Device for adding a gas and / or an additive to a liquid contained in a liquid container, additive container, liquid container and combination thereof

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for adding a gas and / or an additive to a liquid (2) contained in a liquid container (3), said device (1) comprising a first holder (10) for holding a gas container (11) that contains said gas, a second holder (50) for holding an additive container (120) that contains said additive, a supply means (80) for supplying said gas and / or said additive to said liquid (2), and a connector (100) for connecting the device (1) to the liquid container (3). The invention also relates to a liquid container (3), an additive container (120), and a combination of any of the device (1), the liquid container (3) and the additive container (120).

Description

[0001] DEVICE FOR ADDING A GAS AND / OR AN ADDITIVE TO A LIQUID CONTAINED IN A LIQUID

[0002] CONTAINER, ADDITIVE CONTAINER, LIQUID CONTAINER AND COMBINATION THEREOF

[0003] The invention relates to a device for adding a gas and / or an additive to a liquid contained in a liquid container, wherein said device comprises a first holder for holding a gas container that contains said gas, a second holder for holding an additive container that contains said additive, a supply means for supplying said gas and / or said additive to said liquid, and a connector for connecting the device to the liquid container.

[0004] Such a device may be used for transforming a still liquid, such as still water, into pressurized liquid, in particular carbonised liquid, more in particular carbonised water, and / or for transforming a non-flavoured and / or non-coloured liquid, such as water, into flavoured and / or coloured liquid, in particular flavoured and / or coloured water. The device is preferably a light-weight and / or compact device, such that it is transportable and may be used at any location for transforming said liquid.

[0005] As described above, said device comprises a first holder for holding a gas container that contains said gas, for example carbon dioxide. It is noted that said gas container may contain said gas in both a gaseous and liquid state, but wherein the gas is added to the liquid in the liquid container preferably only in the gaseous state. The first holder may be designed in any suitable way and / or may hold the gas container in any suitable way. For example, the first holder may accommodate the gas container or may connect to an external gas container not accommodated by the first holder. The gas container may in particular be an off the shell gas container, and may alternatively for example be referred to as a gas canister, gas cartridge, or gas cylinder.

[0006] Said device further comprises a second holder for holding an additive container that contains said additive. The additive may for example be a flavour substance or colour substance, for example a syrup. The additive container may alternatively for example be referred to as a cup or capsule. The second holder may be designed in any suitable way and / or may hold the additive container in any suitable way. For example, the second holder may accommodate the additive container or may connect to an external additive container not accommodated by the second holder.

[0007] Said device further comprises a supply means for supplying said gas and / or said additive to said liquid. The supply means may be designed in any suitable way, wherein it is arranged to supply said gas and / or said additive to said liquid in a suitable way. The supply means may alternatively for example be referred to as a spout. It is noted that said gas and / or said additive may be added directly into the liquid in the liquid container or may be added to the liquid container at a level above the liquid level, wherein the gas and / or additive next mixes with the liquid in the liquid container.

[0008] Said device further comprises a connector for connecting the device to the liquid container. The connector may be designed in any suitable way and / or may connect to any suitable part of the liquid container, for example to a neck of the liquid container. For example, the connector may connect to the liquid container by screwing and / or clicking the connector to the liquid container and may have suitable connecting means thereto. The connector may in particular connect to the liquid container in a substantially gas tight manner and / or in such a way that the connector may withstand the pressure that builds up inside the liquid container as a result of pressurizing the liquid with the gas from the gas container, such that the device remains connected to the liquid container even during and / or after pressurizing the liquid.

[0009] It is noted that throughout the text a or an may mean at least one. For example, two supply means could be provided, one for supplying the gas to the liquid contained in the liquid container and one for supplying the additive to the liquid contained in the liquid container. In an embodiment of the device the device comprises a pressure release element, said pressure release element being arranged to release gas from the second holder if the pressure in the second holder exceeds a first threshold value.

[0010] Said pressure release element provides the advantage that if the pressure in the second holder exceeds the first threshold, the pressure is released by releasing gas from the second holder. This prevents the additive container, that is in this embodiment at least partly and preferably fully accommodated in the second holder, from imploding or exploding by preventing the pressure to exceed the first threshold, thereby preventing the additive contained in the additive container from being spread throughout the second holder and optionally other parts of the device. This may in particular provide the advantage of not having to clean up and / or remove additive from the device, which is in particular advantageous for the additive which may be a sticky substance that may be difficult to clean up and / or remove.

[0011] The first threshold value may be chosen in accordance with the strength of the additive container and / or may in particular be a value that is lower than a maximum pressure that the additive container can withstand. For example, but not limited thereto, the first threshold value may be around 10 bar.

[0012] The gas released by the pressure release element may be released to any suitable location, for example to the outside environment of the device.

[0013] In an embodiment the pressure release element directly or indirectly connects the second holder to the liquid container, such that the gas is released from the second holder into the liquid container if the pressure in the second holder exceeds the first threshold value. The liquid container may be larger than the second holder, thereby allowing the pressure to expand in the liquid container and thereby lowering the pressure. Additionally or alternatively, as will be described below, the device may have at least one valve that is in fluid communication with the liquid container, said at least one valve being arranged to open and thereby release gas from the liquid container if a pressure in the liquid container exceeds a second threshold value. In such an embodiment, the gas released into the liquid holder via the pressure release element may next be released from the liquid container via said at least one valve.

[0014] Said pressure release element may be embodied in any suitable way.

[0015] For example, the pressure release element may comprise a closing element for closing an end of the second holder that is facing towards the first hold holder in a substantially gas tight manner, said closing element being connected to the first holder by means of a spring element, thereby allowing the closing element to move away from the second holder into an open position if the pressure within said second holder exceeds the first threshold value and thereby allowing the gas to be released from the second holder via a gap present between the second holder and the closing element.

[0016] Said gas released via the gap may directly leave said device, for example via a channel or opening provided for this purpose and connecting the gap to the outside environment of the device, or may enter the liquid container as described above, for example via an opening in the second holder provided for this purpose, said opening of the second holder being provided such that it does not connect the inner space 53 of the second holder to the liquid container in normal use of the device, but only when the pressure is released via the pressure release element. For example, the opening may be provided in an In an embodiment, as will be described in further detail below, the second holder may comprise at least one liquid outlet opening for passing through liquid from the liquid container, wherein said at least one liquid outlet opening is in fluid communication with said gap when present, such that the gas released via the gap may enter the liquid container via the at least one liquid outlet opening of the second holder.

[0017] It is noted that the closing element may normally adopt a closed position in which it closes the end of the second holder that is facing towards the first hold holder in said substantially gas tight manner as a result of said spring element urging the closing element into the closed position, and that the closing element may return from its open position to its closed position when said pressure reduces to below said first threshold value as a result of said spring element urging the closing element into its closed position. It is noted that said spring element may be any suitable element acting as a spring, i.e. any element urging or biasing the closing element into its closed position as a standard position but allowing the closing element to at least temporarily move to said open position if said pressure exceeds said first threshold value.

[0018] Additionally or alternatively, the pressure release element may comprise a valve, said valve being arranged to open and thereby release gas from the second if the pressure within said second holder exceeds the first threshold value.

[0019] Said valve may release the gas to any suitable location, for example to the outside environment of the device, for example via a channel or opening provided for this purpose and connecting the valve to the outside environment.

[0020] Preferably said valve is in fluid communication with the liquid container, such that the gas released via the valve enters the liquid container. For example, said valve may be arranged at or connect to the second holder at a position where the second holder connects to or extends to within the liquid container.

[0021] When said pressure within said second holder exceeds the first threshold value said valve may adopt an open position for releasing the gas, and when the pressure is below the first threshold value said valve may adopt a closed position, thereby preventing gas to be released from the second holder via the valve. Said valve may thus be urged into the closed position as a standard position, for example by means of a spring element, which spring element may be any element urging or biasing the valve into its closed position but allowing the valve to at least temporarily move to said open position if said pressure exceeds said first threshold value.

[0022] Additionally or alternatively, the pressure release element may comprise a weak spot or line of the second holder, allowing the second holder to break at or along the weak spot or line if the pressure in the second holder exceeds the first threshold value.

