Device and sanitary fitting for filling a container with a carbonated liquid

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for filling a container (2) with a carbonated liquid, comprising at least one top part (3) and one bottom part (4) which has a container connection (5) for fastening the container (2) to the device (1). The bottom part (4) can be moved, in a restricted manner, relative to the top part (3) between a closed position (23) and a venting position (6). When fastening the container (2) to the container connection (5), the bottom part (4) can be shifted into the closed position (23) by the container, and when detaching the container (2) from the container connection (5), the bottom part (4) can be shifted into the venting position (6) by the container (2), and therefore when the bottom part (4) is in the venting position (6), excess pressure in the container (2) can be reduced before the container (2) is detached from the container connection (5).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device and a sanitary fitting for filling a container with a carbonated liquid. The invention is particularly suitable for providing carbonated beverages in containers, such as bottles.

[0002] Devices and sanitary fittings are known by means of which (drinkable) liquids, such as tap water, are mixed with carbon dioxide (CO2) under high pressure in a carbonator pot, for example from US 3,881,636 A. This so-called carbonation of liquids serves in particular to increase a refreshing effect by stimulating taste buds when drinking. The carbonated liquid can then be filled into a container, such as a drinks bottle. For this purpose, the container is attached to the device or the sanitary fitting using a bayonet lock, for example, and the carbonated liquid is fed from the carbonator pot to the container via a liquid line. When the container is filled, the pressure in the container increases, so that the container is difficult to remove from the device or the sanitary fitting due to the excess pressure and the resulting frictional force in the bayonet lock.the sanitary fitting. This leads to a loss of comfort when using such devices and sanitary fittings.

[0003] 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 and a sanitary fitting for filling a container with a carbonated liquid, from which a pressurised container can be easily detached.

[0004] This object is achieved with a device and a sanitary fitting according to the features of patent claims 1 and 9. 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 expedient manner and define further embodiments of the invention. Furthermore, the features listed in the patent claims are further specified and explained in the description, with further preferred embodiments of the invention being presented.

[0005] A device for filling a container with a carbonated liquid contributes to this, which device has at least the following components: an upper part and a lower part with a container connection for fastening the container to the device, wherein the lower part is displaceable to a limited extent relative to the upper part between a closed position and a venting position, and wherein the lower part is adjustable into the closed position by the container when the container is fastened to the container connection, and the lower part is adjustable into the venting position by the container when the container is released from the container connection, so that an overpressure in the container in the venting position of the lower part can be reduced before the container is released from the container connection.

[0006] The device can, for example, be a dispensing device, such as a sanitary fitting, an outlet for such a dispensing device, or an adapter that can be connected to such a dispensing device. Such sanitary fittings are used in particular to provide mixed water as needed at a tap, a sink, a washbasin, a shower, and / or a bathtub. For this purpose, cold water at a cold water temperature and hot water at a hot water temperature can be regularly supplied to 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 and hot water can then be mixed through the plumbing fixture, for example, using a mixing valve or a thermostatic cartridge, to create a mixed water with a desired temperature. Additionally, the proposed plumbing fixture or device can be used to fill a container, such as a beverage bottle, carafe, or drinking vessel, with a carbonated liquid.

[0007] For this purpose, the device has a container connection on a lower part for connecting the container to the device. By means of the container connection, the container can be fastened to the device, in particular detachably. For this purpose, the container connection can be designed, for example, in the manner of a bayonet lock, screw cap, snap lock or clamp lock. Furthermore, a seal can be provided in the region of the container connection so that the container can be connected to the device in a liquid-tight and / or gas-tight manner. This allows the device and the container to form a closed system. The lower part can be displaced to a limited extent relative to an upper part of the device between a closed position and a venting position. In particular, the lower part can be rotated to a limited extent relative to the upper part between the closed position and the venting position.Limited here means in particular that the lower part can no longer be displaced or rotated (in the same direction) once the closed position or the venting position has been reached. For example, the lower part can be rotated relative to the upper part between the closed position and the venting position with an angle of rotation of 20° to 340°, preferably 20° to 180°, particularly preferably 20° to 90°. When the container is attached to the container connection, the lower part is (automatically) moved into the closed position by the container. For example, a frictional force can act between the container and the lower part when the container is attached to the container connection, so that the lower part is moved with the container until the lower part reaches the closed position.

