DE202011000504U1 - Device for providing sterilized ice for making beverages - Google Patents

Abstract

Device for providing sterilized ice for preparing beverages, comprising - an ice-making device (12), - a supply line (14) for supplying water to the ice-making device (12), - a further unit (16), in particular for dispensing the water of the device (10), and - a treatment area (23) arranged in the supply line (14) upstream of the ice-making device (12) with a treatment agent (25) for disinfecting the supplied water, characterized by a valve arranged in the supply line (14) ( 15), with which the water can optionally be fed to the ice-making device (12) or to the further unit (16).

Description

The present invention relates to a device for providing sterilized ice for preparing beverages, comprising an ice making device, another unit for discharging the water from the device, a supply line for supplying water to the ice making device and the further unit and one in the supply line upstream of the Ice generating device arranged treatment area with a treatment agent for sterilizing the water supplied. This ice can be used, for example, in the form of mouth ice for cooling drinks. Furthermore, the ice can be split into small portions by means of an ice crusher and is available for various applications, for example for cocktails or shakes. The following statements relate to the treatment of ice, which is obtained from water. However, the invention is not only based on water, but on liquids in general, in particular, they are suitable for cooling and / or preparing drinks. So is the case included that the liquid is largely based on water, but also contains other additives such as flavors.

Devices for delivering sterilized water are known. For example, shows the DE 60 2004 002 307 T2 a water treatment unit for beverage dispenser for dispensing drinking water, in which the drinking water is sterilized by means of a treatment area. In addition to the sterilization of the water this can also be cooled.

The danger that emanates from harmful germs is also present in ice, since even at low temperatures, there is a risk of germs. If the ice is used, for example, for cooling drinks, it at least partially thaws again, as a result of which the germs contained in the ice enter the drinks and are therefore absorbed by the user. This can lead to harmful infections.

In the JP 2003 287356 a device for sterilizing water is described, which is then further processed into ice. This device has its own refrigerated storage room in which a water storage tank is located. The entire refrigerated storage room can only be installed as a coherent unit and therefore not or only with great effort into existing water treatment systems are integrated, as for example in the DE 60 2004 002 307 T2 are disclosed.

Object of the present invention is therefore to provide a device of the type mentioned, which can be integrated into existing systems with a treatment area for disinfecting water and retrofitted.

The object is achieved with a device which comprises a valve arranged in the supply line, with which the water can be optionally fed to the ice-making device or to the further unit. The further unit is generally a dispenser with which treated water can be dispensed from an existing device. This dispenser may include a stopcock or the like. However, the further unit can also additionally serve to subject the water to further treatment steps before delivery, for example filtration or a temperature change.

The valve can be easily inserted into existing piping or hoses without having to significantly change the design of existing equipment. Only the ice making device needs to be connected to the valve. Existing devices can be easily retrofitted with the device according to the invention.

Preferably, the treating agent comprises a UV source for generating UV radiation. The use of UV radiation to kill off pathogens is widespread and has proven its worth. The killing of pathogens with UV radiation has the particular advantage that it is also applicable to stagnant water, in which the risk of propagation of pathogens is particularly high.

It has proved to be advantageous if the supply line has a region of UV-transmissive and UV-resistant material surrounding the UV source. Thus, the area of the supply line detected by the UV radiation is increased, so that the water flowing through the supply line is exposed to the UV radiation for a longer time. Consequently, a higher rate of sterilization is achieved, resulting in improved sanitation of the water. The region surrounding the UV source can be realized, for example, as a U-shaped projection or as a helix.

Furthermore, it is advantageous for the UV source to be arranged in a UV cartridge through which water can flow. The UV cartridges can be easily replaced and disposed of as a whole, without consuming measures must be taken. Furthermore, the UV source is protected from damage by the UV cartridge.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the valve is at least partially constructed of UV-transparent and UV-resistant material and arranged in the radiation region of the UV source, wherein the radiation region corresponds to the treatment area. Many valves have dead spaces where the water is long and not replaced. In this embodiment of the invention, the water in the valve is sterilized with, which is particularly important because the risk of germ proliferation in water is particularly large, which is a long time. In this case, the valve is preferably designed dead space free, so that the water that is in the valve is completely replaced when a flow is present.