[0023] In such an embodiment the second holder preferably at least partly extends to within the liquid container in use of the device, such that when the second holder breaks at said pressure exceeding the first threshold value, it breaks into the liquid container. It is noted that after breaking, the second holder should be replaced for a replacement second holder for a next use of the device.

[0024] Additionally or alternatively, the pressure release element may comprise said supply means for supplying said gas and / or said additive to said liquid, said supply means having a supply opening that is arranged to widen from a first cross-sectional size to a second, larger cross-sectional size if the pressure in the second holder exceeds the first threshold value.

[0025] As a result of the supply opening widening to the second, larger cross-sectional size if the pressure in the second holder exceeds the first threshold value, the gas is easily released into the liquid container. In an embodiment of the device according to the invention said device comprises at least one valve that is in fluid communication with the liquid container, said at least one valve being arranged to open and thereby release gas from the liquid container if a pressure in the liquid container exceeds a second threshold value.

[0026] When said pressure within said liquid container exceeds the second threshold value said valve may adopt an open position for releasing the gas from the liquid container, and when the pressure is below the second threshold value said valve may adopt a closed position, thereby preventing gas to be released from the liquid container via the valve.

[0027] It is noted that from a safety perspective, for example two or three of said valves may be provided.

[0028] Said at least one valve preferably fluidly connects the liquid container to the outside environment of the liquid container and device, for example via a channel or outlet opening provided for this purpose.

[0029] Said device may further comprise at least one spring element for urging or biasing the at least one and in particular a respective valve in a closed position, said at least one spring element being arranged to allow said at least one valve to open when said pressure in the inner space 53 exceeds said second threshold value.

[0030] Said valve may thus be urged into the closed position as a standard position by means of said spring element, which spring element may be any element urging or biasing the valve into its closed position but allowing the valve to at least temporarily move to said open position if said pressure exceeds said second threshold value.

[0031] In an embodiment of the device according to the invention a sound creating element is provided that is arranged to create a sound when the at least one valve opens and / or is open.

[0032] As described above, the valve opens when the pressure in the inner space exceeds said second threshold value, which indicates that the liquid is pressurized, in particular carbonized, to a desired level. As such, the sound that is provided by the sound creating element when the at least one valve opens and / or is open is a signal for the user that the liquid is carbonized to the desired level and carbonization may be stopped.

[0033] Said sound creating element may be any suitable sound creating element. For example, the valve may contact a surface upon opening and the sound creating element may be part of the valve or said surface, such that a sound is created when the valve contacts the surface. Alternatively or additionally, the gas released via the valve may create a sound by causing a said sound creating element provided for example in a channel or outlet opening connecting the valve to the outside environment of the device to vibrate. Alternatively or additionally, the gas released via the valve may be caused to vibrate by a said sound creating element provided for example in a channel or outlet opening connecting the valve to the outside environment of the device, thereby creating a sound.

[0034] It is noted that said sound creating element is an element specifically provided and arranged for creating a sound when said valve opens and / or is open, and this sound may in particular be louder than any occasional sound a valve may make upon opening or of a gas being released.

[0035] It is further noted that when multiple valves are provided, said sound creating element may be provided in connection to each valve, to some of the valves, or to only one valve.

[0036] Preferably the first threshold value is higher than the second threshold value. In such a case the pressure is only released by means of said pressure release element if there is an obstruction between the second holder and the liquid container, and in normal use of the device, i.e. when the gas may normally leave the second holder and may normally enter the liquid container, the gas is released from the liquid container via said valve if the pressure in the liquid container is at the desired level, i.e. at the second threshold value.

[0037] In an embodiment of the device according to the invention the second holder is arranged to extend to within the liquid container with at least a part thereof in use of the device, preferably with the part holding the additive container.

[0038] An advantage of this embodiment is that all the wet parts, including the additive which may for example be a syrup, are arranged in the liquid container which contains said liquid.

[0039] It may for example be possible to close off said liquid container while said second holder is arranged in the liquid container. This allows a user to close off the liquid container with the wet parts of the device therein, which may in particular be convenient during traveling such that the user does not have to remove and store any wet parts, but may leave these in the liquid container.

[0040] The supply means may for example be part of or connect to said second holder, such that the supply means are also arranged to extend to within the liquid container in use of the device.

[0041] In an embodiment of the device according to the invention the second holder comprises at least one liquid outlet opening for passing through liquid from the liquid container.

[0042] Such liquid outlet opening allows for the second holder to remain in said liquid container after pressurizing and / or adding additive to the liquid in the liquid container and allows a user to drink the liquid in the liquid container while the second holder is arranged in the liquid container. This may for example be convenient when a user is travelling, such that all the wet parts may remain in the liquid container while allowing the user to drink, and to remove only the dry parts of the device. It is noted that said liquid outlet opening may also be arranged for passing through gas from the liquid container, wherein said liquid outlet opening is fluidly coupled to said at least one valve.

[0043] In an embodiment of the device according to the invention the second holder and the liquid container comprise mutually cooperating connecting means for connecting the second holder to the liquid container.

[0044] The connecting means may be arranged in any suitable way. In some embodiments the connecting means may be arranged such that the second holder connects to the liquid container in such a way that the second holder may extend to within the liquid container with at least a part thereof.

[0045] Connecting may mean in this respect that the second holder and the liquid container are linked together, for example allowing the second holder to be arranged into the liquid container with at least part thereof, but this does not require a fixed or locked or fastened relationship. For example, the second holder resting on part of the liquid container is also seen as connecting. However, in some embodiments there may be a fixed or locked or fastened relationship between the second holder and liquid container.

[0046] In an embodiment of the device according to the invention the connecting means of the second holder comprise a first connecting element that is arranged to rest on a second connecting element of the liquid container, said second connecting element for example being defined by or provided on or in a neck of the liquid container.

[0047] Such connecting means provide an easy solution for connecting the second holder to the liquid container. An advantage of said first connecting element being arranged to rest on the neck of the container as the second connecting element is that the liquid container does not need to be provided with a dedicated second connecting element but may have such second connecting element being defined by the neck of the container that is already present. An advantage of providing a second connecting element in the neck of the liquid container is that it may be easier to provide a cap for closing off the liquid container, because the second connecting element and / or the second holder are not in the way of the neck that is normally used for screwing a cap thereon. The neck usually comprises an external threading for screwing thereon a sad cap.

[0048] The second connecting element may for example comprise a ridge or the like that extends over at least part of the inner circumference of the neck and preferably extends over the full circumference. Such a ridge may be a continuous ridge or may comprise a plurality of ridge parts together defining a ridge on which the first connecting element may rest. The first connecting element may for example comprise a substantially radially outward extending flange that is arranged to rest on the second connecting element. Said flange may be a continuous flange or may comprise a plurality of flange parts together defining a flange by means of which the second holder may rest on the first connecting element.

[0049] In an embodiment of the device according to the invention a cross-sectional size of a or said supply opening of the supply means is chosen in accordance with a desired pressurization.

[0050] The applicant has found that the cross-sectional size of the supply opening of the supply means influences the pressurization of the liquid and in particular for example the intensity and / or gas bubble size thereof. As such, by choosing or selecting a particular cross-sectional size of the supply opening of the supply means, a desired pressurization is chosen.

[0051] Practically the supply means may comprise a supply element that is arranged at an end of the second holder that is facing towards and / or is arranged in the liquid container in use of the device, said supply element comprising a or said supply opening.

[0052] The supply element may be a separate element that is connected to said end of the second holder or may be an integral part of said end of the second holder.

[0053] In an embodiment of the device according to the invention the supply element may extend to within the liquid container, preferably in such a way that the supply opening of the supply element extends to below the liquid level in the liquid container in use of the device, such that the gas and / or additive is added directly into the liquid.

[0054] In an embodiment of the device according to the invention the supply element is exchangeably connectable to the second holder.

[0055] An advantage is that the supply element being exchangeably connectable to the second holder, in particular to said end thereof, is that the supply element may be replaced in case replacement is desired, for example if the supply element is damaged. An alternative or additional advantage may be that a supply element having a desired cross-sectional size of a or said supply opening may be connected to the second holder, thereby choosing or selecting a desired pressurization of the liquid, and that supply element may be replaced by another supply element having a different cross-sectional size of the supply opening when a different pressurization is desired.

