Device for dispensing treated tap water

Abstract

A device for dispensing treated tap water is described, comprising a beverage dispenser (10) with a connection (11) for supplying tap water and a housing (12) in which treatment elements (20) for the supplied tap water and an electronic control unit (30) are arranged. The electronic control unit (30) recognizes an identification means (40) provided by a user, queries a corresponding data profile of a predefined beverage type, and the treatment elements (20) adapt the tap water to the beverage type stored according to the data profile. The invention was based on the objective of further developing a device for dispensing treated tap water in such a way that the beverage type and quantity can be selected independently of the drinking vessel (50) used.The task is solved by using a mobile device (40) belonging to the user as the means of identification (40).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for dispensing treated tap water according to the features set out in the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] These devices provide access to purified tap water in public spaces, particularly train stations and airports, allowing for spontaneous consumption of a beverage without the need to carry it around. Furthermore, regardless of the location or the varying composition of the source tap water, the purified tap water can be adjusted to the individual user's taste preferences using the device's integrated purification elements. In addition to the significant convenience of not having to carry water, the device also contributes to reducing waste from plastic bottles and the CO2 emissions generated during their production.

[0003] Similar devices are already known from the prior art. EP 4 299 503 A1, for example, proposes a beverage dispenser with accompanying drinking vessels, in the base of which a machine-readable chip, in particular an RFID chip, is integrated. After the drinking vessel is inserted into the designated dispensing point of the beverage dispenser, this machine-readable chip is identified by a sensor and, provided the drinking vessel is correctly positioned, is immediately filled with drinking water. The type and quantity of drinking water to be dispensed are retrieved from a database after the drinking vessel has been identified. This database is pre-configured by the user. In practice, however, it has proven disadvantageous to always have to carry the same drinking vessel with the integrated machine-readable chip to use the beverage dispenser.

[0004] For this reason, the invention was based on the objective of further developing a device for dispensing treated tap water in such a way that the type and quantity of beverage can be selected independently of the drinking vessel used.

[0005] The problem is solved according to the invention with the features of claim 1.

[0006] Raw water is generally understood to be tap water fed into the public water supply network by a water utility. The beverage type can be table water modified to suit the user's taste and may also include the addition of syrups, juices, or tea.

[0007] A mobile device is understood to be, in particular, a portable communication device that can be used for voice and data communication regardless of location, e.g., mobile phones, smartphones, netbooks, notebooks, or tablets. It is also possible to use smartwatches or fitness watches to operate the beverage dispenser. In principle, the use of an NFC-enabled mobile phone is also possible. NFC is an international transmission standard based on RFID technology for the contactless exchange of data via electromagnetic induction using loosely coupled coils over short distances of a few centimeters and a data transmission rate of up to 424 kbit / s. The mobile device identifies the user and logs them in to the beverage dispenser.

[0008] It may also be possible to use a Bluetooth connection, a connection via an available mobile network or a wireless internet connection (WiFi) for user identification between the beverage dispenser and the mobile device.

[0009] A key advantage of the invention is that it allows for the dispensing of previously personalized beverage types regardless of location, time, and, with regard to the user's mobile device, also regardless of the device used.

[0010] Advantageously, the electronic control unit is connected to a screen displaying a machine-readable code. The screen can also perform additional functions, such as showing the user personalized advertising or other personalized information during the production of a particular beverage type.

[0011] Preferably, the user is identified after scanning the code displayed on the screen using their mobile device. For this optical method, the user first scans the code displayed on the screen with their mobile device and confirms it via the wireless connection to the beverage dispenser. The user is now logged in and can place an order for the beverage type according to their saved profile.

[0012] Alternatively or additionally, the electronic control unit can include a contactless short-range receiver unit that interacts with the mobile device. In this version, the pairing of the user and the beverage dispenser occurs directly via the NFC transmission standard and again only requires a corresponding confirmation on the mobile device.

[0013] The data profile is conveniently stored on the mobile device and can be accessed by the short-range receiver unit. In this case, the beverage dispenser can also be used without its internet connection and connection to an external database.

[0014] According to another specific configuration, the electronic control unit is connected to the internet wirelessly or via cable. In this case, the data profile is logically stored on an external server and can be accessed by the electronic control unit via the internet.

[0015] Ideally, an app is installed on the mobile device, which allows the data profile of the beverage type to be changed, preferably via the internet.

[0016] It has proven particularly advantageous to have a control button on the housing that initiates the dispensing of the beverage type stored in the data profile. This control button can be a mechanical switch. If a touchscreen is present, the control button can also be displayed as a symbol on the screen and activated via the screen.

[0017] Preferably, the processing elements comprise an ion exchange filter, an activated carbon filter, a (continuous) carbonator, a temperature control device and / or a concentrate mixer.

