Carbonated water machine

Abstract

What is provided is a carbonation device having a connection part for connecting to a carbon dioxide gas cartridge, a carbonated water bottle, a device for replenishing carbon dioxide gas to the water in the carbonated water bottle, and a pressure vessel.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] Provided is a carbonated water machine comprising a coupling for coupling with a carbonation cartridge, a carbonated water bottle, a device for recarbonating water in the carbonated water bottle, and a pressure vessel. The pressure vessel has a hollow interior along its longitudinal axis, the hollow interior having a first opening on a first side and a second opening on a second side opposite the first side, where the first opening has a first coupling structure that is (optionally reversibly) connected to a coupling of the carbonated water machine, and the second opening has a second coupling structure that is reversibly connected to a connector of the carbonated water bottle. The carbonated water machine allows for easier, more convenient, more accurate and more complete filling of the carbonated water bottle compared to known carbonated water machines. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventional carbonated water machines inject carbon dioxide into the water in a beverage bottle, concentrating the water with carbon dioxide gas. For this purpose, a standard carbonated water machine has a lance through which carbon dioxide is directed under pressure from above into the beverage bottle containing water. Efficient degassing requires a certain air-filled volume in the upper region of the carbonated water bottle, into which the rising water can briefly enter and exit again due to pressurized degassing.

[0003] This volume is typically provided by a beverage bottle that is inserted into the carbonated water machine, which means that this volume must be left free when the beverage bottle is filled with water before being replenished with carbon dioxide gas by the carbonated water machine, resulting in a disadvantage to the user, as ultimately not all of the volume provided by the beverage bottle may be used to prepare carbonated water.

[0004] In order to optimally gas the water in the beverage bottle of a typical carbonated water machine with carbon dioxide, the user needs to fill the beverage bottle exactly up to the mark. For a bottle made of a transparent material (e.g., transparent glass), it may be easy to maintain the optimal fill level. In contrast, for a non-transparent bottle (e.g., a steel bottle), it is more difficult for the user to maintain the optimal fill level, since the liquid level is less visible or not visible. Furthermore, the maximum fill level is often not in the area of ​​the bottle opening, but in a much deeper area of ​​the bottle, and the illumination by ambient light is also low due to the non-transparent bottle. Particularly for carbonated water machines with such a beverage bottle, filling the beverage bottle is prone to errors and is not very easy or convenient for the user.

[0005] Patent Document 1 discloses a carbonated water device having a connection for establishing a connection with a carbon dioxide gas supply source, a carbonated water bottle, a pressure vessel, and a device disposed inside the carbonated water bottle for replenishing carbon dioxide gas to the water in the carbonated water bottle, the pressure vessel having a hollow interior with a first opening and a second opening opposite the first opening, the first opening being fluidly connected to the carbon dioxide gas supply source and the second opening being fluidly connected to the interior of the carbonated water bottle. The carbonated water device in Patent Document 1 has the disadvantage of being expensive in terms of materials and costs. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] West German Patent No. 851479 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] It was therefore an object of the present invention to provide a carbonated water machine that does not have the drawbacks known in the prior art. In particular, the provided carbonated water machine should allow for easier, more convenient, more accurate and more complete filling of carbonated water beverage bottles than known carbonated water machines. Furthermore, simple, convenient, accurate and complete filling should be possible with carbonated water beverage bottles whose walls consist of a material that is opaque to visible light (e.g. printing on a glass wall) and / or which consist of such a material (e.g. metal walls such as stainless steel walls). Furthermore, the carbonated water machine should in particular allow for efficient pressurization and gas refueling of carbonated water beverage bottles that are completely filled with water in a more cost-effective manner.