Preferably, the ice making device and / or the further unit are at least partially constructed of UV-transparent and UV-resistant material and arranged in the radiation region of the UV source. Since both the ice maker and the other entity are the interface to the environment, they are particularly critical because they allow germs to enter the device, such as through contact with a user's fingers. If the ice generating device and the further unit are arranged in the radiation area of the UV source, the penetration of germs into the device is already effectively combated, so that the risk of retrograde microbial contamination is significantly reduced. Retrograde bacterial contamination is to be understood to mean the penetration of germs via the delivery units, in this case by the ice production device and the further unit, into the device against the main flow direction of the water.

In a preferred further development of the present device, in which the valve subdivides the feed line into a first section leading to the ice generating device and a second section leading to the further unit, the first and / or the second section are constructed of UV-transmissive and UV-resistant material and arranged in the radiation area of the UV source. In this further development, the area in which the water is sterilized is also increased, so that the risk of microbial contamination is reduced. Furthermore, with only one UV source, both the first and the second section are exposed to UV radiation, which allows a particularly effective utilization of the generated UV radiation. The device can therefore be operated particularly inexpensively. The material should not only be UV-transparent, but also UV-resistant, so that it is not decomposed and leaking during the life of the device according to the invention of the UV radiation.

In an advantageous embodiment of the device according to the invention, in which the valve subdivides the feed line into a first section leading to the ice making device and a second section leading to the further unit, the first and the second section are constructed of UV-transparent and UV-resistant material and the first section and in the radiation region of a first UV source and the second section in the radiation region of a second UV source. This embodiment is characterized by a high structural flexibility. The ice making device can be arranged spatially separated from the other unit and operated independently of each other. If, for example, there is no temporary need for ice, for example for seasonal reasons, the ice making facility can be temporarily shut down without affecting the further unit. This embodiment can be operated energetically favorable.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, wherein the further unit is an outlet, the valve forms the outlet. No further piping is necessary, but the treated, cooled water is discharged directly from the valve, which is located in the radiation area. The required space and the number of parts and connections are therefore reduced.

Preferably, the valve is located upstream of the treatment area. The water is sterilized downstream of the valve, so that germs that are registered in the other unit or the ice making device can not or only to a very limited extent penetrate into the valve. The spread of the germs in any existing dead spaces of the valve is thus at least reduced. The water coming from the supply line has in many cases already been subjected to a sterilization step, for example by adding chlorine, so that the risk of bacterial contamination from this water is less than the risk of retrograde contamination. The latter is effectively reduced with the arrangement of the valve relative to the treatment area according to this embodiment.

A further advantageous embodiment comprises a UV-reflecting layer or a UV reflector for directing the UV radiation. The UV radiation can be directed so that a large part of the water-carrying parts of the device, in particular the ice-making device and the further unit are in the radiation range of the UV lamp. It is also possible to design the UV reflector so that the UV radiation is directed into the interior of the valve. This also makes more effective use of the generated UV radiation and more extensive sterilization even in places otherwise not detected by the radiation range of the UV lamp.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a cooling device with a device according to one of the embodiments described above. The advantages set forth for these embodiments apply to the cooling device as well. In particular, the reflector prevents UV radiation from escaping from the cooling device. Furthermore, there is the advantage that the water which is supplied to the ice generating device, can already be brought to a relatively low temperature, so that the energy required to produce the ice in the ice making device is reduced.

The present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings by way of preferred embodiments. Show it

1 a schematic diagram of a first embodiment of the device according to the invention,

2 a schematic diagram of a cooling device with a second embodiment of the device according to the invention,

3 a schematic diagram of a third embodiment of the device according to the invention,

4 a schematic diagram of a fourth embodiment of the device according to the invention,

5 a schematic diagram of a fifth embodiment of the device according to the invention, and

6 a schematic diagram of a sixth embodiment of the device according to the invention.