[0056] Such a supply element may be connected to the second holder in any suitable way, for example by screwing or clicking the supply element to the second holder. The supply element and second holder may comprise mutually cooperating connecting means for this purpose, such as threading or click means or snap means. In an embodiment of the device according to the invention the device further comprises a first piercing element for piercing a first end of the additive container and / or a second piercing element for piercing a second, opposite end of the additive container.

[0057] The first and / or second piercing element may be any suitable piercing elements. Preferably, the first and / or second piercing element may have a pointy or sharp edge for easily piercing the first and / or second end, respectively.

[0058] In such an embodiment the additive container may be a substantially closed and / or sealed additive container for keeping the additive therein and / or for preserving the additive, wherein said additive container is pierced upon use.

[0059] Both ends of said additive container may be pierced, or only one end may be pierced, wherein it is for example possible that one end of the additive container is temporarily covered with a seal that may be removed prior to use and / or may be pre-pierced and contained in a package.

[0060] Said additive container may comprise a substantially cylindrical and / or frustoconical wall, wherein the ends of the additive container may be defined at the opposing ends of said wall.

[0061] In an embodiment of the device according to the invention the first piercing element is part of the first holder, and wherein the first piercing element is arranged to pierce the additive container during connecting the device to the liquid container using said connector.

[0062] An advantage of this embodiment is that the first end of the additive container is automatically pierced during connecting the device to the liquid container using said connector.

[0063] Practically said connector may be part of the first holder and may be arranged such that during connecting the first holder with said connector to said liquid container the first holder moves in a substantially axial direction with respect to said liquid container and the second holder, thereby piercing the first end of the additive container with said first piercing element.

[0064] In such an embodiment the first holder and thereby the first piercing element move with respect to the liquid container and the second holder during connecting the device to the liquid container, such that the distance between the additive container held by the second holder and the piercing element reduces during connecting and the first end is pierced by the first piercing element.

[0065] In an embodiment of the device according to the invention said second holder comprises said second piercing element.

[0066] Said second piercing element may be arranged near the second end of the additive container when the additive container is held by the second holder. More in particular, the second piercing element may be arranged in or at the second holder near the supply means. For example, the second end of the additive container may be pierced by the second piercing element by manually pressing the additive container into the second holder.

[0067] Alternatively or additionally, said first holder may comprise a pressing element for pressing said additive container in a or said axial direction in the second holder during connecting the first holder with said connector to said liquid container, thereby piercing the second end of the additive container with said second piercing element.

[0068] In such an embodiment the second end of the additive container is pierced automatically during connecting the first holder with said connector to said liquid container.

[0069] As described above, during connecting the first holder with said connector to said liquid container, the first holder and connector may move with respect to the liquid container and the second holder. By moving or pressing the additive container along with the first holder, the additive container is moved with respect to the second holder and thereby pierced by the second piercing element.

[0070] It is noted that in such an embodiment the additive container may be pressed or moved over a smaller distance than the first holder is moved, such that both ends of the additive container are pierced by the respective first and second piercing elements.

[0071] It is noted that any suitable number of piercing elements may be provided, and in particular one or more first piercing elements and / or one or more second piercing elements.

[0072] In an embodiment of the device according to the invention the device comprises a fluid path for transporting gas from the gas container to the additive container.

[0073] This fluid path may be defined in or by the first and / or second holder and / or by parts of the first and / or second holder.

[0074] In an embodiment of the device according to the invention the fluid path comprises an expansion chamber for expanding said gas.

[0075] An advantage of expanding the gas is that this allows the gas to transfer from the liquid state into the gaseous state, which is advantageous because the gas is preferably supplied to the liquid in the gaseous state.

[0076] In an embodiment of the device according to the invention said expansion chamber comprises multiple expansion chamber parts that are fluidly connected to each other via at least one opening.

[0077] Preferably sequential openings as seen in a gas transport direction are not aligned.

[0078] By not aligning sequential openings the fluid path for the gas becomes longer and the gas may collide to walls defining the expansion chamber parts, thereby enhancing the transfer of the gas from liquid state to the gaseous state. This may be achieved by not aligning the sequential openings in a direction towards the liquid container and / or an or said axial direction of the device, wherein the gas transport direction has an overall direction towards the liquid container and / or in the axial direction of the device.

[0079] Preferably the direction of the fluid path changes from one said expansion chamber part to a next.

[0080] By changing the direction of the fluid path, the fluid path for the gas becomes longer and the gas may collide to walls defining the expansion chamber parts, thereby enhancing the transfer of the gas from liquid state to the gaseous state.

[0081] As described above, although the direction of the fluid path may change over the length of the fluid path, from one chamber to another, the overall direction of the fluid path may be towards the liquid container and / or in the axial direction of the device.

[0082] In an embodiment of the device according to the invention said expansion chamber is partly defined by a an element comprising a substantially cylindrical element and a transverse plate like element that is arranged substantially in the middle of the cylindrical element and extends in a transverse direction with respect to the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical element, such that the element defines a substantially H-shaped longitudinal cross section, wherein the expansion chamber is defined by the two opposite surfaces of the transverse plate like element and the inner and outer cylindrical surfaces of the cylindrical element, optionally wherein the outer ends of the substantially cylindrical element each define or comprise an or said opening.

[0083] A remainder of the expansion chamber, for example an outer wall of the expansion chamber, may be defined by other parts of the first holder, thereby defining a gas tight expansion chamber.

[0084] In an embodiment of the device according to the invention said fluid path comprises a gas outlet element that, in use of the device, extends to within a said additive container for feeding gas into said additive container, wherein said gas outlet element comprises at least one gas outlet opening that is arranged such that said gas is fed to the additive container in a direction substantially orthogonal to a direction towards said supply means.

[0085] An advantage of feeding the gas in a direction substantially orthogonal to a direction towards said supply means, is that the gas first distributes itself over the upper surface or level of the additive and then substantially uniformly presses the additive in the direction of the supply means.

[0086] Said gas is in particular provided into a head space of the additive container, such that the gas may easily spread in the head space and distribute over the upper level of the additive, prior to pressing the additive in the direction of the supply means. For this reason the gas outlet element is, in use of the device, arranged in the head space of the additive container, i.e. just below the first, or upper, end of the additive container.

[0087] In an embodiment of the device according to the invention said gas outlet element extends to within said additive container in a direction substantially parallel to said direction towards said supply means, and wherein the at least one outlet opening is arranged at a side of the gas outlet element.

[0088] In such an embodiment, because the gas outlet element extends to within said additive container in a direction substantially parallel to said direction towards said supply means, the side of the gas outlet element comprising said at least one outlet opening is facing the substantially orthogonal direction in which said gas is preferably fed.

[0089] Practically the gas outlet element has two said outlet openings that are arranged at opposite sides of said gas outlet element.

[0090] In such an embodiment the gas outlet element may comprise a longitudinally extending part, said longitudinally extending part extending in a direction substantially orthogonal to a direction towards said supply means, and wherein the outlet openings are provided at the ends of the longitudinally extending part.

[0091] In an embodiment of the device according to the invention the gas outlet element and the first piercing element are formed as one integral part.

[0092] An advantage of such an embodiment is that after piercing the first end of the additive container the gas outlet element may extend to within the additive container for feeding the gas into the additive container.

[0093] In an embodiment of the device according to the invention the end of the gas outlet element is pointed in at least one cross-section thereof for piercing the additive container.

[0094] As a result of said pointed end the gas outlet element may easily pierce said first end of the container.

[0095] It is noted that if said gas outlet element has a longitudinally extending part as described above, said longitudinally extending part may have a substantially arrow-shaped transverse cross-section defining said pointed end of the gas outlet element.

[0096] In an embodiment of the device according to the invention the second holder comprises orientating means for holding said additive container in a desired orientation and / or for indicting the desired orientation of the additive container in the second holder.

[0097] As a result of the orientating means the additive container may be held in the second holder in a desired orientation. This may either be achieved manually by indicating the desired orientation and allowing the user to insert the additive container in the desired orientation, or by the orientating means being arranged to hold the additive in the desired orientation and more preferably only in the desired orientation, such that the additive container may only be inserted into the second holder in the desired orientation or may automatically adapt the desired orientation.

