Device and method for mixing a liquid with an additive

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for producing a liquid (3) mixed with an additive (2), at least comprising a dispensing device (4) for the liquid (3), a first source (5) for the liquid (3), a second source (6) for the additive (2), and a third source (7) for a propellant (8), wherein the additive (2) can be introduced into the liquid (3) using the propellant (8), and the liquid (3) mixed with the additive (2) can be dispensed via the dispensing device (4). The invention additionally relates to a method for producing a liquid (3) mixed with an additive (2) using a device (1).

Description

[0001] Device and method for adding an additive to a liquid

[0002] The present invention relates to a device and a method for adding an additive to a liquid. In particular, the device also serves to produce a carbonated liquid. The device and method serve, in particular, to provide the additive-added (and carbonated) liquid to a sanitary fitting.

[0003] Devices and methods for producing a carbonated liquid using a carbonator are known, allowing carbon dioxide (CO2) to be added to a liquid, particularly water. The carbonator injects the CO2 into the liquid, particularly under high pressure. For this purpose, the carbonator can be connected to a CO2 container in the form of a CO2 cylinder, in which the CO2 is stored for the carbonator. To impart a desired flavor to the carbonated liquid, the user of the device can subsequently mix the carbonated liquid with, for example, a syrup. However, this involves additional effort.

[0004] It is also known to add an additive to the carbonated liquid, for example, to the CO2 before it is fed into the carbonator. This feed requires, for example, a nozzle and a pressure vessel for the additive so that it can be fed into the CO2.

[0005] 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 example, for producing a carbonated liquid, with which the carbonated liquid can be produced with less effort. In particular, a device is to be provided with which a liquid can be mixed with an additive. Likewise, a method for mixing an additive into a liquid or in addition to producing a carbonated liquid is to be provided, with which the carbonated liquid can be produced with less effort.

[0006] These objects are achieved with a device and a method according to the features of the independent patent claims. 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.

[0007] A device for producing a liquid containing an additive is proposed. The device comprises at least one dispensing device for the liquid, a first source for the liquid, a second source for the additive, and a third source for a propellant. The additive can be introduced into the liquid by the propellant, and the liquid containing the additive can be dispensed via the dispensing device.

[0008] The proposed device can be connected in particular to a sanitary fitting, which can be arranged or is arranged, for example, on a washbasin or sink. The dispensing device is in particular a line with an outlet for the liquid, wherein the outlet is formed, for example, by the sanitary fitting. By means of the dispensing device or the sanitary fitting, the liquid can be drawn off and / or filled into a drinking vessel, such as a bottle, glass, or cup. In addition to the liquid mixed with the additive, at least one other liquid, such as cold water, warm water, mixed water, and / or hot water (for example, with a hot water temperature of 95 °C (Celsius) to 100 °C), can be drawn off using the sanitary fitting. The sanitary fitting can be arranged in particular in a kitchen and / or fastened to a mounting surface, such as a kitchen worktop.

[0009] The device can be arranged, in particular, beneath the mounting surface of the sanitary fitting, for example, in a cabinet, and / or connected to the sanitary fitting via the dispensing device (i.e., the line). The line or the connection to the outlet of the line or dispensing device can be connected to a fluid line, for example, in the manner of a flexible hose. For this purpose, the device or a housing of the device can, for example, have a maximum height of 60 cm, a maximum width of 40 cm, and / or a maximum depth of 60 cm (centimeters).

[0010] In particular, the propellant is CO2 (carbon dioxide).

[0011] In particular, the device additionally comprises a carbonator for adding CO2 to the liquid.

[0012] In particular, the third source provides the CO2 for the carbonator and the CO2 used as a propellant.

[0013] To produce the carbonated liquid, the device has a carbonator, which is arranged in particular in a housing of the device with other components of the device, for example a filter for a liquid, a cooler for the liquid, a heater for the liquid, at least one liquid line for the liquid and / or a (in particular electronic) control of the device. The liquid can in particular be (drinking) water. For this purpose, the device or the carbonator can be connected to a first source for the liquid (which has not yet been mixed with the additive), for example a water pipe connected to a public water supply network. The liquid can be mixed with CO2 by means of the carbonator.This may mean, for example, that CO2 can be added to the liquid by means of the carbonator, in particular under high pressure, so that the CO2 dissolves in the liquid and / or at least partially reacts with the liquid to form carbonic acid.

[0014] Furthermore, an additive can be added to the liquid (if it has not been previously carbonated) or to the carbonated liquid CO2 using the device. This can mean, in particular, that the additive can be added to the liquid along with the CO2. The additive is metered from the second source using the CO2 and added to the liquid. The CO2 is used as a propellant. The CO2 can also be used for carbonation. This further simplifies the device. A nozzle or similar device for metering the additive into the CO2 is not required.