[0008] After attaching the container to the lower part, the container can be filled with the carbonated liquid. For this purpose, fluid channels can be formed in the upper and / or lower parts through which the carbonated liquid can be fed into a receiving space in the container.

[0009] For this purpose, the upper part can be attached to an outlet of a sanitary fitting via a coupling. The carbonated liquid can be conducted from a liquid source into the container via the outlet. The liquid source can be, for example, a storage container for the carbonated liquid or a carbonation device for carbonating a liquid, for example in the manner of a carbonator pot. By means of the carbonation device, the liquid can be supplied, in particular CO2, under high pressure, so that the CO2 dissolves in the liquid. In addition, the device can have at least one pressure relief valve with which a target pressure can be set during filling in the container. The target pressure can be, for example, 1 bar to 20 bar, preferably 1 bar to 8 bar. Before the container is filled, an ambient pressure of, for example, approximately 1 bar prevails in the container.At the beginning of a filling process, the pressure in the container increases until the target pressure is reached.

[0010] The excess pressure in the container creates a high frictional force between the container and the lower part, so that when the container is detached from the container connection, the lower part is adjusted or rotated by the container into the venting position. In the venting position of the lower part, the container's receiving space is connected to the environment, for example, by opening a valve, so that the pressure in the container drops to ambient pressure, e.g., approximately 1 bar, or one atmospheric pressure. This reduces the frictional force between the container and the lower part, allowing the container to be easily detached from the lower part.

[0011] A vent channel in the lower part can be closed in the closed position and open in the venting position. The vent channel can be designed, for example, as a bore in the lower part. Furthermore, the receiving space of the container can be connected to the environment via the vent channel when the lower part is in the venting position, so that gases can escape from the receiving space of the container. In the closed position of the lower part, the vent channel is closed, for example, with a valve or a seal, so that no gases can escape from the receiving space of the container.

[0012] A seal on the upper part can open the venting channel when the lower part is moved into the venting position. The seal can, for example, extend in a direction of movement of the lower part between the closed position and the venting position. Furthermore, the seal can be annular or ring-segment-shaped. The seal can also be arranged at a longitudinal end of the venting channel. When the lower part is moved into the venting position, the lower part can be moved away from the seal, thus opening the longitudinal end of the venting channel.

[0013] The venting channel can be connected to a connecting channel in the upper part when the lower part is moved to the venting position. This can be achieved, for example, by aligning the longitudinal end of the venting channel with a longitudinal end of the connecting channel in the upper part when the lower part is in the venting position. The container's receiving space can then be connected to the environment via the venting channel and the connecting channel, allowing gases to escape from the receiving space.

[0014] A spring element can release the venting channel when the lower part is adjusted to the venting position. The spring part can be arranged at least partially in the venting channel of the lower part. Furthermore, the spring element can have a valve head, in particular at a longitudinal end, which, in the closed position of the lower part, can be pushed or pulled onto a valve seat, for example at a longitudinal end of the venting channel, by a spring of the spring element. The spring can be a tension spring, in particular. When the lower part is adjusted to the venting position, the valve head can be lifted off the valve seat, so that the venting channel is released. For this purpose, the spring element can be adjustable by the upper part when the lower part is moved to the venting position.

[0015] The spring element can be supported on a ramp of the upper part, which has a gradient in a direction of movement of the lower part. The gradient of the ramp can be designed such that the valve head of the spring element is located on the valve seat when the lower part is in the closed position, and the valve head is lifted off the valve seat by the ramp when the lower part is in the open position.

[0016] The upper part and the lower part can be connected to each other by a thread. The thread allows the lower part to be adjustable relative to the upper part during its movement between the venting position and the closed position, in particular parallel to a rotational axis of the lower part. The thread, in particular, has a smaller diameter than the container connection. For example, the thread can have a maximum diameter of half that of the container connection.

[0017] A blocking element of the upper part can limit the mobility of the lower part relative to the upper part. The blocking element can be designed, for example, as a screw, pin, or bolt. Furthermore, the blocking element can serve as a stop for the lower part in the venting and closed positions.