[0098] It is noted that the additive container may be rotational symmetric, such that the additive container may be in the desired orientation in multiple orientations.

[0099] Holding the additive container in a desired orientation may be advantageous for various reasons, for example if the first and / or second piercing elements are arranged at a specific location that needs to correspond to a specific orientation of the additive container.

[0100] Practically the orientating means may be defined by a chosen cross-sectional shape of the second holder.

[0101] In such an embodiment the additive container may only fit into the second holder in an orientation that corresponds to the cross-sectional shape of the second holder.

[0102] Said second holder may have said chosen cross-sectional shape along the complete length thereof, or only over part of the length thereof. Preferably, said second holder may have said chosen cross-section at least at an end thereof that is facing said supply means.

[0103] Said chosen cross-sectional shape is in particular non-round, for example polygonal.

[0104] In areas of the second holder where the second holder has a different cross-sectional shape than said chosen cross-sectional shape, the second holder may have a round cross- sectional shape. In such an embodiment the cross-sectional shape of the second holder may gradually change from the chosen cross-sectional shape to the different cross-sectional shape.

[0105] In other words, the second holder may have a first cross-sectional shape over a first part of the length thereof, i.e. the chosen cross-sectional shape, and a second, different cross- sectional shape over a second part of the length thereof. An intermediate part of the length may define a transition area in which the cross-sectional shape of the second holder gradually changes from the first cross-sectional shape to the second cross-sectional shape.

[0106] In an embodiment of the device according to the invention said device comprises means for pressing the additive container at least partly out of the second holder and / or for allowing the additive container to be removed from the second holder, preferably without tilting and / or removing the second holder.

[0107] An advantage of such means is that the additive container may easily be removed from the second holder after use, in particular without tilting and / or removing the second holder.

[0108] An advantage of being able to remove the additive container in particular without tilting and / or removing the second holder is that this allows the second holder to remain in the liquid container after use as described above with respect to some embodiments of the device, while also allowing the additive container to be removed.

[0109] Said means for pressing the additive container at least partly out of the second holder may for example comprise a means for urging the additive container at least partly out of the second holder, for example a spring element. During connecting the device to the liquid container the outward expelling force of the spring element may be overcome, but when the device is disconnected from the liquid container the spring element may atomically push the additive container partly out of the second holder.

[0110] If the additive container is pushed or pressed out of the second holder with at least part thereof, the upper end or top thereof may easily be grasped by a user for removing the additive container from the second holder.

[0111] Means for allowing the additive container to be removed from the second holder may for example comprise at least one recess or the like in which a user may insert part of at least one finger for grasping the additive container.

[0112] The invention also relates to an additive container, for example for use in a device as described above in any one or more of the above described embodiments and / or having any one or more of the above described features, alone or in any desired combination, wherein said additive container comprises a circumferential wall, and a bottom and a top at respective ends of the circumferential wall, optionally wherein the bottom and / or top comprises a membrane.

[0113] Such an additive container is known per se. Said circumferential wall may have a substantially cylindrical and / or frustoconical shape and / or elongated shape, having a desired cross-section.

[0114] The additive container may for example be made of or comprise Polyethylene (PE).

[0115] In an embodiment of the additive container according to the invention the bottom comprises at least one rib that extends from one position of the circumferential wall to another position of the circumferential wall along the bottom.

[0116] Such at least one rib may provide additional strength to the additive container.

[0117] Alternatively or additionally, such at least one rib may be present as a result of a manufacturing process of the additive container, in particular if the additive container is made using for example a injection moulding technique.

[0118] Practically the bottom of the additive container may comprise three rib parts, each extending from a different position of the circumferential wall and meeting each other in the middle or centre of the additive container. The different positions may be angularly spread along the circumferential wall with about 120 degrees in between the rib parts. It will be clear for the skilled person that any desired number of ribs or rib parts may be provided.

[0119] It is noted that any piercing element provided for piercing the bottom, for example the second piercing element of the device as described above, may be arranged at a position such that it pierces the bottom of the additive container outside of the at least one rib.

[0120] In such a case it is advantageous if the additive container comprises said orientating means for holding said additive container in a desired orientation and / or for indicting the desired orientation of the additive container in the second holder, because in such a case the additive container may be held in such an orientation that the (second) piercing element is located adjacent the bottom outside of the at least one rib.

[0121] In an embodiment of the additive container according to the invention the bottom has a first thickness in areas outside the at least one rib and a second thickness in areas of the at least one rib, wherein the second thickness is greater than the first thickness.

[0122] Such a bottom may for example be made together with the circumferential wall using injection moulding, wherein the ribs are formed by channels transporting the plastics material to the wall and wherein the bottom is thinner between the ribs. In such an embodiment the circumferential wall and bottom define one integral additive container part.

[0123] In such an embodiment the upper end or top of the additive container may be used for filling the additive container with additive, after which the top is closed and sealed by means of a membrane.

[0124] In an embodiment of the additive container according to the invention the additive container comprises orientating means for placing said additive container in a desired orientation in a or said device for feeding at least an additive to a liquid and / or for indicting a desired orientation of the additive container in said device.

[0125] As a result of the orientating means the additive container may be held by the device, in particular for example by a second holder of the device, in a desired orientation. This may either be achieved manually by indicating the desired orientation and allowing the user to insert the additive container in the desired orientation, or by the orientating means being arranged to insert or place the additive in the desired orientation and more preferably only in the desired orientation, such that the additive container may only be inserted into the device, in particular the second holder thereof, in the desired orientation or may automatically adapt the desired orientation.

[0126] It is noted that the additive container may be rotational symmetric, such that the additive container may be in the desired orientation in multiple orientations. Holding the additive container in a desired orientation may be advantageous for various reasons, for example if the device has at least one piercing element that is arranged at a specific location that needs to correspond to a specific orientation of the additive container.

[0127] Practically the orientating means may be defined by a chosen cross-sectional shape of the additive container.

[0128] In such an embodiment the additive container may only fit into the device and in particular the second holder thereof in an orientation that corresponds to the cross-sectional shape of a part of the device that is arranged for holding the additive container, i.e. for example the second holder thereof. In other words, the cross-sectional shape of the additive container may in such an embodiment be adapted and / or correspond and / or be similar to the cross- sectional shape of the part of the device that is arranged for holding the additive container, i.e. for example the second holder.

[0129] Said additive container may have said chosen cross-sectional shape along the complete length thereof, or only over part of the length thereof. Preferably, said additive container may have said chosen cross-sectional shape at least at an end thereof that is facing a supply means of said device.

[0130] Said chosen cross-sectional shape is in particular non-round, for example polygonal, allowing the additive containerto be held in a specific orientation.

[0131] In areas of the additive container where the additive container has a different cross- sectional shape than said chosen cross-sectional shape, the additive container may have a round cross-sectional shape. In such an embodiment the cross-sectional shape of the additive container may gradually change from the chosen cross-sectional shape to the different cross- sectional shape.

[0132] In other words, the additive container may have a first cross-sectional shape over a first part of the length thereof, i.e. the chosen cross-sectional shape, and a second, different cross- sectional shape over a second part of the length thereof. An intermediate part of the length may define a transition area in which the cross-sectional shape of the additive container gradually changes from the first cross-sectional shape to the second cross-sectional shape.

[0133] Preferably the second cross-sectional shape is round, wherein the second cross- sectional shape is defined by the part of the additive container comprising the top.

[0134] Preferably the first cross-sectional shape is substantially polygonal, such as triangular, wherein the first cross-sectional shape is defined by the part of the additive container comprising the bottom.

[0135] In an embodiment of the additive container according to the invention said additive container contains said additive. Said additive may for example be a syrup.

[0136] Preferably, in a correct position of the additive container wherein the bottom of the additive container is the lowest point of the additive container, a head space is present between an upper level of said additive and the top of the additive container.

[0137] It may be advantageous if a gas from a gas container expelling the additive from the additive container in use of the additive container and / or said device may be allowed to enter the additive container in this head space.

[0138] A thickness of the headspace may be suitable chosen. The application has found that the thickness of the head space may be between 1 - 10 mm, preferably at least or about 3mm.

[0139] In an embodiment of the additive container according to the invention said additive container comprises a grasping means for grasping the additive container.

[0140] Such a grasping means may allow for easy removal of the additive container from a said device, in particular for example from the second holder thereof.

