Water carbonator having a water filter

Abstract

The invention relates to a water carbonator with an integrated water filter and / or mineralization stage, which can enable a rapid preparation of high-quality carobonated water despite different water qualities of the water to be treated, the water being forced through the filter and / or the mineralization stage by the CO2 gas pressure of the gas cylinder.

Description

[0001] Sparkling water device with water filter

[0002] The invention relates to a sparkling water device according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0003] State-of-the-art sparkling water devices, such as water carbonators, carbonation devices or soda water devices, for enriching tap water with carbon dioxide or CO2 have been in use for many years as an alternative to mineral water or carbonated table water in bottled containers, so-called bottled water.

[0004] By using sparkling water dispensers, carbonated water can be produced directly at the point of consumption, eliminating the need to transport disposable or reusable containers of carbonated mineral or table water in plastic or glass bottles. By eliminating bottled water, the CO2 footprint from transport and production of the containers can be reduced, and energy and materials used in production can be saved.

[0005] As an alternative to the use of bottled water in disposable plastic bottles, sparkling water devices will also counteract the problem of plastic waste, the keyword "plastic-polluted oceans", and the accumulation of plastic in the food chain (so-called microplastic accumulation).

[0006] In particular, water carbonators from SodaStream (Israel) (sparkling water devices with the trade names "SodaClub" and "SodaStream") have been used in private households for many years to easily produce sparkling water from tap water. These soda devices are notable for their simple design, as they require no electricity. The devices are extremely compact, require only a small footprint, and can be operated independently of the drinking water mains. By manually opening a valve, a quantity of water pre-filled with CO2 is carbonated into a bottle-shaped, pressure-resistant container from a pressure cylinder. After uncoupling the bottle-shaped container from the sparkling water device, this can be used directly as a transport container for the sparkling water.

[0007] The disadvantage of these devices compared to most professional soda water devices, dispensing systems and household sparkling water makers with an electrical connection is the lack of a cooling unit to lower the water temperature, the lack of a feed pump and the fact that the water quantity is predetermined by the discontinuous displacement of a fixed amount of water.

[0008] Another disadvantage of these simple water carbonators is the dependence on the tap water quality available at the place of use, which may be only suitable to a limited extent or not at all depending on the origin of the water (surface water, groundwater, seawater, brackish water, etc.), the treatment technology (seawater desalination, UV disinfection, chlorination, etc.) and the general suitability as drinking water or the mineral and taste suitability for use as sparkling water.

[0009] Thus, depending on the region, the use of this simple

[0010] Sparkling water devices are limited due to the different qualities of tap water available or upstream treatment of the tap water is necessary.

[0011] For this purpose, a sparkling water device is known from US 2023 / 0285912 A1, which enables such upstream treatment. The device has its own water reservoir. When needed, an electrically operated pump is switched on, which pumps the water from the reservoir into a water bottle. On its way to the water bottle, the water is pumped through a filter by the electric pump. A controller is provided to control the water flow.

[0012] In addition, piped water filter systems have been established in front of the tap or at the water tap, as have so-called water filter jugs, e.g. from the company Brita in Taunusstein (DE), with which a predetermined amount of water can be filtered gravimetrically via a two-chamber system (upper chamber for impure water, lower chamber for pure water).

[0013] However, these water filter systems require additional investment in installation, require additional installation or storage space in the kitchen, and reduce the ease and speed of preparing sparkling water with the sparkling water device, as - especially when using a water filter jug ​​- you have to wait for the required amount of water to be filtered.

[0014] The invention therefore has the task of providing a simplified

[0015] To propose a sparkling water device which can enable the rapid preparation of high-quality sparkling water with defined properties despite different water qualities of the water to be treated.

[0016] The object is achieved, starting from a sparkling water device of the type mentioned at the outset, by the characterizing features of claim 1, for a filter of claim 17, for a mineralization stage of claim 22 and for a manufacturing method of claim 23.