[0015] The additive can be, for example, a fluid, such as a gas and / or a liquid, or a powdered additive. The additive can, for example, impart to the liquid a property that promotes health or well-being for a user. The CO2 is stored in particular in a CO2 container, in particular under pressure in a storage chamber. The CO2 container, the third source, is designed for this purpose in the manner of a CO2 cylinder. Furthermore, the CO2 container in particular has a storage capacity for CO2 of less than 2 kg. The CO2 in a full CO2 container in particular has a pressure of 55 to 60 bar, preferably (approximately) 57 bar, at 20 °C (Celsius).

[0016] The third source is, in particular, connected (only) to the second source via a connecting line that carries (exclusively) the propellant. This connecting line can, in particular, contain a valve for the controlled metering of the propellant into the first source.

[0017] The additive dissolved or entrained by the propellant from the second source can be transported, in particular, via a further connecting line carrying (exclusively) the propellant and the additive to the dispensing device or to the line carrying (exclusively) the liquid or carbonated liquid. The line carrying the liquid and, downstream of the additive and propellant supply, also the additive and propellant, is then connected to the dispensing device.

[0018] The first source of the liquid is connected to the dispensing device, in particular, via the line carrying the liquid. The carbonator can be arranged between the first source and the dispensing device.

[0019] The third source can also be connected to the carbonator. This allows the CO2, which is also used as a propellant, to be used to carbonate the liquid. Specifically, the second source is a container from which the additive can be metered through the propellant.

[0020] The additive container (the second source) can, for example, have a storage capacity for the additive of 0.005 kg (kilograms) to 5 kg and / or 0.005 l (liters) to 5 l.

[0021] In particular, the device comprises a plurality of second sources. The sources are arranged in parallel, so that each second source can be supplied with the propellant separately. In particular, additives from different second sources can be selectively selected and, if necessary, even added jointly (i.e., at least partially simultaneously) to the liquid via the propellant.

[0022] In particular, the additive is a flavoring agent. The flavoring agent can impart a flavor to the liquid. This flavor can be, in particular, a food flavor, fruit flavor, and / or vegetable flavor. For example, it can be a lemon flavor, orange flavor, cola flavor, peppermint flavor, liverwurst flavor, etc.

[0023] In particular, the additive is an odorant. The odorant can impart an odor to the liquid. This odor can be, in particular, a food, fruit, and / or vegetable odor. For example, it can be a lemon, orange, cola, peppermint, liverwurst, etc.

[0024] In particular, the additive is an essential oil or a water-soluble additive. Furthermore, a method for producing a liquid containing an additive using a device is proposed. The device is, in particular, the device described. The device comprises at least a first source for the liquid, a second source for the additive, and a third source for a propellant. The method comprises at least the following step: a) Applying the propellant to the additive and introducing the additive into the liquid.

[0025] In particular, the device comprises a plurality of second sources. The sources are arranged in parallel, so that each second source can be supplied with the propellant separately. In particular, additives from different second sources can be specifically selected within the process and, if necessary, even added jointly (i.e., at least partially simultaneously) to the liquid via the propellant.

[0026] In particular, the device additionally comprises a carbonator for adding CO2 to the liquid, and CO2 is used as a propellant for the additive. The method additionally comprises the following steps: b) carbonating the liquid by adding CO2 to the liquid; c) adding the liquid containing the additive to the carbonated liquid.

[0027] For further details of the method, reference is made in full to the description of the device. In particular, the device comprises a controller, e.g., a data processing system, which has means for executing the steps of the method and / or has means that are suitably equipped, configured, or programmed to execute the steps of the method or that execute the method.

[0028] The means include, for example, a processor and a memory in which instructions to be executed by the processor are stored, as well as data lines or transmission devices that enable the transmission of instructions, measured values, data or the like between the elements mentioned.

[0029] The "means" may in particular comprise one or more of the following components: controller(s), microcontroller, data memory, data connection, display devices (such as a display), counter or timer, at least one further sensor, an energy source, etc.

[0030] A computer program is further proposed, comprising instructions which, when the computer program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the described method or the steps of the described method.

[0031] Furthermore, a computer-readable storage medium is proposed, comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the described method or the steps of the described method.

[0032] The statements regarding the device and the method are particularly applicable to the data processing system and / or the computer-implemented method (i.e., the computer program and the computer-readable storage medium) and vice versa. As a precaution, it should be noted that the numerical terms used here ("first", "second", ...) primarily serve (only) to distinguish between several similar objects, quantities, or processes, and therefore do not necessarily specify any interdependence and / or sequence of these objects, quantities, or processes. Should a dependence and / or sequence be required, this is explicitly stated here or will be obvious to the person skilled in the art upon studying the specifically described embodiment. To the extent that a component can occur multiple times ("at least one"), the description of one of these components can apply equally to all or part of the majority of these components, but this is not mandatory.

[0033] The invention and the technical environment are explained in more detail below with reference to the figure. It should be noted that the figure shows a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, but is not limited thereto.