[0141] Such a grasping means may be provided in addition to, or as an alternative to, any means of a said device provided for pressing the additive container at least partly out of the device, i.e. for example from the second holder thereof, and / or for allowing the additive container to be removed from the device, i.e. for example the second holder thereof, preferably without tilting and / or removing the device, i.e. for example the second holder.

[0142] Practically said grasping means may comprise a handle, said handle preferably extending from the additive container at or near the top thereof.

[0143] Said handle may for example comprise or be defined by a tab or the like. Such a handle or tab allows the additive container to be easily removed from the device.

[0144] Said handle or tab may for example extend substantially radially from or near an upper end of the circumferential wall and / or from the top.

[0145] The invention further relates to a liquid container for use in a device as described above in any one or more of the above described embodiments and / or having any one or more of the above described features, alone or in any desired combination, said liquid container being arranged for connecting to the connector of the device.

[0146] Said liquid container may in particular be embodied such that it may withstand the pressure of the gas that is fed to the liquid contained in the liquid container during use of the device. For example, this may be achieved by the liquid container having suitable shape and / or wall thickness and / or being made or comprise a suitable material.

[0147] The liquid container may for example be made of or comprise Polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The liquid container may for example comprise a body for containing the liquid, in particular up to a desired level as will be described below, and a neck. Said neck may have a smaller cross-sectional size than said body. Said neck may for example comprise means for connecting to the connector of the device. For example said neck may comprise an external threading or clicking elements, being arranged to connect to an internal threading or clicking elements of the device, respectively.

[0148] In an embodiment of the liquid container according to the invention said liquid container comprises indicating means for indicating a fill level of liquid in the container.

[0149] It may be preferred if the gas and / or additive is fed to the liquid below the liquid level, i.e. within the liquid. As such, by indicating a fill level of liquid in the container and by having a supply means that extends to within the liquid container and in particular up to or beyond the indicating means indicating the fill level, it may be arranged that the gas and / or additive is fed into the liquid.

[0150] The indicating means may for example comprise at least one line, symbol, colour, or any other suitable indicating element for indicating the fill level. Preferably at least two indicating elements are provided, one for indicating a maximum fill level and the other for indicating a minimum fill level of liquid in the container. The user may then fill the liquid container with liquid, for example water, up to anywhere at one of or between the two indicator elements.

[0151] In an embodiment of the liquid container according to the invention the liquid container comprises a second connecting element, said second connecting element for example being defined by or provided on or in a or said neck of the liquid container.

[0152] Such a second connecting element may be provided for connecting to a first connecting element of the device.

[0153] The second connecting element may for example comprise a ridge or the like that extends over at least part of the inner circumference of the neck and preferably extends over the full circumference. Such a ridge may be a continuous ridge or may comprise a plurality of ridge parts together defining a ridge on which the first connecting element may rest.

[0154] The invention further relates to a combination of a device as described above in any one or more of the above described embodiments and / or having any one or more of the above described features, alone or in any desired combination, and an additive container as described above in any one or more of the above described embodiments and / or having any one or more of the above described features, alone or in any desired combination, and a liquid container as described above in any one or more of the above described embodiments and / or having any one or more of the above described features, alone or in any desired combination. The advantage of such a combination and the below embodiments of the combination will be apparent based on the description above relating to any of the subparts of the combination.

[0155] In an embodiment of the combination according to the invention the gas outlet opening of the gas outlet element extends to within the head space of the additive container.

[0156] In an embodiment of the combination according to the invention the second piercing element is arranged at a position such that it pierces the bottom of the additive container outside of the at least one rib.

[0157] In an embodiment of the combination according to the invention said device may comprise three rib parts as described above, wherein three second piercing elements are provided that are located between the rib parts when the additive container is held by the second holder in the desired orientation.

[0158] It is noted that alternatively only one piercing element may be provided that pierces or breaks through the rib parts. Such an embodiment may have the advantage that it is not required to accommodate the additive container in a specific orientation in the second holder. In such an embodiment the orientating means of the second holder and / or the additive container may not be provided.

[0159] In an embodiment of the combination according to the invention the second holder and the additive container have cross-sectional shapes over at least part of their lengths that are adapted to each other for holding the additive container by the second holder in a desired orientation.

[0160] In an embodiment of the combination according to the invention the supply means and in particular a or said supply opening thereof extends up to or beyond the indicating means for indicating a fill level of liquid in the container when the device is connected to the liquid container, such that in use of the device the gas and / or additive is fed into the liquid contained in the liquid container if the container if filled with liquid up to the indicated fill level.

[0161] The combination may further comprise a said gas container that contains said gas.

[0162] The invention may further relate to the use of a device as described above in any one or more of the above described embodiments and / or having any one or more of the above described features, alone or in any desired combination, and / or an additive container as described above in any one or more of the above described embodiments and / or having any one or more of the above described features, alone or in any desired combination, and / or a liquid container as described above in any one or more of the above described embodiments and / or having any one or more of the above described features, alone or in any desired combination. The use of such a device and / or additive container and / or liquid container and in particular any steps of such use will be apparent to the skilled person based on the above and / or below description.

[0163] For example, such use may comprise providing a said device, a said additive container and a said liquid container, i.e. providing a said combination. Optional steps, to be performed in any suitable order and / or any suitable combination or alone, may comprise at least one of: connecting the connecter of the device to the liquid container, for example to the neck of the container, wherein optionally the second holder is connected to the liquid container and may optionally extend to within the liquid container with at least a part thereof prior to connecting the connecter of the device to the liquid container; filling the liquid container with liquid, preferably up to or beyond the indicating means for indicating a fill level of liquid in the container; holding a gas container, that is in particular filled with gas, such as carbon dioxide, by said first holder; inserting an additive container into the second holder, preferably in said desired orientation by means of said orientating means of the second holder and / or of the additive container; piercing the top and / or bottom of the additive container by means of the first and / or second piercing elements, respectively, wherein preferably piercing the top and / or bottom of the additive container occurs during connecting the connecter of the device to the liquid container; activating said device, wherein upon activation gas from the gas container is fed to the liquid in the liquid container, optionally also with additive from a said additive container, if provided, wherein activating for example may be executed by actuating a button or the like from a first state in which the device is not activated to a second state in which the device is activated, optionally wherein the button must be held by a said user in its second state during the whole process of adding a gas and / or additive to said liquid; stopping the activation of said device when said liquid is pressurized to a desired level, which may be for example be indicated by a said sound created by a said sound creating element, wherein stopping for example may take place by returning the button to its first state and / or by releasing the button and wherein the button automatically returns to its first state; disconnecting the device from the liquid container, optionally wherein the second holder is maintained in its connected position in which it is connected to the liquid container; removing the additive container after adding the additive to the liquid, for example by grasping the additive container by the grasping means thereof; drinking the pressurized and / or flavoured liquid, for example via the at least one liquid outlet opening of the second holder.

[0164] The invention will be further elucidated with reference to figures, wherein:

[0165] Figures 1A and IB are a schematic perspective view of a device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, wherein figure 1A shows the first holder of the device and figure IB shows the second holder of the device;

[0166] Figures 2A - 2C schematically show a longitudinal cross-section of the device of figure 1, wherein the device is connected to a liquid container, and wherein fig. 2B is a detailed view of a part of fig. 2A and wherein figure 2C is a similar detailed view as in fig. 2B but at a different angle;

[0167] Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of an expansion chamber of the device of figures 1A, IB, 2A - 2C;

[0168] Figures 4A and 4B schematically show an additive container that can be used with the device of figures 1A, IB, 2A and 2B, wherein figure 4A is a schematic perspective view of the additive container and figure 4B shows the inner space of a an empty additive container.

[0169] In the figures same reference numbers are used for same elements.

[0170] Figures 1A, IB, 2A - 2C show a device 1 for adding a gas and / or an additive to a liquid 2 contained in a liquid container 3, in this embodiment a bottle. The liquid may for example be water to which for example carbon dioxide and / or a flavoured and / or coloured syrup is added for carbonising and / or flavouring and / or colouring the liquid 2.