[0017] Advantageous embodiments and developments of the invention are possible by the measures mentioned in the dependent claims.

[0018] The invention proposes the integration of a water treatment stage into a sparkling water device in order to ensure water conditioning by filtration or by adjusting the mineral content in order to prepare sparkling water of consumer-friendly quality.

[0019] The invention also enables a combination of a water filter system and a simple sparkling water device without a feed pump, without electrical connection and without hydraulic and / or pneumatic connection to a mains water network, and therefore also avoids the disadvantages of a separate water filter and sparkling water device.

[0020] Accordingly, the invention is characterized in that the flow through the water treatment stage in the sparkling water device can be realized by using the applied pressure from a pressure cylinder filled with CO2 gas used in the sparkling water device.

[0021] By using the CO2 gas pressure, the water can be forced through a filter and / or through a mineralization stage to enrich the water with minerals and treated, which enables rapid water treatment without the need for the additional integration of an electrically driven feed pump, without connecting the device to a mains water network and without the previously described disadvantages of alternative combinations with externally operated water treatment systems.

[0022] In a special embodiment, the filtration or mineralization of the water can take place at the end of the CO2 carbonation of the water, in another embodiment also before the CO2 carbonation of the water, but filtration or mineralization between the beginning and the end of the CO2 gas carbonation of the water would also be conceivable in order to obtain optimal sparkling water quality.

[0023] In a further embodiment, the water can be driven through a filter via a hydraulic and / or pneumatic pump driven by CC>2 gas.

[0024] In a special embodiment, the water could be driven by CO2 gas through the water filter and / or through the mineralization stage, thereby charging a special gas pressure reservoir with CO2 gas, which releases its pressure during the carbonation process of the water. In a special embodiment, the filter also serves as a CO2 gas distributor (gas distribution frit), through which the gas is introduced into the water in the form of small bubbles via a porous filter body. When the sparkling water is drawn off, the sparkling water flows through the filter in the opposite direction by reversing the pressure conditions.

[0025] In a further embodiment, the filter and / or the mineralization stage is integrated into a carbonator (pressure vessel in which the CO2 gas enrichment of the water takes place) integrated into the sparkling water device, from which the filtered sparkling water can be drawn off from the device in different portions.

[0026] The filter used in the sparkling water device serves to reduce the chlorine from the tap water and / or the reduction of heavy metals and / or organic contaminants, such as chlorination by-products, pesticides, medical residues, hormones, particles and / or the reduction of water hardness and / or microorganisms and / or fine plastics.

[0027] In a particular embodiment, the filter consists of a compressed filter granulate and / or a sinter-like solidified or solidified and shaped granulate of ion exchange resin and / or activated carbon granulate (also referred to as carbon filter block in the professional jargon of the filter industry) or other combined filter materials or mineralization materials or mineralization granulates.

[0028] In a further embodiment, the filter has a stable three-dimensional structure with a fine pore structure, for example in the form of a filter block, through which the CO2 gas can be introduced into the water, in particular for better absorption of the CO2 gas in the water can be introduced in fine bubbles and when the flow is reversed, the water enriched with CO2 gas flows through the filter in the opposite direction to that in which the CO2 was introduced. _Gases can be filtered.

[0029] In a further embodiment, a mineralization stage specifically designed for remineralization, for example in the form of a mineralization cartridge or mineralization cartridge, can be integrated into the sparkling water device in order to enrich water with a low mineral content to a desired mineral content, for example when the tap water comes from seawater desalination, or when the water used has previously been desalinated by a reverse osmosis system.