[0008] This object is achieved by a carbonated water device having the features of claim 1. Advantageous developments are described in the dependent claims. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The carbonated water device of the present invention comprises: a) a connection part suitable for establishing a connection with a carbon dioxide cartridge that is fluid-tight to the outside (optionally the connection part has a connection or connection with the carbon dioxide cartridge that is liquid-tight to the outside); b) a carbonated water bottle having an interior at least partially (optionally completely) filled with water and a connector; c) a pressure vessel having a hollow interior along a longitudinal axis of the pressure vessel, the hollow interior having a first opening on a first side and a second opening on a second side opposite the first side, the first opening having a first coupling structure that is (optionally reversibly) connected to a connector of a carbonated water machine, the first opening being fluidly connected to a carbonation cartridge of the carbonated water machine, and the second opening having a second coupling structure that is reversibly connected to a connector of a carbonated water beverage bottle, the second opening being fluidly connected to an interior of the carbonated water beverage bottle; d) a device for gassing the water in the carbonated water bottle with carbon dioxide, the device being disposed in at least some of the water-filled interior areas of the carbonated water bottle; A carbonated water device characterized in that the hollow interior of the pressure vessel has a volume in the range of 5% to 30% of the interior volume of a carbonated water beverage bottle.

[0010] The term "pressure vessel" refers to a component that, when pressure is applied to its hollow interior, is not destroyed by twice the pressure at which the pressure is saturated with carbon dioxide, preferably a pressure in the range of 0.5 MPa to 3 MPa, particularly preferably a pressure in the range of 1 MPa to 2.5 MPa, and particularly preferably a pressure in the range of 2.0 MPa to 2.4 MPa. The pressure vessel is not the same as the carbon dioxide gas source of the carbonated water device, i.e., it is not the same as the carbon dioxide gas cartridge. According to the present invention, the term "fluid" refers to both gas and liquid. For example, the term "liquid-tight" means liquid-tight and gas-tight, and the term "fluidically" means liquid-conductive and gas-conductive.

[0011] The advantage of the carbonation device is that it allows for easier, more convenient, more accurate and more complete filling of carbonated water. This is achieved by the pressure vessel of the carbonation device forming a volume outside the bottle into which the water in the carbonated water beverage bottle expands during pressurized gas refilling. This allows for filling water to a higher position than in conventional carbonation devices, for example up to the bottom end of the bottleneck or even up to the bottleneck of the carbonated water bottle. This area is still easily and clearly visible from outside / above, allowing for easy, convenient, accurate and complete filling. The optional reversible coupling of the pressure vessel to the carbonation device also makes cleaning of the pressure vessel easier. Apart from that, since the internal volume of the pressure vessel is in the range of 5% to 30% of the internal volume of the carbonated water beverage bottle, the carbonation device of the present invention allows for efficient pressurized gas refilling of a carbonated water beverage bottle completely filled with water in a more cost-effective manner than known carbonation devices.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the hollow interior of the pressure vessel has a volume in the range of 10% to 25%, preferably in the range of 15% to 25%, particularly in the range of 18% to 22% of the internal volume of the carbonated water beverage bottle. By setting the internal volume of the pressure vessel in this range, a more cost-effective carbonated water device can be provided without compromising the efficiency of pressurized gas supply to a carbonated water beverage bottle completely filled with water. If the internal volume of the pressure vessel is in the range of at least 10%, at least 15%, or at least 18% of the internal volume of the carbonated water beverage bottle, the efficiency of pressurized gas supply can be further improved compared to a range of at least 5% of the internal volume of the carbonated water beverage bottle. The hollow interior of the pressure vessel may have a volume of, for example, 100 to 500 cm. 3 The volume can range from 0.01 to 0.01.

[0013] In a further preferred embodiment, the hollow interior of the pressure vessel has only surfaces suitable for directing water by gravity towards the opening in the second side of the pressure vessel, this embodiment has the advantage that a maximum amount of carbonated water can be delivered to the carbonated water beverage bottle (as no part of the water remains in the pressure vessel) and there is no or at least a reduced risk of contamination.