[0171] The device 1 comprises a first holder 10 for holding a gas container 11 that contains said gas. The gas container 11 may for example be a gas cylinder that is in this exemplary embodiment held by the first holder 10 by means of screwing the gas container 11 to a threading 12 the first holder 10. For this purpose the threading 12 is provided as an internal threading 12 of the first holder 10 and the gas container 11 comprises an external threading 13. The first holder 10 further comprises a cover 14 for covering and thereby accommodating the gas container 11. The cover 14 can be connected to a base part 15 of the first holder 10 by means of mutually cooperating threading 16, 17 of the cover 14 and base part 15, respectively, and thus by means of screwing. The device 1 comprises a second holder 50 for holding an additive container 120 and as shown in further detail in figures 4A, 4B, wherein the container 120 contains said additive, for example a flavoured and / or coloured syrop.

[0172] The device 1 further comprises a supply means 80 for supplying said gas and / or said additive to said liquid 2, wherein in this embodiment the supply means 80 is part of the second holder 50.

[0173] The device 1 comprises a connector 100 for connecting the device 1 to the liquid container 3, wherein in this exemplary embodiment the connector 100 is part of the first holder 10 and more in particular part of the base part 15 thereof. The connector 100 comprises in this exemplary embodiment an internal threading 101 for connecting to an external threading 4 of the liquid container 3, such that the first holder 10 of the device 1 may be connected to the liquid container 3 by means of screwing. The external threading 4 may be provided at the neck 5 of the liquid container 3 and may be the normally provided external threading 4, that can for example be used for screwing a cap thereto after removing the device 1.

[0174] For convenience, other features of the device 1 will be described below in the same order as the dependent claims. It will be apparent for the skilled person that those features may be provided alone, or in any suitable combination, and that those features may be optional or even preferred features, but not essential features. It is further noted that the figures show a preferred embodiment of the features of the device, but those features may alternatively be embodied in any other suitable way. Examples of which are described in the introduction and dependent claims of the text.

[0175] With reference to figures 2A and 2B, the device 1 and in particular the first holder 10 thereof comprises a pressure release element 18 which is arranged to release gas from the second holder 50 if the pressure in the second holder 50 exceeds a first threshold value. The first threshold value may for example be around 10 bar. In this exemplary embodiment the pressure release element 18 comprises a closing element 19 for closing an end of the second holder 50 that is facing towards the first hold holder 10 in a substantially gas tight manner. The closing element 19 is connected to the first holder 10 by means of a spring element 20, which spring element 20 urges the closing element 19 in its closed position in which it closes the upper end of the second holder 50 at pressures below and up to said first threshold value, and which spring element 20 allows the closing element 19 to move away from the second holder 50 into an open position if the pressure within said second holder 50 exceeds the first threshold value and thereby allowing the gas to be released from the second holder 50 via a gap present between the second holder 50 and the closing element 19. The open position is not shown in figures 2A, 2B, but it will be apparent that in this embodiment the closing element 19 moves in the direction of the first holder 10 which is upwards in the drawings. In this embodiment, the gas released from the second holder 50 via the gap present between the second holder 50 and the closing element 19 in the open position of the closing element 19 enters the bottle 3 via a plurality of openings 51 of the second holder 50, which openings 51 are in this embodiment provided in a substantially radially outward extending flange 52. The flange 52 is not part of the inner space 53 or inner chamber of the second holder 50 where the additive container is accommodated in use of the device 1, such that the openings 51 do not provide a fluidic path between the inner space of the second holder 50 and the inner space of the bottle 3 in normal use of the device. The openings 51, together with the gap present between the closing element 19 and second holder 50, do provide a fluidic path between the inner space of the second holder 50 and the inner space of the bottle 3 when the closing element 19 is in its open position, which will be the case when the pressure exceeds the first threshold value, such that gas may be released from the inner space of the second holder 50 into the bottle 3.

[0176] With reference to figures 2A and 2B, the device 1 and in particular the first holder 10 thereof comprises in this embodiment three valves 21 that are in fluid communication with the liquid container 3, in this embodiment via the plurality of openings 51 of the second holder 50. The valves 21 are arranged to open and thereby release gas from the liquid container 3 via a respective channel 23 out of three channels 23 that fluidly connects to the outer environment of the liquid container 3 if a pressure in the liquid container 3 exceeds a second threshold value. The second threshold value is preferably lower than the first threshold value and may for example be around 7 - 8 bar. In normal operation of the device 1, the gas and / or additive are fed to the liquid 2 via the supply means 80. In such normal operation the fluid path for gas and / or additive from the second holder 50 to the liquid container 3 is not obstructed, such that the gas will flow into the bottle 3 and the liquid in the bottle is pressurised. As soon as the liquid 2 in the liquid container 3 is pressurized up to the desired pressure, which is at the second threshold value, at least one of the valves 21 opens and the gas from the liquid container 3 is released from the liquid container 3 via the openings 51 and the respective channel 23 of that valve 21. The above described pressure release element 18 is provided in case the fluid path between the second holder 50 and the liquid container 3 is obstructed. In that case pressure will build up in the second holder 50 and when the pressure exceeds the first threshold value the pressure release element 18 releases the gas, wherein in this embodiment the gas is released into the liquid container 3. This will result in a rapid increase in pressure in the liquid container 3, such that at least one of the valves 21 will open as described above and the gas will be released to the outside environment via the channel 23. The valves 21 are in this embodiment thus provided for releasing the gas and thereby pressure both in normal conditions and when the fluid path of the second holder 50 is obstructed, and the pressure release element 18 is provided for releasing the gas and thereby the pressure from the second holder 50 if the fluid path of the second holder 50 is obstructed. The valves 21 are urged into their closed position as a standard position by means of respective spring elements 22 out of three spring elements 22, which spring elements 22 may be any element urging or biasing the respective valve 21 into its closed position but allowing the valve 21 to at least temporarily move to said open position if said pressure in the liquid container 3 exceeds said second threshold value. In this embodiment the spring element 22 is a helical compression spring. A sound creating element may be provided that is arranged to create a sound when the at least one valve 21 opens and / or is open.

[0177] Examples of such sound creating element are described above and it will be apparent how such exemplary sound creating elements may be provided in for example the exemplary embodiment of the device 1 as shown in the drawings.

[0178] The second holder is best shown in figures IB, 2A and 2B. In this exemplary embodiment of the device 1 the second holder 50 extends to within the liquid container 3 in use of the device with at least the part 53 that is arranged for holding, in this embodiment accommodating, the additive container. The second holder 50 may optionally remain in the bottle 3 after pressurizing and / or flavouring and / or colouring the liquid 2, thereby providing the advantage that, if desired, the wet part of the device 1 may remain in the bottle 3 and only the dry part of the device 1, i.e. the first holder 10, may be removed. The openings 51 described above may function as liquid outlet openings for passing through liquid from the liquid container 3 and may thus be used for drinking the liquid 2 from the bottle 3. As described above, the openings 51 are provided in a substantially radially outward extending flange 52. An upper edge 54 of the flange 52 is arranged for resting on the neck of the bottle 3, such that in this embodiment the second holder 50 can be connected to the liquid container 3 by having the upper edge 54 rest on the neck of the bottle 3.

[0179] The supply means 80 is best shown in figures IB and 2A. In this embodiment the supply means 80 is provided as a supply element 80 that is attached to the lower end of the second holder 50. The supply element 80 comprises a supply opening 81 via which the gas and / or additive is fed to the liquid 2. The cross-sectional size of the supply opening 81 is hereby chosen in accordance with a desired pressurization. In this exemplary embodiment, the supply element 80 and lower end of the second holder 50 comprise mutually cooperating threading 82, such that the supply element 80 is connected to the second holder 50 by means of screwing. If desired, a different supply element 80 may be connected to the second holder 50, for example if the supply element 80 needs to be replaced or if it is desired to use a supply element 80 with a different sized opening 81. As is best visible in figures 2A and 2B, the device 1 comprises a first piercing element 24 for piercing the upper end of the additive container when the additive container is held by the second holder 50. The first piercing element 24 is part of the first holder 10 and when the first holder 10 is connected to the bottle 3 using the connector 100, the first holder 10 and thereby the first piercing element 24 thereof moves in the direction of the bottle 3. The second holder 50 holding the additive container in use of the device 1 is connected to the bottle 3 as described above, and a such the first holder and thereby the first piercing element 24 thereof moves in the direction of the second holder 50 and additive container held thereby upon connecting the first holder 10 to the bottle 3. The first holder 10 and first piercing element 24 in particular move in a substantially axial direction with respect to the bottle 3 and second holder 50, as is indicated by arrow 25. The first piercing element 24 thereby pierces the upper end of the additive container when it is moved towards the second holder 50 and additive container held thereby. The first piercing element 24 has a sharp or pointy end such that it may easily pierce the upper end of the additive container.