[0030] Examples of implementation:

[0031] Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and are explained in more detail below, giving further details and advantages. In detail:

[0032] Fig . 1 : a schematic representation of a

[0033] Sparkling water device with carbonator and downstream filtration and / or mineralization and water storage tank from which the sparkling water can be taken in portions

[0034] Fig . 2 : a schematic representation of a

[0035] Sparkling water device, similar to that shown in Fig. 1, but with direct extraction from the carbonator via the filter and / or the mineralization stage

[0036] Fig . 3 : a schematic representation of a

[0037] Sparkling water device with pre- and final carbonation, with filtration and / or mineralization in between

[0038] Fig . 4 : a schematic representation of a

[0039] Sparkling water device with carbonator, where filtration and / or mineralization and gas-driven water feed are connected upstream of the carbonation and a portioned withdrawal from the carbonator takes place. Fig. 5: a schematic representation of a

[0040] Sparkling water device similar to Fig. 4 , but with filtration and / or mineralization stage in the storage tank

[0041] Fig . 6 : a schematic representation of a

[0042] Sparkling water device with pre- and final carbonation and gas-driven pump, which is driven by CO2 gas from the gas cylinder and presses pre-carbonated water through the filtration and / or mineralization stage into the final carbonator, from which a portioned withdrawal takes place

[0043] Fig . 7 : a schematic representation of a

[0044] Sparkling water device with water filter and / or mineralization stage in the carbonator, which serve as a CO2 gas distribution frit or filter frit in the carbonation process and are further designed so that when sparkling water is drawn off and the pressure conditions are reversed, the sparkling water is filtered via the filter and / or the mineralization stage.

[0045] Fig . 8 : a schematic representation of a

[0046] Sparkling water device with gas-driven pump and pressure reservoir, which is charged with CO2 gas during water filtration and / or mineralization and releases its pressure again during the carbonation process of the water.

[0047] Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a sparkling water device 10 in which a CO2 gas cartridge 11 can introduce CO2 gas into a water reservoir 12 via a line LG. The line LG can be opened, partially opened or closed via a tap VH for generally shutting off the gas cartridge 11 and via a control valve VR for setting and regulating the pressure of the gas. Water for producing the sparkling water is stored in the water reservoir 12. By introducing CO2 gas into the water-filled reservoir 12, the water can be carbonated, i.e. the reservoir 12 simultaneously serves as a carbonator. Due to the pressure which is created during carbonation by introducing gas into the reservoir or the carbonator 12, the carbonated water is forced into the line LW and passes through a filter 13.It is also conceivable that, instead of a filter 13 or in addition to the filter 13, a mineralization stage for mineralizing the water is connected to the line LW. The flow through the line LW can also be regulated here via a valve V. In this embodiment, the carbonated sparkling water is fed into a pressure vessel 14 and stored there. If necessary, the water can be poured from the pressure vessel 14 into a water glass 15, e.g., via a closable opening, through a faucet, or the like.

[0048] A very similar embodiment to the embodiment in Figure 1 is shown in Figure 2, namely a sparkling water device 20 in which CO2 is also pumped from a gas cartridge 21 via a gas line LG into a reservoir 22, which also serves as a carbonator. The pressure causes the carbonated water to reach a filter or mineralization stage 23. From there, the sparkling water can be piped via line LW directly into an open container 24, e.g., a carafe or a drinking glass.

[0049] Advantageously, the water reservoirs 12 and 22 have a triple functionality:

[0050] - as a basic function the storage of water,

[0051] - the function as a carbonator to produce sparkling water,

[0052] - the function of water transport, because the introduction of CC>2 gas creates a pressure and pushes the water through the water pipe LW and thus also through downstream filters 13, 23.

[0053] With the embodiment according to Figure 3, it is again possible to work with lower pressures because the pressure is distributed across at least two lines, which fulfill different functions. This sparkling water device 30 also initially features a gas cartridge 31 and a water reservoir 32. However, the water reservoir 32 serves here for pre-carbonation and for further transport of the water under pressure during carbonation. In this context, the term "pre-carbonation" is used because a vessel 34 is provided at the end for final carbonation. The path of the water up to this point, however, is basically analogous to the devices 10, 20 according to Figures 1, 2. That is, the water is pressed from the pre-carbonator 32 through the line LW via the valve V through the filter 33 (and / or a mineralization stage) into the pressure vessel 34.A further difference to the embodiments according to Figures 1 and 2 is that the original gas line LG, which is directly connected to the gas cartridge 31 and can be shut off using the tap VH, is split into two gas lines LG1 and LG2: Line LG1 leads into the water reservoir 32, and the gas flow can be regulated by a control valve VR. This gas flow through line LG1 is used, on the one hand, for pre-carbonation in the reservoir 32 and, on the other hand, for further transport of the water through line LW. Line LG2, which branches off from line LG together with line LG1 and is connected in parallel to line LG1, leads the gas directly to the pressure vessel 34, where it can be used for final carbonation. The flow through line LG2 can also be regulated by its own control valve VR.