[0018] Water filtration systems that use ion exchange utilize the charges in the water, which depend on the type of particles dissolved in the water. These charged particles are cations and anions. Cations are positively charged ions that are missing one electron. Anions are particles that have an extra electron and are therefore negatively charged.

[0019] Cations include elements such as calcium, potassium, and magnesium, but also copper, lead, aluminum, cesium, and cadmium—these are considered problematic from a health perspective and should not be present in drinking water. Anions include iodide, bromide, hydrogen sulfates, and undesirable nitrites, nitrates, and phosphates. Ion exchange filters have the ability, due to their physicochemical properties, to remove or, more accurately, exchange dissolved elements in water that occur as charged particles. For example, if calcium, which has a double positive charge, is to be reduced from the water, it is replaced by positively charged sodium from the filter resin of the ion exchange filter. It is also possible to use positively charged hydrogen ions to exchange anions for negatively charged hydroxide ions.The so-called water hardness is also directly dependent on dissolved ionic minerals such as calcium, magnesium and sulfates and can be influenced by the ion exchange filter.

[0020] The activated carbon filter mechanically retains larger suspended solids. Simultaneously, the filter's upper contact surface attracts and binds impurities and pollutants due to its charge. As the tap water flows through the filter, it is purified of unwanted substances. These include organic substances such as chlorinated hydrocarbons, pesticides and herbicides, pharmaceuticals, chloride, and basic metals like zinc, copper, and mercury.

[0021] The carbonator adds carbon dioxide to the tap water, whereby, depending on the setting of the carbonator, the tap water can be strongly or weakly carbonated.

[0022] The temperature control device allows the temperature of the ready-to-serve beverage to be adjusted according to the user's preference.

[0023] The concentrate mixer is only used when a flavoring is to be added to otherwise already treated tap water. Juices, teas, or concentrated syrups are particularly suitable for this purpose.

[0024] It may also be possible to display personalized information on the screen and / or mobile device during the bottling process of a particular beverage type. This information may include images or video sequences, which may also contain personalized advertising.

[0025] Appropriately, the personalized information includes the amount of CO2 equivalent saved by the user over the usage time or dispensed volume of the beverage type, compared to using the same amount of water in standard bottles. The standard bottle is defined as an independently determined value of CO2 equivalents that a bottle container typically requires over its lifetime to transport and dispense one liter of liquid.

[0026] Ideally, the electronic control unit and the mobile devices of all users should be part of a blockchain. A particularly advantageous implementation involves the electronic control unit generating a virtual coin equivalent to the value of the CO2 saved, storing it locally, and / or placing it on a blockchain.

[0027] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to two figures. These show the Fig. 1: an exploded view of a device according to the invention and Fig. 2: A front view of the device with the housing cover open.

[0028] The Fig. Figure 1 shows an exploded view of a device for dispensing treated tap water, comprising a beverage dispenser 10, which includes a box-shaped housing 12 and a housing panel 12a that at least partially covers the housing 12 on the outside. The housing 12 can, in particular, be formed from a truss-like support structure 12b and a rear panel 12c attached to it. Further components of the beverage dispenser 10, such as a screen 13, treatment elements 20, and / or the housing panel 12a, are attached to the support structure 12b.

[0029] The treatment elements 20 are housed within the casing 12 and, in the illustrated embodiment, are located within the contour of the support structure 12a. The treatment elements 20 include, for example, an ion exchange filter 21, an activated carbon filter 22, a carbonator 23, a temperature control device 24, and / or a concentrate mixer 25. Tap water to be treated enters the beverage dispenser 10 via a connection 11 leading out of the casing 12 in the area of ​​the rear wall 12c.

[0030] The connection 11 for the tap water is connected to a pipe running inside the housing 12 (not shown here), through which the tap water is supplied to the treatment elements 20 in the flow direction x. Depending on the chemical composition of the tap water, the ion exchange filter 21 and the activated carbon filter 22 adjust the taste of the tap water so that the ready-to-serve beverage meets the individual expectations of the user.

[0031] The carbonator allows for the addition of carbon dioxide, and the temperature control unit 24 ensures a higher or lower temperature for the dispensed beverage. Juices or syrups can be added via the optionally switchable concentrate mixer 25 if the user wishes to consume a soft drink instead of water.

[0032] The beverage dispenser 10 can identify the user via their mobile device 40, which typically supports near-field communication and communicates with a near-field receiver unit 31 of an electronic control unit 30. After successful identification of the user, the electronic control unit 30 can establish an internet connection via a network port 32 or a network dongle 33 and retrieve an individual user profile from a database. Within the framework of this user profile, the electronic control unit 30 receives data for commissioning and controlling the processing elements 20 for the purpose of setting parameters for the type of beverage to be produced and the quantity of that beverage to be dispensed.