[0180] In this embodiment the second holder 50 comprises three second piercing elements 54 arranged at a lower end of the inner space 53 of the second holder 50 for accommodating the additive container in use of the device 1. When the additive container is provided in the inner space 53 of the second holder 50 and the first holder 10 is connected to the bottle 3 using the connector 100 and thereby moves in the direction of the second holder 50 and bottle 3 in the axial direction 25, the additive container 120 is pressed further into the inner space 53 by the first holder 10, such that the second piercing elements 54 pierce the lower end of the additive container. The additive container 120 may in particular be pressed into the inner space 53 of the second holder by means of the closing element 19, which in this embodiment may function as a means for pressing the container 120 in the second holder 50.

[0181] The dotted line 30 in figure 2B indicates the fluid path for transporting gas from the gas container 11 to the additive container contained in the inner space 53 in use of the device 1. The fluid path 30 comprises in this embodiment an expansion chamber 31 for expanding said gas, thereby allowing any liquid gas to enter the gaseous state before entering the additive container. With reference to fig. 3, the expansion chamber 31 comprises multiple expansion chamber parts 33 that are fluidly connected to each other via openings 34. Sequential openings 34 as seen in a gas transport direction are not aligned in the axial direction of the device, such that the direction of the fluid path and thereby the gas transport direction changes from one said expansion chamber part 33 to a next, as is indicated by dotted line 30 in fig. 2B. Figure 3 shows that the expansion chamber 31 of this exemplary embodiment is partly defined by a an element 38 comprising a substantially cylindrical element 35 and a transverse plate like element 36 that is arranged substantially in the middle and at the inner side of the cylindrical element 35 and extends in a transverse direction with respect to the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical element 35, such that the element 38 defines a substantially H-shaped longitudinal cross section. The expansion chamber 31 is defined by the two opposite surfaces of the transverse plate like element 36 and the inner and outer cylindrical surfaces or walls of the cylindrical element 35. The upper and lower ends of the cylindrical element 35 each define two said openings 34. In the middle of the cylindrical element 35 an outward extending edge 37 is provided at the outer side of the cylindrical element 35, substantially at the same height of the plate like element 36. Said edge 37 also comprises two of the openings 34. In the axial direction of the device 1 the openings 34 of the edge 37 are not aligned with the openings 34 in the upper and lower end of the cylindrical element 35. As is shown in figure 2A, the element 38 is arranged in the first holder 10 of the device 1, wherein parts 39 of the first holder 10 surrounding the element 38 defines other parts of the fluid path 30 and in particular the expansion chamber 31 thereof. More in particular, the space present between said parts 39 of the first holder 10 surrounding the element 38 and the element 38 together define said expansion chamber. As is further shown, the upper and lower ends of the cylindrical element 35 and the edge 37 contact said parts 39, such that the gas is forced to flow from one expansion chamber part to a next via the openings 34, thereby changing direction.

[0182] The fluid path 30 comprises a gas outlet element 40 that, in use of the device, extends to within a said additive container 120 for feeding gas into said additive container. As is best visible in figure 2C, the gas outlet element 40 comprises in this embodiment two gas outlet openings 41 that are arranged such that said gas is fed to the additive container in a direction substantially orthogonal to a direction towards said supply means 80. As a result, the gas first spreads in the head space 126 of the container and then substantially uniformly presses the additive in the direction of the supply means 80. In this exemplary embodiment the gas outlet element 40 has a longitudinally extending part that extends substantially orthogonal to said direction towards said supply means 80, and wherein the gas outlet element has two said outlet openings 41 that are arranged at the ends of the longitudinal extending part of the gas outlet element 40. With reference to figure 2B, the longitudinal extending part of the gas outlet element is substantially arrow shaped in a transverse cross-section through the longitudinal extending part, i.e. as shown in figure 2B, such that it has a longitudinal extending pointy shape for piercing the additive container 120. As is visible in the figures, in this embodiment the gas outlet element 40 and the first piercing element 24 are formed as one integral part.

[0183] Figures 4A and 4B show an additive container 120 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. As is best visible in figure 4B, the additive container has a cross- sectional shape that gradually changes from round at the upper end or top 122 of the additive container 120 to non-round and in this case substantially triangular at the bottom end or bottom 123 of the additive container 120. The shape of the inner space 53 of the second holder 50 is substantially the same, such that the additive container 120 is accommodated by the second holder 50 in a specific orientation. As is shown in figures 4A and 4B, the additive container 120 comprises a circumferential wall 121 that extends between the bottom 123 and the top 122. The top 122 of the container 120 is covered by a membrane 124 and the top comprises a lip 125, which lip 125 can be grasped by a user for removing the container 120 from the device 1 after creating the beverage. At the bottom 123 the container 120 comprises in this embodiment three ribs 126 that extend from one position of the circumferential wall 121 to another position of the circumferential wall along the bottom 123, via a common centre point or centre area 128. The bottom 123 has a first thickness in areas 127 outside the ribs 126 and a second thickness in areas of the rib 126, wherein the second thickness is greater than the first thickness. The areas 127 outside the ribs 126 are defined by a membrane at the bottom of the container 120. The second piercing elements 54 provided at the lower end of the inner space of the second holder 50 are provided such that these pierce the bottom 123 of the container 120 in one or more of the areas 127 outside the ribs 126.

[0184] Figures 2A - 2C further shows spring elements 55 provided for pressing the additive container 210 at least partly out of the second holder 50. The force of those spring elements 55 acting on the container 120 is less than the force acting on the container 120 by the closing element 19, such that in use the container 120 is maintained in the inner space 53 of the second holder 50. After removing the first holder 10, the spring elements 55 may force the additive container 120 at least slightly out of the inner space 53, such that the lip 125 may easily be grasped by a user of may even be left away.

[0185] Figures 2A - 2C further show that the bottle 3 comprises lines 6 indicating a maximum of minimum level of the liquid in the bottle 3. The indicating lines 6 are provided such that the bottle 3 will be filled up to the desired level, which is chosen such that the gas and / or additive is added directly into the liquid 2 contained in the bottle 3.

[0186] Last, the activation of the device 1 will be described. The device 1 and in particular the first holder 10 thereof comprises a activation button 42. As is best visible in figure 2B, by pressing the button 42 a lever 44 pushes a part 43 upwards, thereby activating the gas container 11 to release the gas. The gas is released via channel 45, such that the gas contained in the upper part of the gas container 11 is released. It is most likely that the gas contained in the upper part of the gas container has the gaseous state, but if any liquid carbon dioxide is released the gas may enter the gas state in for example the expansion chamber as described above. As soon as the liquid is pressurised as described above, the valve 21 opens and optionally a sound is created. The user may then release the button 42, such that the lever 44 returns to its original position, the part 43 moves downwards, and no gas is released from the gas container 11. It is noted that the invention is not limited to the shown embodiments but also extends to variants within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

Claims1. Device for adding a gas and / or an additive to a liquid contained in a liquid container, said device comprising:- a first holder for holding a gas container that contains said gas;- a second holder for holding an additive container that contains said additive;- a supply means for supplying said gas and / or said additive to said liquid, and- a connector for connecting the device to the liquid container.

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the device comprises a pressure release element, said pressure release element being arranged to release gas from the second holder if the pressure in the second holder exceeds a first threshold value.

3. Device according to claim 2, wherein the pressure release element directly or indirectly connects the second holder to the liquid container, such that the gas is released from the second holder into the liquid container if the pressure in the second holder exceeds the first threshold value.