[0014] Alternatively, the hollow interior of the pressure vessel may have, at least in some areas, a surface that is not suitable for directing water by gravity towards the opening in the second side of the pressure vessel, said surface being fluidly connected to a device suitable for conveying water towards the opening in the second side of the pressure vessel. The device is preferably selected from the group consisting of a pump, a scraper and combinations thereof. This embodiment also has the advantage that a maximum amount of carbonated water can be delivered to the carbonated water drink bottle (as no part of the water remains in the pressure vessel) and there is no or at least a reduced risk of contamination.

[0015] The pressure vessel of the carbonated water device may have a length along its longitudinal axis of between 2 cm and 40 cm. Further, the pressure vessel may have a cylindrical shape in at least some areas.

[0016] Alternatively, the pressure vessel may have a maximum diameter perpendicular to its longitudinal axis of between 5 cm and 20 cm, and it is particularly preferred that the diameter of the first side of the pressure vessel and / or the diameter of the second side of the pressure vessel is smaller than the diameter between the first and second sides of the pressure vessel.

[0017] The pressure vessel is made of stainless steel, the wall thickness of which is preferably 0.3-8 mm. The stainless steel is optionally overmolded with other materials, in particular plastic. Stainless steel has the advantage that it has suitable (i.e. sufficient) resistance to the internal pressure in the pressure vessel (even without reinforcing ribs) and is easy to clean in a dishwasher. Stainless steel is also less brittle than, for example, porcelain or glass, which means that there is no or at least a reduced risk of the pressure vessel breaking under the internal pressure and small parts of the pressure vessel flying out, and there is no risk of injury to the user of the carbonated water device.

[0018] Furthermore, the pressure vessel may comprise or consist of plastic, the wall thickness of which preferably ranges from 0.3 mm to 15 mm. The plastic may comprise or consist of a fibre composite material. Similar to stainless steel, plastic has the advantage that it is sufficiently resistant to the internal pressure of the pressure vessel (even without reinforcing ribs). Similar to stainless steel, plastic is less brittle than, for example, porcelain or glass, meaning that there is no or at least a reduced risk of the pressure vessel breaking under the internal pressure and small parts of the pressure vessel flying out, and there is no risk of injury to the user of the carbonated water device. Plastic has the advantage that it is cheaper than stainless steel, and therefore carbonated water can be provided at a low cost.

[0019] The first side of the pressure vessel may have a seal suitable for establishing a fluid tight connection between the first side of the pressure vessel and a connection of the carbonated water device.

[0020] The second side of the pressure vessel may have a seal suitable for establishing a fluid tight connection between the second side of the pressure vessel and the connector of the carbonated water bottle.

[0021] The outermost portion of the second side of the pressure vessel may have a distance from the base of the carbonated water device that corresponds to at least the height of a carbonated water beverage bottle, the distance from the base of the carbonated water device preferably being in the range of 10cm to 40cm.

[0022] The connector of the carbonated water bottle preferably protrudes into the second opening of the pressure vessel by a length of 2-5 cm, a protrusion of this length or more being advantageous for establishing a liquid-tight and air-tight connection between the carbonated water bottle and the pressure vessel.

[0023] The first and / or second coupling structure may be selected from the group consisting of a screw thread, a bayonet closure, and combinations thereof, where the screw thread is optionally a continuous thread or a screw thread segment. The screw thread and / or the bayonet closure allow the connection to be established quickly and pressure-tightly and to be released more quickly (e.g., more quickly and pressure-tightly than a packing box insert).

[0024] The carbonated water bottle can have a coupling structure selected from the group consisting of a screw thread, a bayonet closure, and combinations thereof, with the connector of the carbonated water bottle, and the screw thread is optionally a continuous screw thread or a screw thread segment. This embodiment can create a functional and secure connection to the coupling structure of the pressure vessel, which connection can also be quickly established and released.

