Guide device for connecting a fluid cartridge

Abstract

The invention relates to a guide device for connecting a fluid cartridge, in particular a CO2 compressed gas cylinder, especially for sanitary applications, comprising an upper area for fixing the guide device to a connection of a fluid line and a lower area for inserting the fluid cartridge into the guide device in an insertion direction, which at least partially surrounds the fluid cartridge, wherein at least one radially inwardly extending guide element is arranged in at least one of the two areas, in particular at least in the lower area.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a guide device for connecting a fluid cartridge, in particular a CO2 compressed gas cylinder, in particular for sanitary applications, comprising an upper region for fixing the guide device to a connection of a fluid line and a lower region for inserting the fluid cartridge into the guide device in an insertion direction, which lower region at least partially surrounds the fluid cartridge.

[0002] Although the present invention is generally applicable to any fluid cartridge, the present invention is explained with reference to CO2 compressed gas cylinders for beverage systems in the kitchen area.

[0003] CO2 cartridges are used, for example, in kitchens to carbonate water to create a sparkling water. For this purpose, they are connected to a corresponding line for a carbonation system in a base cabinet. They can then be dispensed by a user via a suitable plumbing fixture.

[0004] The CO2 cartridge typically contains liquid CO2, so it must be positioned vertically. To do this, the cartridge is screwed from below into a receptacle located higher up, hanging freely and out of sight. A funnel-shaped insertion aid assists the user in inserting the cartridge. Document WO 2019183456 A1 discloses a guide device for connecting a fluid cartridge.

[0005] The problem is that the CO2 cartridge has a so-called rupture disc located on the side of the CO2 cartridge, which requires a larger diameter of the funnel-shaped insertion aid than necessary. This makes inserting and securing the CO2 cartridge considerably more difficult.

[0006] An object of the present invention is therefore to provide a guide device for connecting a fluid cartridge, which claims an improved user experience when inserting and securing the CO2 cartridge and at the same time enables a more reliable and faster insertion and securing of the same. A further object of the present invention is to provide an alternative guide device for connecting a fluid cartridge.

[0007] The present invention achieves the above-mentioned objects in a guide device for connecting a fluid cartridge, in particular a CO 2 compressed gas cylinder, in particular for sanitary applications, comprising an upper region for fixing the guide device to a connection of a fluid line and a lower region for inserting the fluid cartridge into the guide device in an insertion direction, which lower region at least partially surrounds the fluid cartridge, in that at least one radially inwardly extending guide element is arranged in at least one of the two regions, in particular at least in the lower region.

[0008] One of the advantages achieved is that the overall user experience is improved, as the fluid cartridge can be connected to the respective line more easily and quickly using the guide device, even without visual contact with the respective connection area.

[0009] The term "fluid" is to be understood in the broadest sense and refers, in particular in the claims, preferably in the description, to a liquid, a liquid mixture, a gas, a gas mixture or combinations thereof.

[0010] The term "cartridge" is to be understood in the broadest sense and refers, in particular in the claims, preferably in the description, to any type of container for holding one or more fluids, which is arranged in particular in an exchangeable manner.

[0011] The term "sanitary" is to be understood in the broadest sense and refers, particularly in the claims, preferably in the description, generally to the kitchen area, the bathroom or laundry room area and the heating area.

[0012] Further features, advantages and further embodiments of the invention are described below or will become apparent thereby.

[0013] According to an advantageous development of the invention, the lower portion is funnel-shaped. This allows the cartridge to be inserted into the funnel not vertically, but also at a slight angle relative to the funnel axis, which overall improves the insertability of the fluid cartridge.

[0014] According to a further advantageous development of the invention, a plurality of radially inwardly extending guide elements, in particular four guide elements, are arranged. This allows for reliable guidance of the fluid cartridge.

[0015] According to a further advantageous development of the invention, the guide elements are arranged symmetrically to one another in the lower region. This provides the advantage of uniform guidance of the fluid cartridge during insertion into the guide device.

[0016] According to a further advantageous development of the invention, at least one recess is arranged in the lower region. The at least one recess facilitates the manufacture of the guide device, since the recess can be used to avoid, for example, undercuts.

[0017] According to a further advantageous development of the invention, the at least one recess extends from the at least one guide element toward the upper region, in particular, the recess being L-shaped. One advantage of this is that the manufacturability of the guide device, in particular of the guide elements, is further improved. A further advantage is that a uniform material thickness of the guide device can be achieved.

[0018] According to a further advantageous development of the invention, the number of recesses and the number of guide elements are equal. This ensures that no undercuts are necessary for the guide elements. Overall, this improves manufacturability.

[0019] According to a further advantageous development of the invention, the at least one guide element is essentially L-shaped in cross-section. The advantage of this is that, on the one hand, it can be easily manufactured with a radially inwardly projecting region and, on the other hand, it has a region that is essentially oriented in the insertion direction, so that guidance along the insertion direction can be provided.

[0020] According to a further advantageous development of the invention, the at least one guide element has a bevel that extends radially inward and counter to the insertion direction. One of the advantages achieved is that when the fluid cartridge is disassembled, if it has radial projections, these can slide off the bevel if a user removes the fluid cartridge from the guide device counter to the insertion direction.

[0021] According to a further advantageous development of the invention, the lower region has at least a partial cylindrical shape. This allows for space savings in the cylindrical region.