4. Device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the pressure release element comprises at least one of:- a closing element for closing an end of the second holder that is facing towards the first hold holder in a substantially gas tight manner, said closing element being connected to the first holder by means of a spring element, thereby allowing the closing element to move away from the second holder into an open position if the pressure within said second holder exceeds the first threshold value and thereby allowing the gas to be released from the second holder via a gap present between the second holder and the closing element;- a valve, said valve being arranged to open and thereby release gas from the second if the pressure within said second holder exceeds the first threshold value;- a weak spot or line of the second holder, allowing the second holder to break at or along the weak spot or line if the pressure in the second holder exceeds the first threshold value;- said supply means for supplying said gas and / or said additive to said liquid, said supply means having a supply opening that is arranged to widen from a first cross-sectional size to a second, larger cross-sectional size if the pressure in the second holder exceeds the first threshold value.

5. Device according to any of the preceding claims, comprising at least one valve that is in fluid communication with the liquid container, said at least one valve being arranged to open and thereby release gas from the liquid container if a pressure in the liquid container exceeds a second threshold value.

6. Device according to claim 5, comprising at least one spring element for urging the at least one valve in a closed position, said at least one spring element being arranged to allow said at least one valve to open when said pressure in the inner space exceeds said second threshold value.

7. Device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein a sound creating element is provided that is arranged to create a sound when the at least one valve opens and / or is open.

8. Device according to any of claims 2 - 4 in combination with any of claims 5 - 7, wherein the first threshold value is higher than the second threshold value.

9. Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the second holder is arranged to extend to within the liquid container with at least a part thereof in use of the device, preferably with the part holding the additive container.

10. Device according to claim 9, wherein the second holder comprises at least one liquid outlet opening for passing through liquid from the liquid container.

11. Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the second holder and the liquid container comprise mutually cooperating connecting means for connecting the second holder to the liquid container.

12. Device according to claim 11, wherein the connecting means of the second holder comprise a first connecting element that is arranged to rest on a second connecting element of the liquid container, said second connecting element for example being defined by or provided on or in a neck of the liquid container.

13. Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a cross-sectional size of a or said supply opening of the supply means is chosen in accordance with a desired pressurization.

14. Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the supply means comprises a supply element that is arranged at an end of the second holder that is facing towards and / or is arranged in the liquid container in use of the device, said supply element comprising a or said supply opening.

15. Device according to claim 14, wherein the supply element is exchangeably connectable to the second holder.

16. Device according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a first piercing element for piercing a first end of the additive container and / or a second piercing element for piercing a second, opposite end of the additive container.

17. Device according to claim 16, wherein the first piercing element is part of the first holder, and wherein the first piercing element is arranged to pierce the additive container during connecting the device to the liquid container using said connector.

18. Device according to claim 16 or 17, wherein said connector is part of the first holder and is arranged such that during connecting the first holder with said connector to said liquid container the first holder moves in a substantially axial direction with respect to said liquid container and the second holder, thereby piercing the first end of the additive container with said first piercing element.

19. Device according to any of claims 16 - 18, wherein said second holder comprises said second piercing element.

20. Device according to claim 19, wherein said first holder comprises a pressing element for pressing said additive container in a or said axial direction in the second holder during connecting the first holder with said connector to said liquid container, thereby piercing the second end of the additive container with said second piercing element.

21. Device according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a fluid path for transporting gas from the gas container to the additive container.

22. Device according to claim 21, wherein said fluid path comprises an expansion chamber for expanding said gas.

23. Device according to claim 22, wherein said expansion chamber comprises multiple expansion chamber parts that are fluidly connected to each other via at least one opening.

24. Device according to claim 23, wherein sequential openings as seen in a gas transport direction are not aligned in an or said axial direction of the device.

25. Device according to any of claims 22 - 24, wherein the direction of the fluid path changes from one said expansion chamber part to a next.

26. Device according to any of claims 22 - 25, wherein said expansion chamber is partly defined by a an element comprising a substantially cylindrical element and a transverse plate like element that is arranged substantially in the middle of the cylindrical element and extends in a transverse direction with respect to the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical element, such that the element defines a substantially H-shaped longitudinal cross section, wherein the expansion chamber is defined by the two opposite surfaces of the transverse plate like element and the inner and outer cylindrical surfaces of the cylindrical element, optionally wherein the outer ends of the substantially cylindrical element each define or comprise an or said opening.

27. Device according to any of the preceding claims and at least claim 21, wherein said fluid path comprises a gas outlet element that, in use of the device, extends to within a said additive container for feeding gas into said additive container, wherein said gas outlet element comprises at least one gas outlet opening that is arranged such that said gas is fed to the additive container in a direction substantially orthogonal to a direction towards said supply means.

28. Device according to claim 27, wherein said gas outlet element extends to within said additive container in a direction substantially parallel to said direction towards said supply means and wherein the at least one outlet opening is arranged at a side of the gas outlet element.

29. Device according to claim 28, wherein the gas outlet element has two said outlet openings that are arranged at opposite sides of said gas outlet element.

30. Device according to any of claims 27 - 29 and at least claim 16, wherein the gas outlet element and the first piercing element are formed as one integral part.

31. Device according to claim 30, wherein the end of the gas outlet element is pointed in at least one cross-section thereof for piercing the additive container.

32. Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the second holder comprises orientating means for holding said additive container in a desired orientation and / or for indicting the desired orientation of the additive container in the second holder.

33. Device according to claim 32, wherein the orientating means are defined by a chosen cross- sectional shape of the second holder.

34. Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said device comprises means for pressing the additive container at least partly out of the second holder and / or for allowing the additive container to be removed from the second holder, preferably without tilting and / or removing the second holder.

35. Additive container, for example for use in a device according to any of claims 1 - 34, wherein said additive container comprises a circumferential wall, a bottom and a top at respective ends of the circumferential wall, optionally wherein the bottom and / or top comprises a membrane.

36. Additive container according to claim 35, wherein said bottom comprises at least one rib that extends from one position of the circumferential wall to another position of the circumferential wall along the bottom.

37. Additive container according to claim 36, wherein the bottom has a first thickness in areas outside the at least one rib and a second thickness in areas of the at least one rib, wherein the second thickness is greater than the first thickness.

38. Additive container according to any of claims 35 - 37, comprising orientating means for placing said additive container in a desired orientation in a device for feeding at least an additive to a liquid and / or for indicting a desired orientation of the additive container in said device.

39. Additive container according to claim 38, wherein the orientating means are defined by a chosen transverse cross-sectional shape of the additive container.

40. Additive container according to claim 39, wherein the transverse cross-sectional shape of the additive container is substantially polygonal, such as triangular, over a part of the length of the additive container.

41. Additive container according to any of claims 35 - 40, said additive container containing said additive, and preferably wherein, in a correct position of the additive container wherein the bottom of the additive container is the lowest point of the additive container, a head space is present between an upper level of said additive and the top of the additive container.

42. Additive container according to claim 41, wherein a thickness of the head space is between 1 - 10 mm, preferably at least or about 3mm.

43. Additive container according to any of claims 35 - 42, said additive container comprising a grasping means for grasping the additive container.

44. Additive container according to claim 43, wherein said grasping means comprise a handle, said handle preferably extending from the additive container at or near the top thereof.

45. Liquid container for use in a device according to any of claim 1 - 34, said liquid container being arranged for connecting to the connector of the device.

46. Liquid container according to claim 45, comprising indicating means for indicating a fill level of liquid in the container.

47. Liquid container according to claim 45 or 46, comprising a second connecting element, said second connecting element for example being defined by or provided on or in a neck of the liquid container.

48. Combination of a device according to any of claims 1 - 34 and an additive container according to any of claims 35 - 44 and / or a liquid container according to any of claims 45 - 47.

49. Combination according to claim 48, wherein the gas outlet opening of the gas outlet element extends to within the head space of the additive container.

50. Combination according to claim 48 or 49, wherein the second piercing element is arranged at a position such that it pierces the bottom of the additive container outside of the at least one rib.

51. Combination according to any of claims 47 - 50, wherein the second holder and the additive container have cross-sectional shapes over at least part of their lengths that are adapted to each other for holding the additive container by the second holder in a desired orientation.

52. Combination according to any of claims 47 - 51, wherein the supply means and in particular a or said supply opening thereof extends up to or beyond the indicating means for indicating a fill level of liquid in the container when the device is connected to the liquid container, such that in use of the device the gas and / or additive is fed into the liquid contained in the liquid container if the container if filled with liquid up to the indicated fill level.

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