[0025] Furthermore, the carbonated water beverage bottle may be at least partially, and optionally completely, made of or have a wall made of a material that is opaque to light in the range of 400 nm to 800 nm (i.e., human-visible light), in particular a material selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, colored and / or printed plastic, colored and / or printed glass, and combinations thereof.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment, the device for regassing water in a carbonated water beverage bottle includes or consists of a lance.

[0027] The lance may be disposed within the hollow interior of the pressure vessel to the interior of the carbonated water bottle, the lance preferably extending along a longitudinal axis of the lance from the interior of the pressure vessel to the interior of the carbonated water bottle.

[0028] The lance may also have an interior cavity along a longitudinal axis of the lance that is fluidly connected to a connection portion of the carbonated water device and is fluidly connected to the interior of the carbonated water beverage bottle.

[0029] In an advantageous embodiment, the opening of the internal cavity of the lance is arranged in the interior of the carbonated water bottle at a height, starting from the point closest to the bottom (i.e. the lowest point) of the carbonated water bottle, which is at least 10%, preferably at least 20%, particularly preferably at least 40%, very particularly preferably at least 60%, in particular at least 80% of the height of the carbonated water bottle. The height of the carbonated water bottle is understood to be the spatial extent of the carbonated water bottle from the point closest to the base of the carbonated water bottle (i.e. the point in the direction away from the pressure vessel) to the point furthest from the base of the carbonated water bottle (i.e. the point in the direction towards the pressure vessel). The higher the opening of the internal cavity of the lance is located in the interior of the carbonated water bottle (e.g. 40% or more of the height of the carbonated water bottle), the more efficient the re-gassing of the water in the carbonated water bottle with carbon dioxide may be.

[0030] Additionally, the lance may have a maximum diameter perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the lance that is less than a minimum diameter perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the hollow interior of the pressure vessel.

[0031] The lance may be elongated along its longitudinal axis to have a length in the range of 0.2 to 50 cm.

[0032] Additionally, the lance may have a maximum diameter perpendicular to its longitudinal axis in the range of 0.3 to 10.0 cm.

[0033] Alternatively, the lance may be centrally located within the hollow interior of the pressure vessel.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment, the lance is elongated along its longitudinal axis such that it protrudes from the pressure vessel from the outermost portion of the second side of the pressure vessel by a length in the range of 0.2 to 10 cm.

[0035] The lance may be irreversibly connected to the carbonator or to the pressure vessel. In the latter case, the lance remains on the carbonator when the pressure vessel is removed (for cleaning), i.e. when the pressure vessel is removed or installed, and when the pressure vessel is installed via the lance to the carbonator. In the former case, the lance can be removed from the carbonator together with the pressure vessel, cleaned and installed again in the carbonator.

[0036] The subject matter according to the invention will now be explained in more detail on the basis of the following drawings, without wishing to limit them to the specific embodiments presented therein. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0037] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a carbonated water device according to the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 shows an enlarged detail of the schematic diagram shown in FIG. [Explanation of symbols]

