoring in the second connecting channel can be absorbed by the CO2 as it flows through the second connecting channel and can be transported with the CO2, for example in the form of an aerosol, to the liquid in the container to flavor the liquid.

The device or sanitary fitting therefore makes it possible to produce either a carbonated liquid or a carbonated and flavoured liquid with little effort.

The adapter can be arranged between the dispensing device and the container connection element. The adapter can be attached to the dispensing device. The adapter can, for example, be screwed to the dispensing device.

A first end face of the adapter can be connected to the dispensing device and a second end face of the adapter can be connected to the container connection element.

The container connection element can be rigid relative to the dispensing device. The container connection element can be rigidly or non-movably attached to the device, the sanitary fitting, the dispensing device, the outlet, the fitting housing and/or the carrier.

The second liquid channel of the container connection element and the second CO2 channel of the container connection element can be rigid relative to the dispensing device.

A liquid outlet of the first liquid channel can be at least partially aligned with a liquid inlet of the second liquid channel and/or a first CO2 outlet of the first CO2 channel can be at least partially aligned with a CO2 inlet of the second CO2 channel.

The adapter can be rotatable about a rotation axis. In particular, the adapter is rotatable about the rotation axis between the liquid dispensing position, the first CO2 dispensing position and the second CO2 dispensing position, in particular relative to the dispensing device and the container connection element. The adapter can be moved or rotated in particular by the user of the device or the sanitary fitting, in particular manually or by hand. The rotation axis can in particular run parallel and/or coaxially to the longitudinal axis of the adapter.

The adapter can be movable from the liquid dispensing position in a first direction of movement into the first CO2 dispensing position and from the liquid dispensing position in a second direction of movement into the second CO2 dispensing position. This can mean in particular that the liquid dispensing position is formed between the first CO2 dispensing position and the second CO2 dispensing position.

The first direction of movement and the second direction of movement can be opposite directions. For example, the first direction of movement can be a clockwise rotation and the second direction can be a counterclockwise rotation (or vice versa).

The adapter can be reset to the liquid dispensing position by a reset device. This can mean in particular that the adapter can be reset from the first CO2 dispensing position and/or the second CO2 dispensing position, in particular automatically, to the liquid dispensing position by the reset device. The reset device can be designed, for example, in the form of a return spring. The reset device can be used to stop the carbonation or the carbonation and flavoring of the liquid, in particular automatically. The reset device can be used to close the first CO2 channel of the dispensing device through the adapter, in particular automatically, so that no CO2 can flow into the container.

• 1: eine Vorrichtung zum Karbonisieren einer Flüssigkeit in einer Seitenansicht; und
• 2: ein Adapter und ein Behälteranschlusselement der Vorrichtung in einer perspektivischen Explosionsdarstellung.

The invention and the technical environment are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. It should be noted that the figures show a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, but that it is not limited to this. The same components in the figures are provided with the same reference numerals. They show, by way of example and schematically:

• 1 : a device for carbonating a liquid in a side view; and
• 2 : an adapter and a container connection element of the device in a perspective exploded view.

The 1 shows a device 1 for carbonating a liquid in a side view. The device 1 is a sanitary fitting with a dispensing device 2 in the form of an outlet 24, which in the 1 is only shown in the region of its outlet end 23. The dispensing device 2 comprises a liquid channel 3 for a liquid and a first CO2 channel 5 for CO2.

The device 1 comprises a container connection element 7 which is rigidly attached to the device 1. A container 8 for receiving the liquid is connected to the container connection element 7. An adapter 9 is arranged between the dispensing device 2 and the container connection element 7, which adapter is rotatable about an axis of rotation 22 relative to the dispensing device 2 and the container connection element 7 and is cylindrical in shape here. The adapter 9 extends along an adapter longitudinal axis 25 from a first end face 17 to a second end face 18. The adapter longitudinal axis 25 runs parallel to the axis of rotation 22. The first end face 17 is connected to the dispensing device 2 so that a liquid outlet 19 of the first liquid channel 3 and a first CO2 outlet 26 of the first CO2 channel 5 are flush with the first end face 17. The second end face 18 of the adapter 9 is connected to the container connection element 7.

The 2 shows the adapter 9 and the container connection element 7 of the 1 shown device 1 in a perspective exploded view. The adapter 9 has a liquid connection channel 10, a first CO2 connection channel 11 and a second CO2 connection channel 12, which extend parallel to the axis of rotation 22 or the adapter longitudinal axis 25 from the first end face 17 to the second end face 18 of the adapter 9. A flavoring 13 is arranged in the second CO2 connection channel 12. The container connection element 7 has a second liquid channel 4 for the liquid and a second CO2 channel 6 for the CO2. The second liquid channel 4 and the second CO2 channel 6 extend parallel to the axis of rotation 22 or the adapter longitudinal axis 25 through the container connection element 7. The liquid outlet 19 of the first liquid channel 3 and a liquid inlet 21 of the second liquid channel 4 are aligned with one another. The first CO2 outlet 26 of the first CO2 channel 5 and a CO2 inlet 20 of the second CO2 channel 6 are aligned with each other.