[0054] The sparkling water can be drawn from the pressure vessel 34 via a tap or a closable opening for pouring, here into a water glass 35 .

[0055] The sparkling water device 40 according to Figure 4 is again similar to the sparkling water device 30 in Figure 3, however the water reservoir 42 only serves to store water and transport it further using gas pressure. The line LG, which carries the gas from the gas cartridge 41, branches off into two lines LG1 and LG2. The line LG2 also opens, as in Figure 3, into the pressure vessel 44, in which carbonation takes place. The line LG1 also opens into the reservoir 42, but is usually arranged on the lid and not in the water, so that it does not initiate a (pre-)carbonation process, but merely exerts pressure on the water, causing it to be forced into the line LW. The water flows through the line LW through the filter 43 (or the mineralization stage) into the pressure vessel 44, where carbonation finally takes place by introducing CO2 gas. The sparkling water can be taken out using a drinking glass, for example.

[0056] Figure 5 shows a particularly compact embodiment of the sparkling water device 50 with a gas cartridge 51. The line LG from the gas cartridge branches off into two lines LG1 and LG2, with the line LG2 also ending in a pressure vessel 54 serving as a carbonator, while the line LG1 ends in a reservoir 52 for storing water. However, the reservoir 52 does not function as a carbonator. The line LG1 opens into the reservoir 52 in such a way that the introduced gas only exerts pressure on the stored water, ultimately forcing it into the water line LW.

[0057] In contrast to the aforementioned embodiments, however, a filter 53 is arranged in the reservoir 52 here. Instead of a filter, a mineralization stage for mineralizing the water or a device comprising the filter and the mineralization stage can also be used. The filter and / or mineralization stage is / are arranged here in the reservoir tank 52 and is / are located in the water. The filter and the mineralization stage is / are designed such that it / they has / have an inlet and an outlet that opens directly into the line LW.

[0058] If the water is pressurized by introducing CO2 gas, the incompressible water can yield to the pressure by flowing into the filter or the

[0059] Mineralization stage, passes through it, and enters line LW via the outlet. From there, the water flows into the pressure vessel 54 for carbonation, into which line LG2 also flows, but in such a way that the end of line LG2 for carbonation is in the water.

[0060] Furthermore, control valves VR can be installed in lines LG1 and LG2, if necessary, to regulate the gas flow. A valve V can also be installed in the water line LW. The CO2 cartridge can be shut off, for example, with a valve VH.

[0061] Finally, carbonated sparkling water can be poured directly from the vessel 54 into a drinking glass 55.

[0062] Figure 5 thus represents an embodiment which, for example, shows a water tank as reservoir 52, which can be equipped with a filter cartridge or a filter candle. The filter cartridge or candle is arranged in the tank and is permanently immersed in water. It has an inlet and an outlet and can be flowed through. The arrangement of the filter or the mineralization stage would therefore be similar to that in a fully automatic coffee machine, although in fully automatic coffee machines the water is usually sucked out of the tank by an electric pump, which is not necessary here.

[0063] In Figure 6, a pump 66 is used for the first time. However, it is not an electrically operated pump, but a gas-driven pump. Line LG from gas cartridge 61 again splits into two parallel lines LG1 and LG2, with line LG2 leading into a pressure vessel 64 for carbonation, or rather, for final carbonation. Line LG1 now leads to pump 66 and drives it with gas.