This in 1 illustrated first embodiment of the device according to the invention 101 includes an ice maker 12 by means of a supply line 14 Is acted upon with water. This water is in the ice making facility 12 converted into ice, which can be used for example for cooling or preparing drinks. In the supply line 14 is a valve 15 arranged, with the optional water to the ice making device 12 or to another unit 16 can be performed. The flow direction of the water through the device 101 is indicated by the arrows P ₁ . In the example shown, the further unit 16 an outlet 18 over which the water from the device 10 can be discharged. The further unit 16 but can also be designed such that the water is subjected to further treatment steps before delivery, for example, a heat treatment or a softening.

The valve 15 divides the supply line 14 in a first section 20 , the ice-cream maker 12 leads, and into a second section 22 , to the further unit 16 leads. The first and the second section 20 . 22 are at least partially in a treatment area 23 arranged in which a treatment agent 25 is arranged. In the example shown, the water is sterilized by means of UV radiation, which is why the treatment agent 25 as a UV source 26 is executed, so that the treatment area 23 here a radiation area 24 the UV source 26 equivalent. The extent of the radiation area 24 the UV source 26 For example, with the UV source 26 recorded power to be changed. Alternatively, for example, ozone can be generated, with which the water is treated.

The first and the second section 20 . 22 are at least partially made of UV-transparent and UV-resistant material, so that the UV radiation can reach the water, located in the first and in the second section 20 . 22 which is sterilized by the UV radiation.

In the example shown, the device comprises 101 continue a UV reflector 28 that from the UV source 26 generated UV radiation on the one hand to the outlet 18 directs and on the other hand the UV radiation, the second section 22 traversed or missed, back to the second section 22 directs. The beam path is indicated by the arrow P ₂ . The reflector 28 is designed so that the UV radiation the device 101 also through the outlet 18 can not leave.

The feed line 14 can be connected to a water supply network, so that the existing pressure the water the device 101 flow through. Alternatively or additionally, a conveying device, not shown, may be provided, for example, when the water is not under a sufficiently high pressure. A conveyor is necessary, for example, when the water from a reservoir into the device 101 must be promoted, which is at a lower geodetic height than the device 10 located.

In 2 is a second embodiment of the device according to the invention 102 shown in a cooling device 30 is arranged. In this case, the valve includes 15 the further unit 16 , here's the outlet 18 so the second section 22 deleted (cf. 1 ). The feed line 14 has one the UV source 26 surrounding area 32 made of UV-transparent and UV-resistant material, which in the example shown both over the first section 20 as well as the upstream of the valve 15 located part of the supply line 14 extends. The upstream of the valve 15 located part of the supply line 14 indicates the side of the UV source 26 is remote, a UV-reflective layer 34 on which the UV radiation back into the feed line 14 throws. The valve 15 is also made of UV-transparent and UV-resistant material and is located in the radiation area 24 the UV source 26 ,

This in 3 illustrated third embodiment of the device according to the invention 103 includes a first UV source 36 and a second UV source 38 , The first UV source 36 is arranged so that the first section 20 and the ice making facility 12 in their radiation area 24 are located. Similarly, the second UV source 38 arranged so that the second section 22 and the other unit 16 , here the outlet 18 in their radiation area 24 are located.

In 4 is a fourth embodiment of the device according to the invention 104 shown. For the sake of clarity, only the first section 20 the supply line 14 shown. In the first part 20 is a UV cartridge 40 arranged in which the UV source 26 located. The UV cartridge 40 but also in the second section 22 be arranged. The water, which is the UV cartridge 40 flows through, also passes through the radiation area 24 the UV source 26 ,

As well as in 4 is in 5 only the first section 20 the supply line 14 a fifth embodiment of the device according to the invention 105 shown. The first paragraph 20 shows the UV source 26 surrounding area 32 on, which is realized in this embodiment as a U-shaped projection. The UV source 26 surrounding area 32 increases the proportion of water that is in the radiation area 24 the UV source 26 located.