The adapter 9 is located in the 2 in a liquid dispensing position 14 in which the liquid connection channel 10 connects the first liquid channel 3 and the second liquid channel 4, so that the liquid flows from the first liquid channel 3 via the liquid connection channel 10 of the adapter 9 and the second liquid channel 4 of the container connection element 7 into the 1 shown container 8.

The adapter 9 is rotatable from the liquid dispensing position 14 clockwise about the rotation axis 22 to a first CO2 dispensing position. In the first CO2 dispensing position, the liquid connection channel 10 does not connect the first liquid channel 3 and the second liquid channel 4, so that no liquid can flow from the first liquid channel 3 via the liquid connection channel 10 of the adapter 9 and the second liquid channel 4 of the container connection 7 into the container 8. In the first CO2 dispensing position, the first CO2 connection channel 11 connects the first CO2 channel 5 and the second CO2 channel 6, so that the CO2 can flow from the first CO2 channel 5 via the first CO2 connection channel 11 and the second CO2 channel 6 into the container 8 for carbonating the liquid. The second CO2 channel 6 has a second CO2 outlet 15, to which a CO2 lance 16 is connected, via which the CO2 can be guided into the liquid in the container 8.

The adapter 9 can be rotated from the liquid dispensing position 14 (and/or from the first CO2 dispensing position) anti-clockwise about the rotation axis 22 into a second CO2 dispensing position. In the second CO2 dispensing position, the liquid connection channel 10 does not connect the first liquid channel 3 and the second liquid channel 4, so that no liquid can flow from the first liquid channel 3 via the liquid connection connection channel 10 of the adapter 9 and the second liquid channel 4 of the container connection 7 into the container 8. In the second CO2 release position, the second CO2 connection channel 12 connects the first CO2 channel 5 and the second CO2 channel 6 so that the CO2 can flow from the first CO2 channel 5 via the second CO2 connection channel 12 and the second CO2 channel 6 into the container 8 to carbonate the liquid. The CO2 absorbs flavoring 13 from the second CO2 connection channel 12 and releases the flavoring 13 to the liquid in the container 8 so that the liquid is flavored.

The present invention makes it possible to produce a carbonated and flavoured liquid with little effort.

List of reference symbols

1

contraption

2

Dispensing facility

3

first fluid channel

4

second fluid channel

5

first CO2 channel

6

second CO2 channel

7

Container connection element

8th

container

9

adapter

10

Fluid connection channel

11

first CO2 connection channel

12

second CO2 connection channel

13

Flavoring

14

Liquid dispensing position

15

second CO2 outlet

16

CO2 lance

17

first frontal surface

18

second front surface

19

Liquid outlet

20

CO2 inlet

21

Fluid inlet

22

Rotation axis

23

Expiring

24

Outlet

25

Adapter longitudinal axis

26

first CO2 outlet

Claims (10)

Device (1) for carbonating a liquid, at least comprising: - a dispensing device (2) with a first liquid channel (3) and a first CO2 channel (5); - a container connection element (7) for connecting a container (8) for the liquid, wherein the container connection element (7) has a second liquid channel (4) and a second CO2 channel (6); and - an adapter (9) with a liquid connection channel (10), a first CO2 connection channel (11) and a second CO2 connection channel (12) in which a flavoring agent (13) for the liquid is located, wherein the adapter (9) is movable between a liquid dispensing position (14) in which the liquid connection channel (10) connects the first liquid channel (3) and the second liquid channel (4), a first CO2 dispensing position in which the first CO2 connection channel (11) connects the first CO2 channel (5) and the second CO2 channel (6), and a second CO2 dispensing position in which the second CO2 connection channel (12) connects the first CO2 channel (5) and the second CO2 channel (6). Device (1) according to Patent claim 1 , wherein the adapter (9) is arranged between the dispensing device (2) and the container connection element (7). Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a first end face (17) of the adapter (9) is connected to the dispensing device (2) and a second end face (18) of the adapter (9) is connected to the container connection element (7). Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the container connection element (7) is rigid relative to the dispensing device (2). Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second liquid channel (4) of the container connection element (7) and the second CO2 channel (6) of the container connection element (7) are rigid relative to the dispensing device (2). Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a liquid outlet (19) of the first liquid channel (3) is at least partially aligned with a liquid inlet (21) of the second liquid channel (4) or a first CO2 outlet (26) of the first CO2 channel (5) is at least partially aligned with a CO2 inlet (28) of the second CO2 channel (6). Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the adapter (9) is rotatable about an axis of rotation (22). Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the adapter (9) is movable from the liquid dispensing position (14) in a first direction of movement into the first CO2 dispensing position and from the liquid dispensing position (14) in a second direction of movement into the second CO2 dispensing position. Device (1) according to Patent claim 8 , where the first direction of movement and the second direction of movement are opposite directions. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the adapter (9) can be reset into the liquid dispensing position (14) by a reset device.

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