[0064] The gas that drives pump 66 can still be used: It flows out via line LG3 and is fed into reservoir 62 to carry out pre-carbonation there and, at the same time, to force the water, which is incompressible and cannot escape, through line LW due to the increase in pressure. Above all, however, the water is sucked from reservoir 52 into line LW by pump 66. The simultaneous effect of the suction of the pump and the pressure from the CO2 gas introduced into reservoir 62 results in a particularly effective and / or complete transport of the water volume from reservoir 62.

[0065] The pump 66 pumps the water further through the filter 63 and / or the mineralization stage into the vessel 64, into which the line LG2 flows for final carbonation.

[0066] It is possible to draw off the sparkling water into a drinking glass 65 via another tap VH.

[0067] A particularly preferred development of the invention is shown in Figure 7, which above all represents a very compact design and shows a simple pipe layout that also requires few valves. The line LG (which can be shut off using a tap) leads directly into the water reservoir 72, which also serves as a carbonator. The gas line is connected directly to a so-called gas distribution frit or filter frit 73, which is made from a porous filter material and enables a fine distribution of the gas in the water. After carbonation is complete, the sparkling water can be drawn directly from the water reservoir 72. The CO2 pressure in the water reservoir 72 forces the sparkling water in the opposite direction through the filter 73 and reaches the line LW, where it can be portioned into a drinking glass 75 or other containers, such as a storage carafe or sealable water bottle, via a tap VH.A mineralization function for sparkling water can also be integrated into the filter or a mineralization stage can be used instead of the filter.

[0068] In this embodiment, the filter and / or mineralization stage 73 has / have a dual function. First, they serve as a gas distribution frit during the carbonation of the water in the water reservoir 72, and after carbonation is complete and the sparkling water is drawn off, they serve as a filter or mineralization stage for the sparkling water.

[0069] The frit 73 can comprise a granular material as a filter or mineralization stage that forms or has a pore structure and can be used to filter the sparkling water. The gas connection or line LG and the water line LW can be connected directly to the gas distribution frit or filter frit 73.

[0070] Figure 8, in turn, shows a similar embodiment to Figure 6, except that the reservoir 82 is not used for pre-carbonation. The line LG leading from the gas cartridge 81 splits into the two lines LG1 and LG2, with the line LG1 being directly connected to a pump 86 and driving the pump 86, so that water is sucked in from the reservoir 82 via the line LW by the pump 86. The pump 86 pumps the water further through a filter 83 and / or a mineralization stage into a vessel 84, which serves as a carbonator.

[0071] A line LG3 leads from the pump 86, through which the gas for driving the pump 86 can be transferred to a pressure accumulator 87 and stored. The CO2 gas stored in the pressure accumulator 87 can pressurize the vessel 84 via the line LG3 and be used for pre-carbonization. The final carbonation in the vessel 84 also takes place via the gas line LG2 (with a lockable valve VH), through which the vessel 84 or the carbonator can be directly pressurized with CO2 gas.

[0072] The carbonator 84 can be emptied via a tap VH ( e . g . into a drinking glass 85 ) .

[0073] The pressure accumulator 87 is a gas accumulator for the temporary storage or stockpiling of gas. It is conceivable that the pressure accumulator 87 is designed as a diaphragm vessel that expands via an elastic diaphragm when filled with gas and contracts again when emptied (e.g., by opening a valve in its outlet) by contracting the diaphragm.

[0074] Overall, the valves in Figures 1-8 are shown only as examples. Other valves can be used if necessary. It is also conceivable that individual valves are not necessary and can be omitted. All embodiments and developments of the invention have in common that carbonated sparkling water can be produced without any great time delay, which is filtered and / or mineralized and of high quality with defined properties. However, the sparkling water device according to the invention is simplified and environmentally friendly because the pumping process for transporting the water is accomplished by the gas pressure that is used for carbonation anyway.