[0018] The blocking element can engage in a groove in the lower part. The groove can extend in a direction of movement of the lower part between the venting position and the closed position. The longitudinal ends of the groove end, in particular, in the closed or venting position of the lower part.

[0019] According to a further aspect of the invention, a sanitary fitting comprising a spout with an outlet opening is also provided, wherein a device according to the invention is arranged at the outlet opening. The sanitary fitting can have a housing that can be attached, for example, to a work surface or a sink. The spout can, for example, be rotatably attached to the housing.

[0020] For details of the sanitary fitting, please refer to the description of the device.

[0021] 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 particularly preferred embodiments of the invention, but the invention is not limited thereto. Identical components in the figures are provided with the same reference numerals. They show, by way of example and schematically: Fig. 1: a first variant of a device for filling a container in a first view; Fig. 2: the first variant of the device for filling a container in a second view; Fig. 3: a second variant of a device for filling a container; and Fig. 4: a third variant of a device for filling a container.

[0022] The Fig. 1shows a first representation of a first variant of a device 1 for filling a container 2 with a carbonated liquid in longitudinal section. Device 1 comprises an upper part 3 and a lower part 4. The upper part 3 has a coupling 15 on its upper side 16, which here is designed in the manner of a bayonet lock. The upper part 3 is fastened via the coupling 15 to an outlet opening 17 of an outlet 18 of a sanitary fitting (not shown in detail here). The container 2 is fastened to the lower part 4 via a container connection 5, which here is also designed in the manner of a bayonet lock. For this purpose, the container 2 is inserted with its opening 22 into the container connection 5 and rotated. Liquid channels 20 are formed in the upper part 3 and the lower part 4, via which liquid channels the carbonated liquid can be fed from the outlet 18 into a receiving space 19 of the container 2.

[0023] The Fig. 2shows the first variant of the device 1 without the container 2 and the outlet 18. To attach the container 2 to the container connection 5 of the lower part 4, the container 2 is rotated clockwise about a rotation axis 21. During the rotation of the container 2, the lower part 4 is rotated about the rotation axis 21 relative to the upper part 3 by the container 2 fastened to the lower part 4, until a blocking element 13, which is designed here in the manner of a screw and engages in a groove 14 of the lower part 4, blocks further rotation of the lower part 4 relative to the upper part 3. A thread 12 is formed between the lower part 4 and the upper part 3, so that the lower part 4 is screwed against a seal 8 of the upper part 3 during its rotation about the rotation axis 21. This closes a vent channel 7 of the lower part 4, so that from the Fig. 1shown receiving space 19 of the container 2, no gases can escape into the environment via the vent channel 7. The lower part 4 is located in the Fig. 2 therefore in a closed position 23. In the closed position 23, the container 2 can be filled with a carbonated liquid, whereby the pressure in the receiving space 19 increases.

[0024] To detach the container 2 from the lower part 4, the container 2 is rotated counterclockwise about the rotation axis 21. Due to the pressure prevailing in the receiving space 19, a frictional connection exists between the container 2 and the lower part 4, so that the lower part 4 is rotated with the container 2 counterclockwise about the rotation axis 21. As a result, the lower part 4 is rotated relative to the upper part 3 in the direction of a venting position 6 (not shown here), until the blocking element 13 blocks further rotation of the lower part 4. The thread 12 moves the lower part 4 away from the upper part 3 parallel to the rotation axis 21. As a result, the seal 8 is lifted from a longitudinal end of the venting channel 7, so that gases are released from the receiving space 19 (cf. Fig. 1) of the container 2 can escape into an environment 25 via the vent channel 7 and gap(s) 24 between the upper part 3 and the lower part 4, and the pressure in the receiving space 19 drops to ambient pressure. The container 2 can thus be easily detached from the lower part 4.