[0038] 1: Carbonated water machine 2: Carbonated water bottle 3: Carbonated water bottle connector 4: A device for adding gas to water (e.g. a lance) 5: Pressure vessels 6: Hollow interior of pressure vessel 7: Primary joint structure of pressure vessel 8: Secondary joint structure of pressure vessel 9: Opening on the second side of the pressure vessel 10: Hollow interior surface of pressure vessel 11: Seal of first side of pressure vessel 12: Seal of second side of pressure vessel 13: Outermost part of the second side of the pressure vessel 14: Soda bottle wall 15: Inside a carbonated water bottle S1: First side of the hollow interior of the pressure vessel S2: The second side of the hollow interior of the pressure vessel O1: First opening in the hollow interior of the pressure vessel O2: Second opening in the hollow interior of the pressure vessel L: Longitudinal axis of the pressure vessel (here the lance) DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0039] 1 is a schematic diagram of a carbonated water machine 1 according to the invention. The carbonated water machine 1 comprises a connection (not shown) suitable for establishing a liquid-tight connection with a carbonation cartridge to the outside (not shown). Furthermore, the carbonated water machine 1 comprises a carbonated water drinking bottle 2 having an interior 15 partially filled with water and a connector 3, which connects the interior 15 to the environment of the carbonated water drinking bottle 2. The carbonated water machine 1 also comprises a device 4 (here a lance) for recharging the water in the carbonated water drinking bottle 2 with carbon dioxide gas. According to the invention, the carbonated water machine comprises a pressure vessel 5 having, along a longitudinal axis L of the pressure vessel 5, a hollow interior 6 having a first opening O1 on a first side S1 and a second opening O2 on a second side S2 opposite the first side S1, the first opening O1 having a first coupling structure 7 reversibly and liquid-tightly connecting the first opening O1 to the carbonated water machine 1 and the second opening O2 having a second coupling structure 8 reversibly and liquid-tightly connecting the second opening O2 to an interior 15 of the carbonated water beverage bottle 2. In this embodiment, the wall 14 of the carbonated water beverage bottle 2 is entirely made of a material (here stainless steel) that is completely opaque to light in the range of 400 nm to 800 nm.

[0040] FIG. 2 shows an enlarged detail of the schematic diagram shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 clearly shows that the hollow interior 6 of the pressure vessel 5 has only a surface 10 suitable for directing water by gravity towards an opening 9 in the second side of the pressure vessel 5. This enlarged view also shows that the pressure vessel 5 is provided with a seal 11 on its first face S1 and a seal 12 on its second face S2. The outermost part 13 of the second side S2 of the pressure vessel 5 is also shown. The lance 4, here a device for gassing the water in the carbonated water beverage bottle 2 with carbon dioxide, can be so long that it protrudes from the pressure vessel 5 along its longitudinal axis L from the outermost part 13 of the second side S2 of the pressure vessel 5 for a length in the range of 0.2 to 10 cm.

Claims

1. A carbonated water device, comprising: a) a connection part suitable for connection to a liquid-tight carbon dioxide gas cartridge; b) a carbonated water bottle having an interior at least partially filled with water and a connector; c) a pressure vessel having a hollow interior along a longitudinal axis, the hollow interior having a first opening on a first side and a second opening on a second side opposite the first side, the first opening having a first coupling structure connected to the connector of the carbonated water device, the first opening being fluidly connected to a carbonation cartridge of the carbonated water device, and the second opening having a second coupling structure reversibly connected to the connector of the carbonated water beverage bottle, the second opening being fluidly connected to the interior of the carbonated water beverage bottle; d) a device for re-gassing the water in the carbonated water bottle with carbon dioxide, the device being positioned in at least some areas of the water-filled interior of the carbonated water bottle; and Equipped with 10. The carbonated water machine according to claim 9, wherein the hollow interior of the pressure vessel has a volume in the range of 5% to 30% of the interior volume of the carbonated water beverage bottle.

2. i) the hollow interior of the pressure vessel has a volume in the range of 10% to 25%, preferably in the range of 15% to 25%, in particular in the range of 18% to 22% of the volume of the interior of the carbonated water beverage bottle; and / or ii) the hollow interior of the pressure vessel is between 100 and 500 cm ３ 2. The carbonated water apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the range is 0.1 to 1.

3. i) the hollow interior of the pressure vessel has only surfaces suitable for directing water by gravity towards the opening in the second side of the pressure vessel; or ii) the hollow interior of the pressure vessel has, at least in some areas, a surface that is not suitable for conducting water by gravity towards the opening in the second side of the pressure vessel, the surface that is not suitable for conducting water by gravity being fluidly connected to a device suitable for conveying water towards the opening in the second side of the pressure vessel, the device suitable for conveying water being preferably selected from the group consisting of a pump, a scraper and combinations thereof.