[0075] List of reference symbols:

[0076] 10 sparkling water device

[0077] 11 CO2 -G spat rone

[0078] 12 Water reservoir and carbonator

[0079] 13 Filter / Mineralization Level

[0080] 14 Pressure vessel

[0081] 15 drinking glasses

[0082] 20 sparkling water device

[0083] 21 CO2 gas cartridge

[0084] 22 Water reservoir and carbonator

[0085] 23 Filter / Mineralization Level

[0086] 24 open vessel, also drinking glass or carafe

[0087] 30 sparkling water device

[0088] 31 CO2 gas cartridges

[0089] 32 Water reservoir and carbonator

[0090] 33 filters / mineralization levels

[0091] 34 Pressure vessel

[0092] 35 drinking glass

[0093] 40 sparkling water device

[0094] 41 CO2 gas cartridge

[0095] 42 water reservoir

[0096] 43 Filter / Mineralization Level

[0097] 44 Pressure vessel and carbonator

[0098] 45 drinking glass

[0099] 50 sparkling water device

[0100] 51 CO2 gas cartridge

[0101] 52 water reservoir

[0102] 53 Filter / Mineralization Level

[0103] 54 Pressure vessel and carbonator

[0104] 55 drinking glass

[0105] 60 Sparkling water device 61 CÜ2 gas cartridge

[0106] 62 Water reservoir and carbonator

[0107] 63 Filter / Mineralization Level

[0108] 64 Pressure vessel and carbonator

[0109] 65 drinking glass

[0110] 66 Gas-driven pump

[0111] 70 sparkling water device

[0112] 71 CO2 gas cartridge

[0113] 72 Water reservoir and carbonator

[0114] 73 Gas distribution frit or filter frit

[0115] 75 drinking glass

[0116] 80 sparkling water device

[0117] 81 CO2 gas cartridge

[0118] 82 water reservoir

[0119] 83 Filter / Mineralization Level

[0120] 84 Pressure vessel and carbonator

[0121] 85 drinking glass

[0122] 86 Gas-driven pump

[0123] 87 CO2 pressure accumulators

[0124] LG gas line

[0125] LG1 gas line

[0126] LG2 gas line

[0127] LG3 gas line

[0128] LW water pipe

[0129] V valve

[0130] VH Hahn

[0131] VR control valve

Claims

Claims:

1. Sparkling water device with integrated water filter and / or mineralization stage, characterized in that the sparkling water device is designed so that the water to be treated is pressed through the filter and / or the mineralization stage by the CO2 gas pressure of the gas cylinder.