[0033] Alternatively, user identification and login can also be performed optically via screen 13. Screen 13 is attached to the housing 12, specifically to its support structure 12b. Flush with screen 13, the housing bezel 12b has a housing opening 15 through which screen 13 is visible from the outside.

[0034] If a screen 13 with a touch-screen function is used, the surface of the screen 13 can be touched through the housing opening 15.

[0035] To use the beverage dispenser 10, the user scans a machine-readable code, such as a QR code, provided on the screen 13 using their mobile device 40, and establishes a connection to the beverage dispenser 10.

[0036] In this form of user identification as well, the electronic control unit 30 then retrieves the user profile stored in a database and manipulates the supplied tap water by means of the processing elements 20 in order to provide the beverage type set by the user in the database.

[0037] After user identification, the user can request the beverage type using a control button 14 provided on the beverage dispenser 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the control button 14 is shown as such on the screen 13 and, due to the touchscreen design of the screen 13, can also be operated via the screen. In principle, however, the control button 14 could also be a mechanical switch on the housing panel 12a.

[0038] The housing panel 12a has a housing opening 16, which allows access to a dispensing base 17 located behind it, which is essentially horizontally oriented. Before requesting the beverage type, the user places a suitable drinking vessel 50 on the dispensing base 17, which is then filled by the beverage dispenser 10 via a beverage outlet 18. The beverage outlet 18 is operatively connected to the upstream processing elements 20.

[0039] The Fig.Figure 2 shows a front view of the beverage dispenser 10 with the housing panel 12a swung out, revealing some of the water treatment elements 20. The supplied tap water is pumped through the water treatment elements 20 by the pressure pump 26 and from there flows via hoses (not shown) to the dispensing unit 27 located on the inside of the housing panel 12a. The dispensing unit 27 has a flow regulator and a cooperating solenoid valve, which ensures precise dispensing of the beverage type through the beverage outlet 18. REFERENCE MARK LIST 10 beverage dispensers 11. Mains water connection 12 cases 12a Housing cover 12b Support structure housing 12c Back panel 13 screen 14 Operating button 15 Case opening Screen 16 Housing opening Drinking vessel 17 Tap bottom Drinking vessel 18 Drink outlets 20 processing elements 21 ion exchange filters 22 activated carbon filters 23 Carbonizer 24 Temperature control device 25 Concentrate mixers 26 Pressure pump 27 output units 30 electronic control unit 31 Short-range receiver unit 32 network connection 33 network dongles 40 mobile devices 50 drinking vessels x Flow direction QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] EP 4 299 503 A1

[0003]

Claims

[1] Device for dispensing treated tap water, comprising a beverage dispenser (10) with a connection (11) for supplying tap water and a housing (12) in which treatment elements (20) for the supplied tap water and an electronic control unit (30) are arranged, wherein the electronic control unit (30) recognizes an identification means (40) provided by a user, queries an associated data profile of a predefined beverage type, and the treatment elements (20) adapt the tap water to the beverage type stored according to the data profile. characterized by , that the means of identification (40) is a mobile device (40) belonging to the user. [2] Device according to claim 1, characterized by , that the electronic control unit (30) is connected to a screen (13) and a machine-readable code is displayed on the screen (13). [3] Device according to claim 2, characterized by , that after scanning the code using the mobile device (40) the user is identified. [4] Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by , that the electronic control unit (30) has a contactless short-range receiver unit (31) which interacts with the mobile terminal (40). [5] Device according to claim 4, characterized by , that the data profile is stored on the mobile device (40) and can be retrieved by the short-range receiver unit (31). [6] Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by , that the electronic control unit (30) is connected to the Internet wirelessly or via a cable. [7] Device according to claim 6, characterized by , that the data profile is stored on an external server and can be accessed by the electronic control unit (30) via the Internet. [8] Device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by , that an app is installed on the mobile device (40) which allows the data profile of the beverage type to be changed via the Internet. [9] Device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by , that a control button (14) is arranged on the housing (12), with which an ejection of the beverage type stored in the data profile is initiated. [10] Device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by that the processing elements (20) comprise an ion exchange filter (21), an activated carbon filter (22), a carbonizer (23), a temperature control device (24) and / or a concentrate mixer (25). [11] Device according to any one of claims 2 to 10, characterized by , that personalized information is displayed on the screen (13) and / or the mobile device (40) during the filling of the beverage type. [12] Device according to claim 11, characterized by that the personalized information includes an amount of CO2 equivalent saved, accumulated by the user over the usage time or the volume of beverage type dispensed, compared to using the same amount of water using standard bottles. [13] Device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized by , that the electronic control unit (30) and the mobile devices (40) of all users are part of a blockchain. [14] Device according to claim 13 insofar as it relates back to claim 12, characterized by , that the electronic control unit (30) generates a virtual coin with the value of the CO2 equivalent saved, stores it locally and / or places it on a blockchain.

Images