[0034] Fig. 1 shows an example and schematically a device 1 for producing a liquid 3 mixed with an additive 2.

[0035] The device 1 comprises a dispensing device 4 for the liquid 3, a first source 5 for the liquid 3, a second source 6 for the additive 2 and a third source 7 for a propellant 8, wherein the additive 2 can be introduced into the liquid 3 by the propellant 8 and the liquid 3 mixed with the additive 2 can be dispensed via the dispensing device 4.

[0036] The device 1 is connected to a sanitary fitting, which here forms the dispensing device 4. However, the device 1 can be arranged on a washbasin or sink, with the dispensing device 4 of the device 1 being connected to the sanitary fitting via a pipe. The sanitary fitting allows the liquid 3 to be drawn and / or poured into a drinking vessel, such as a bottle, glass, or cup.

[0037] The device 1 can be arranged (completely) below the mounting surface of the sanitary fitting, for example in a cabinet, and / or can be connected to the sanitary fitting via the dispensing device 4 (i.e. the line).

[0038] The device 1 additionally has a carbonator 9 for adding the propellant 8 (i.e., CO2) to the liquid 3. The third source 7 provides the CO2 for the carbonator 9 and the CO2 used as propellant 8.

[0039] An additive 2 can be added to the liquid 3 (if it has not been previously carbonated) or to the liquid 3 carbonated with CO2 by the device 1. This means that the additive 2 can be added to the liquid 3 with the CO2 as a propellant 8. The additive 2 is metered out of the second source 6 by the CO2 and added to the liquid 3. The CO2 can also be used for carbonation.

[0040] The third source 7 is connected to the second source 6 via a connecting line carrying the propellant 8. A valve 10 for controlled metering of the propellant 8 into the first source 5 is arranged in this connecting line.

[0041] The additive 2 dissolved or entrained by the propellant 8 from the second source 6 is transported via another connecting line carrying exclusively the propellant 8 and the additive 2 to the dispensing device 4 or to the line carrying (exclusively) the liquid 3 or the carbonated liquid 3. The line carrying the liquid 3 and, downstream of the supply of additive 2 and propellant 8, also the additive 2 and the propellant 8, is connected to the dispensing device 4.

[0042] The first source 5 for the liquid 3 is connected to the dispensing device 4 via the line carrying the liquid 3. The carbonator 9 is arranged between the first source 5 and the dispensing device 4.

[0043] The third source 7 is also connected to the carbonator 9. This allows the CO2, also used as propellant 8, to be used to carbonate the liquid 3.

[0044] The second source 6 is a container from which the additive 2 can be removed in doses by the propellant 8.

[0045] The device 1 can have a plurality of second sources 6 (only indicated here). The second sources 6 are arranged in parallel, so that each second source 6 can be supplied separately with the propellant 8. Thus, additives 2 can be specifically selected from different second sources 6 and, if necessary, even dosed jointly (i.e., at least partially simultaneously) to the liquid 3 by the propellant 8.

[0046] List of reference symbols

[0047] 1 device

[0048] 2 Additive 3 Liquid

[0049] 4 Dispensing device

[0050] 5 first source

[0051] 6 second source

[0052] 7 third source 8 propellant

[0053] 9 Carbonators

[0054] 10 Valve

Claims

Patent claims 1. Device (1) for producing a liquid (3) containing an additive (2), comprising at least a dispensing device (4) for the liquid (3), a first source (5) for the liquid (3), a second source (6) for the additive (2) and a third source (7) for a blowing agent (8), wherein the additive (2) can be introduced into the liquid (3) by means of the blowing agent (8) and the liquid (3) containing the additive (2) can be dispensed via the dispensing device (4).

2. Device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the propellant (8) is CO2.

3. Device (1) according to claim 2, additionally comprising a carbonizer (9) for adding CO2 to the liquid (3).

4. Device (1) according to claim 3, wherein the third source (7) provides the CO2 for the carbonizer (9) and the CO2 used as propellant (8).

5. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second source (6) is a container from which the additive (2) can be metered by means of the propellant (8), wherein the device (1) has a plurality of second sources (6).

6. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the additive (2) is a flavoring agent.

7. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the additive (2) is an odorant. Device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the additive (2) is an essential oil. Method for producing a liquid (3) containing an additive (2) using a device (1) comprising at least a first source (5) for the liquid (3), a second source (6) for the additive (2), and a third source (7) for a propellant (8); wherein the method comprises at least the following step: a) applying the propellant (8) to the additive (2) and introducing the additive (2) into the liquid (3). Method according to claim 9, wherein the device (1) further comprises a carbonator (9) for adding CO2 to the liquid (3), and CO2 is used as the propellant (8) for the additive (2); wherein the method further comprises the following steps: b) carbonating the liquid (3) by adding CO2 to the liquid (3). CO2; c) Adding the additive (3) charged with the propellant (8) to the carbonized liquid (3).

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