2. Sparkling water device according to claim 1, characterized in that the sparkling water device is designed so that the water is pressed through the filter and / or the mineralization stage before the CO2 enrichment or carbonation. 3 . Sparkling water device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sparkling water device is designed so that the water is pressed through the filter and / or mineralization stage after CO2 enrichment or carbonation. 4 . Sparkling water device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filter and / or the mineralization stage is / are designed for filtration and / or mineralization of the water between the beginning and end of the CC>2 gas enrichment or carbonation of the water. 5 . Sparkling water device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a hydraulic and / or pneumatic pump is provided which can be driven by the CO2 pressure in order to pump the water via the hydraulic and / or pneumatic pump to push through the filter. 6 . Sparkling water device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filter and / or the mineralization stage is designed as a CO2 gas distributor or frit in order to introduce the CO2 gas into the water through this / these. 7 . Sparkling water device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filter and / or mineralization stage is designed as a CO2 gas distributor or frit and is further designed so that when the pressure conditions are reversed, the sparkling water is filtered via the filter and / or the mineralization stage. 8 . Sparkling water device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filter is integrated into a carbonator integrated into the sparkling water device, from which the filtered water enriched with CO2 gas can be drawn off from the device in different portions. 9 . Sparkling water device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a water reservoir is provided for temporarily storing drinking water. 10 . Sparkling water device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a gas line for supplying gas and a water line for conveying water are attached to the water reservoir in order to convey the water by means of the gas through the water pipe to press . 11 . Sparkling water device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a gas line is connected to the water reservoir in such a way that the gas can be introduced into the temporarily stored water, wherein a water line is provided for conveying the water and the water reservoir is designed to be so tight that when the gas is introduced the water is forced through the water line. 12 . Sparkling water device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hydraulic and / or pneumatic pump is connected downstream of the water reservoir. 13 . Sparkling water device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the water filter and / or the mineralization stage: a . is arranged in the water reservoir and / or b . behind the water reservoir and / or c . behind the hydraulic and / or pneumatic pump, d . wherein in particular the water filter and / or the mineralization stage is designed as a frit. 14 . Sparkling water device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a pressure vessel separate from the water reservoir is provided for collecting water and for carbonation. 15 . Sparkling water device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gas line is divided into two gas lines, one of which is connected to the water reservoir or to the hydraulic and / or pneumatic pump and the other to the pressure vessel. 16 . Sparkling water device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hydraulic and / or pneumatic pump comprises a gas outlet line with which the gas from the pump can be directed into the water reservoir and / or into a pressure accumulator for directing gas into the pressure vessel. 17 . Filter for insertion into a sparkling water device according to one of the preceding claims for reducing chlorine from the water and / or the reduction of heavy metals and / or organic contaminants, such as chlorination by-products, pesticides, medical residues, hormones and / or particles and / or for reducing water hardness and / or microorganisms and / or fine plastics. 18 . Filter according to claim 17 with mineralization materials and / or mineralization granules for enriching the water with minerals.

19. Filter according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that a compressed filter granulate is present.

20. Filter according to one of claims 17 to 19, characterized in that it comprises at least one granulate made of ion exchange resin and / or activated carbon granulate and / or other combined filter materials and / or mineralizing materials and / or mineralizing granules which is solidified by sintering and / or solidified by means of binders at low temperatures and shaped.

21. Filter according to one of claims 17 to 20, characterized in that it has a stable three-dimensional structure with a fine pore structure, through which the CO2 gas can be introduced into the water, and which is designed so that when the flow is reversed, the water enriched with CO2 gas flows through the filter in the opposite direction to that in which the CO2 was introduced. _ Gas can be filtered.

22. Mineralization stage for insertion into a sparkling water device according to one of the preceding claims, for example in the form of a mineralization cartridge or mineralization cartridge, characterized in that it is designed to enrich the water to a desired mineral content.

23. A method for producing sparkling water using a sparkling water device with an integrated water filter and / or mineralization stage, characterized in that the water is forced through the filter and / or the mineralization stage of the sparkling water device by the CO2 gas pressure of the gas cylinder.

24. A method according to claim 23, characterized in that the water is forced through the filter and / or the mineralization stage before the CO2 enrichment or carbonation.

25. Method according to one of the preceding claims 23 or 24, characterized in that the water is pressed through the filter and / or mineralization stage after CO2 enrichment or carbonation.

26. Method according to one of the preceding claims 23 to 25, characterized in that a filtration and / or mineralization of the water takes place between the beginning and the end of the CO2 gas enrichment or carbonation of the water.

27. Method according to one of the preceding claims 23 to 26, characterized in that the water is pressed through the filter and / or a mineralization stage via a hydraulic and / or pneumatic pump driven by the CC>2 pressure. 28 . Method according to one of the preceding claims 23 to 27, characterized in that the filter and / or the mineralization stage is used as a CO2 gas distributor or frit through which the CO2 gas is introduced into the water. 29 . Method according to one of the preceding claims 23 to 28 , characterized in that the filter and / or the mineralization stage is used as a CO2 gas distribution frit or filter frit and, when the pressure conditions are reversed, the sparkling water is passed over the filter and / or the mineralization stage is filtered.

30. Method according to one of the preceding claims 23 to 29, characterized in that the filter is integrated into a carbonator integrated into the sparkling water device, from which the filtered water enriched with CO2 gas can be drawn off from the device in different portions.

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