4. i) the pressure vessel has a length along a longitudinal axis of the pressure vessel of between 2 cm and 40 cm; and / or ii) A carbonated water machine as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the pressure vessel has a cylindrical shape in at least some regions along the longitudinal axis of the pressure vessel.

5. A carbonated water device as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the pressure vessel has a maximum diameter perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pressure vessel of 5 cm to 20 cm, and particularly preferably, the diameter of the first side of the pressure vessel and / or the diameter of the second side of the pressure vessel is smaller than the diameter between the first and second sides of the pressure vessel.

6. i) the pressure vessel comprises or consists of stainless steel, the wall thickness of which is preferably in the range of 0.3 mm to 8 mm, the stainless steel being optionally overmolded with another material, in particular a plastic; and / or ii) The carbonated water machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the pressure vessel comprises or consists of plastic, the wall thickness of which is preferably in the range of 0.3 mm to 15 mm, and which optionally comprises or consists of a fibre composite material.

7. 7. The carbonated water machine of claim 1, wherein the first side of the pressure vessel has a seal suitable for establishing a fluid-tight connection between the first side of the pressure vessel and the connection portion of the carbonated water machine.

8. 8. The carbonated water machine of claim 1, wherein the second side of the pressure vessel has a seal suitable for establishing a fluid-tight connection between the second side of the pressure vessel and the connector of the carbonated water beverage bottle.

9. A carbonated water machine as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the outermost part of the second side of the pressure vessel has a distance from the base of the carbonated water machine that corresponds to at least the height of the carbonated water beverage bottle, and the distance from the base of the carbonated water machine is preferably in the range of 10 cm to 40 cm.

10. 10. The carbonated water machine according to claim 1, wherein the first connecting structure and / or the second connecting structure is selected from the group consisting of a screw thread, a bayonet closure, and combinations thereof, and the screw thread is optionally a continuous thread or a screw thread segment.

11. i) the carbonated water beverage bottle has a coupling structure on the connector of the carbonated water beverage bottle selected from the group consisting of a screw thread, a bayonet closure, and combinations thereof, the screw thread being optionally a continuous thread or a screw thread segment; and / or ii) The carbonated water device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the carbonated water drinking bottle has a wall which at least partially, optionally completely, comprises or consists of a material which is opaque to light in the range of 400 nm to 800 nm, the opaque material being in particular selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, coloured plastic, coloured glass and combinations thereof.

12. the device for regassing the water in the carbonated water beverage bottle comprises or consists of a lance; i) the lance is preferably disposed in the hollow interior of the pressure vessel to the interior of the carbonated water bottle, the lance preferably extending along a longitudinal axis of the lance from the interior of the pressure vessel to the interior of the carbonated water bottle; and / or ii) the lance preferably has an internal cavity along a longitudinal axis of the lance, the internal cavity being fluidly connected to the connection of the carbonated water device and to the interior of the carbonated water drinking bottle; and / or iii) The carbonated water machine according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the lance preferably has a maximum diameter perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the lance which is smaller than the minimum diameter perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the hollow interior of the pressure vessel.

13. i) the lance is elongate along its longitudinal axis and has a length in the range of 0.2 to 50 cm; and / or ii) the lance has a maximum diameter perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the lance in the range of 0.3 to 10.0 cm; and / or 13. The carbonated water machine of claim 12, wherein iii) the lance is centrally located within the hollow interior of the pressure vessel.

14. A carbonated water device as described in any one of claims 12 or 13, characterized in that the lance is long so as to protrude from the outermost part of the second side of the pressure vessel along a length in the range of 0.2 to 10 cm along the longitudinal axis of the lance.

15. i) the lance is irreversibly connected to the carbonated water device, or 15. The carbonated water apparatus of any one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that ii) the lance is irreversibly connected to the pressure vessel.

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