[0025] The Fig. 3 shows a second variant of the device 1 in a longitudinal section. The lower part 4 is also limited in rotation relative to the upper part 3 about the rotation axis 21 by a container 2 (not shown here). In contrast to the Fig. 1 and 2 In contrast to the first variant of the device 1 shown, in the second variant no thread 12 is formed between the upper part 3 and the lower part 4, so that the lower part 4 is not moved parallel to the rotation axis 21 during its rotational movement. The lower part 4 is located in the Fig. 3in a venting position 6, in which the venting channel 7 is connected to a connecting channel 9 of the upper part 3 via a venting opening 26 in the seal 8. This allows gases to escape from the receiving space 19 of the container 2 (cf. Fig. 1 ) via the venting channel 7, the venting opening 26 in the seal 8, and the connecting channel 9 into the environment 25 until the pressure in the receiving space 19 has dropped to ambient pressure. When the lower part 4 is rotated into a closed position 23 (not shown here), the venting channel 7 is closed by the seal 8. Otherwise, the second variant of the device 1 is identical to the first variant of the device 1.

[0026] The Fig. 4shows a third variant of the device 1 in a longitudinal section. In this variant, a spring element 10 is arranged in the venting channel 7 of the lower part 4, the valve head 27 of which is pulled by a spring 29 onto a valve seat 28 at a longitudinal end of the venting channel 7 in a closed position 23 of the lower part 4 (not shown here). As a result, the venting channel 7 is closed in the closed position 23. The spring element 10 is supported with a longitudinal end on a ramp 11 of the upper part 3. The ramp 11 has a gradient such that when the lower part 4 is adjusted to the venting position 6 shown here, the spring element 10 is moved parallel to the axis of rotation 21 (downward) and the valve head 27 is lifted off the valve seat 28. As a result, the venting channel 7 is opened so that gases from the Fig. 1shown receiving space 19 of the container 2 via the venting channel 7 and gap 24 between the upper part 3 and the lower part 4 into the environment 25 until the pressure in the receiving space 19 has dropped to the ambient pressure. Otherwise, the third variant of the device 1 is identical to the first or second variant of the device 1.

[0027] The present invention makes a container for a carbonated liquid particularly easy to detach. List of reference symbols

[0028] 1Device 2Container 3Upper part 4Lower part 5Container connection 6Venting position 7Venting channel 8Seal 9Connecting channel 10Spring element 11Ramp 12Thread 13Blocking element 14Groove 15Coupling 16Top 17Outlet opening 18Outlet 19Receiving space 20Liquid channel 21Rotation axis 22Opening 23Closing position 24Gap 25Ambient 26Venting opening 27Valve head 28Valve seat 29Spring

Claims

1. A device (1) for filling a container (2) with a carbonated liquid, comprising at least: - one top part (3) and - one bottom part (4) having a container connection (5) for fastening the container (2) to the device (1), wherein the bottom part (4) can be displaced to a limited extent relative to the top part (3) between a closed position (23) and a venting position (6), characterized in that when fastening the container (2) to the container connection (5), the bottom part (4) can be shifted by the container (2) into the closed position (23), and when detaching the container (2) from the container connection (5), the bottom part (4) can be shifted by the container (2) into the venting position (6) so that an excess pressure in the container (2) in the venting position (6) of the bottom part (4) can be reduced before detaching the container (2) from the container connection (5), wherein a vent duct (7) of the bottom part (4) is closed in the closed position (23) and open in the venting position (6).

2. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein a seal (8) of the top part (3) releases the vent duct (7) when the bottom part (4) is shifted into the venting position (6).

3. The device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the vent duct (7) is connected to a connecting duct (9) of the top part (3) when the bottom part (4) is shifted into the venting position (6).

4. The device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a spring element (10) releases the vent duct (7) when the bottom part (4) is shifted into the venting position (6).

5. The device (1) according to claim 4, wherein the spring element (10) is supported on the top part (3).

6. The device (1) according to claim 5, wherein the spring element (10) is supported on a ramp (11) of the top part (3), which ramp has a slope in a direction of movement of the bottom part (4).

7. The device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the top part (3) and the bottom part (4) are connected to one another by a thread (12).

8. The device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a blocking element (13) of the top part (3) limits a movability of the bottom part (4) relative to the top part (3).

9. A sanitary fitting, having an outlet (18) with an outlet opening (17), wherein a device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims is arranged at the outlet opening (17).

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