[0022] Further important features and advantages of the invention emerge from the subclaims, from the drawings and from the associated description of the figures with reference to the drawings.

[0023] Preferred embodiments and embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description, wherein like reference numerals refer to like or similar or functionally identical components or elements.

[0024] It shows in schematic form Figure 1 shows a guide device according to an embodiment of the present invention in cross section; Figure 2 shows the guide device according to Figure 1 of the present invention in cross section; and Figure 3 the guide device according to Figure 1 and 2 of the present invention in an overview.

[0025] Figure 1 shows a guide device according to an embodiment of the present invention in cross section, Figure 2 the guide device according to Figure 1 of the present invention in cross section and Figure 3 the guide device according to Figure 1 and2 of the present invention in an overview.

[0026] In the Figures 1 and 2 different cross-sectional views of a guide device 1 are shown and in Figure 3 An overview of the guide device 1 is shown. The guide device 1 is hollow-cylindrical in its upper region 2 and has a fastening device 20 in its upper region 2, which can be clipped onto an outer circumference of a cylindrical connection device for a CO 2 liquid gas cylinder by means of L-shaped hooks 21, which are distributed around the circumference. The fastening device 20 also has an internal thread of smaller diameter, which extends through the upper region 2 of the fastening device 20 in Figure 1extends downwards into a lower region 3 of the guide device 1. The lower region 3 essentially has three sub-regions 31, 32, 33 from top to bottom. The first sub-region 31 is cylindrical and has a diameter that is larger than the diameter of the upper region 2. The second sub-region 32 has an S-shape in cross-section with a continuously increasing diameter. The third sub-region 33 adjoins the second sub-region 32 and has a hollow cylindrical shape 10 with a constant diameter. In this respect, the two sub-regions 31, 32 essentially form the shape of a bell or a funnel 6.

[0027] In the first sub-region 31, radially inwardly projecting guide elements 5 are arranged. These are arranged essentially in the insertion direction 4 and are rounded at the sides. In other words, they are essentially L-shaped in cross-section, with the longer leg being inclined radially inward and in the direction of the insertion direction 4. Each guide element 5 thus essentially has a quarter sphere that is open radially outward - radial direction 9 - as well as on the side of the guide element 5 adjacent to the upper region 2. The upper side of the respective guide element 5 has a bevel 8 opposite the insertion direction 4 and radially inward, so that a radial projection of a fluid cartridge does not rest on the guide elements 5 when the same is removed, i.e. when the fluid cartridge is guided opposite the insertion direction 4, but can slide along the bevel 8.

[0028] In the axial direction, starting from the guide elements 5, recesses 7 extend in the same width towards the upper region 2. These are not only arranged in the first sub-region 31 of the second region 3, but also extend horizontally to the lower edge of the upper region 2.

[0029] Overall, the guide device 1 can be made entirely or at least partially of reinforced plastic and / or metal. Preferably, the guide elements 5 are distributed symmetrically along the inner circumference of the lower region 3 at the same height along the axis of symmetry of the guide device 1.

[0030] In summary, at least one of the embodiments of the invention has at least one of the following advantages and / or provides at least one of the following features: High user satisfaction. Easy and quick installation of fluid cartridges. High reliability in inserting and installing fluid cartridges.

[0031] Although the present invention has been described using preferred embodiments, it is not limited thereto but can be modified in many ways. List of reference symbols

[0032] 1Guiding device 2Upper section 3Lower section 4Insertion direction 5Guide element 6Funnel-shaped lower section 7Recess 8Bevel 9Radial direction 10Cylindrical lower section 20Fixing device 21Hook 31Lower section 32Lower section 33Lower section

Claims

1. Guiding apparatus (1) for connecting a fluid cartridge, in particular a CO2 pressurised gas bottle, in particular for sanitary applications, comprising an upper region (2) for securing the guiding device to a connection of a fluid line, and a lower region (3) for introducing the fluid cartridge into the guiding apparatus (1) in an introduction direction (4) which at least partially surrounds the fluid cartridge, characterised in that in at least one of the two regions (2, 3), in particular at least in the lower region (3), at least one radially inwardly extending guiding element (5) is arranged.

2. Guiding apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the lower region (3) is in the form of a funnel (6).

3. Guiding apparatus (1) according to either of claims 1 to 2, characterised in that a plurality of radially inwardly extending guiding elements (5), in particular four guiding elements (5), are arranged.

4. Guiding apparatus (1) according to claim 3, characterised in that the guiding elements (5) are arranged symmetrically with respect to each other in the lower region (3).

5. Guiding apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that at least one recess (7) is arranged in the lower region (3).

6. Guiding apparatus (1) according to claim 5, characterised in that the at least one recess (6) extends from the at least one guiding element (5) in the direction of the upper region (2), in particular wherein the recess (7) is constructed in an L-shaped manner.

7. Guiding apparatus (1) according to claim 5 or 6, characterised in that the number of recesses (7) and the number of guiding elements (5) are identical.

8. Guiding apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the at least one guiding element (5) is constructed to be substantially L-shaped in cross-section.

9. Guiding apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the at least one guiding element (5) has a chamfer (8) which extends inwards in the radial direction (9) and counter to the introduction direction (4).

10. Guiding apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the lower region (3) at least partially has a cylindrical form (10).

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