In 6 is a sixth embodiment of the device according to the invention 106 shown in which the valve 15 Made of UV-transparent and UV-resistant material. The valve 15 is as a rotary valve 42 executed, which has a valve body rotatable between two end positions 44 having. The valve body comprises a channel 46 , whose exit planes are inclined by about 90 ° to each other. By turning the valve body 44 can be located upstream of the valve 15 located part of the supply line 14 optionally with the first section 20 or with the second section 22 be brought into fluid communication. The illustrated embodiment of the valve 15 can be manufactured with minimal effort largely free of dead space. Alternatively, the valve 15 but also be designed as a ball or piston valve. To the valve 15 UV-permeable, for example, a fluoropolymer or quartz glass can be used as material.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10 ₁ -10 ₆

contraption

12

Eiserzeugungseinrichtung

14

feed

15

Valve

16

another unit

18

outlet

20

first section

22

second part

23

treatment area

24

radiation range

25

treatment agents

26

UV source

28

UV-reflector

30

cooling device

32

the UV source surrounding section

34

UV-reflective layer

36

first UV source

38

second UV source

40

UV cartridge

42

rotary valve

44

valve body

46

channel

P ₁

Arrow (flow direction of the water)

P ₂

Beam path of UV radiation

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 602004002307 T2 [0002, 0004]
• JP 2003287356 [0004]

Claims (12)

Device for providing sterilized ice for preparing drinks, comprising - an ice making device ( 12 ), - a supply line ( 14 ) for supplying water to the ice making device ( 12 ), - another unit ( 16 ), in particular for discharging the water from the device ( 10 ), and - one in the supply line ( 14 ) upstream of the ice making device ( 12 ) arranged treatment area ( 23 ) with a treatment agent ( 25 ) for sterilizing the supplied water, characterized by a in the supply line ( 14 ) arranged valve ( 15 ), with which the water of the ice making device ( 12 ) or the other unit ( 16 ) can be fed. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the treatment area ( 23 ) a UV source ( 26 ) for generating UV radiation. Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the supply line ( 14 ) one the UV source ( 26 ) surrounding area ( 32 ) made of UV-transparent and UV-resistant material. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the UV source ( 26 ) in a water-permeable UV cartridge ( 40 ) is arranged. Device according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the valve ( 15 ) at least partially constructed of UV-transparent and UV-resistant material and in the radiation area ( 24 ) of the UV source ( 26 ), the radiation area ( 24 ) the treatment area ( 23 ) corresponds. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ice-making device ( 12 ) and / or the further unit ( 16 ) at least partially constructed of UV-transparent and UV-resistant material and in the radiation area ( 24 ) of the UV source ( 26 ) are arranged. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the valve ( 15 ) the supply line ( 14 ) into an ice making facility ( 12 ) leading first section ( 20 ) and one to the further unit ( 16 ) leading second section ( 22 ), characterized in that the first and / or the second section ( 20 . 22 ) made of UV-transparent and UV-resistant material and in the radiation area ( 24 ) of the UV source ( 26 ) are arranged. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the valve ( 15 ) the supply line ( 14 ) into an ice making facility ( 12 ) leading first section ( 20 ) and one to the further unit ( 16 ) leading second section ( 22 ), characterized in that the first and second sections ( 20 . 22 ) are constructed of UV-transparent and UV-resistant material and the first section and in the radiation area ( 24 ) of a first UV source ( 36 ) and the second section in the radiation area ( 24 ) a second UV source ( 38 ) are arranged. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the further unit ( 16 ) an outlet ( 18 ), characterized in that the valve ( 15 ) the outlet ( 18 ). Device according to one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that the valve ( 15 ) upstream of the treatment area ( 23 ) is arranged. Device according to one of claims 2 to 8, characterized by a UV reflector ( 28 ) or a UV-reflecting layer ( 34 ) for directing the UV radiation. Cooling device ( 30 ) with a device ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims.

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