EP0881887A1

EP0881887A1 - Process and device for the continuous production of soda water or the like and mixing vessel used therein

Info

Publication number: EP0881887A1
Application number: EP97903283A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Klaus-Dieter Heumann; Dave Ramsey
Original assignee: Heumann Klaus-Dieter; Ramsey Dave
Current assignee: Heumann Klaus-Dieter; Ramsey Dave
Priority date: 1996-02-20
Filing date: 1997-02-14
Publication date: 1998-12-09
Also published as: CA2247088A1; WO1997030602A1

Abstract

The invention relates first to a process and a device for the continuous production of soda water or the like by catering firms, canteen and/or the end user. In the process, water is taken from the drinkig water supply to a mixing vessel where CO2 is added to it and the soda water thus produced is extracted downstream of the mixing vessel by opening a water or dispensing tap. The device comprises a mixing vessel, of which the intake is in fluid communication with the drinking water supply and the outlet is connected to a water or dispensing tap and which is connected via a further union to a pressure vessel containing gaseous CO2. Finally the invention concerns a mixing vessel for a device of the invention having a water inlet and outlet and a nozzle for introducing CO2.

Description

Method and device for the continuous production of soda water or soda-like water and the mixing container used

The invention relates to a method and a device for the continuous production of soda water or soda-like water by gastronomic businesses, canteens and / or by the consumer, and to a mixing container which is used in the device according to the invention.

Carbonated beverages are highly valued by large sections of the population for their invigorating prickle. When buying bottled mineral water, lemonades, wheat beers or the like, the carbonic acid has already been added by the bottling plant. For serving in catering establishments, lemonades in particular are also filled into barrel-like beverage containers that have two connections on their top. When installing in the dispensing system of a catering business, the inlet connection is connected to a carbon dioxide source, in particular a C0 ₂ gas bottle, the pressure of which on the one hand provides a solution to the sparkling C0 ₂ in the lemonade and on the other hand provides the necessary pressure to achieve the to press lemonade prepared in this way to a tap connected to the outlet of the container via a connecting hose. By opening this tap, the lemonade enriched with C0 ₂ can then be removed if necessary. This process is used for all beverages served, including beer (where the C0 ₂ pressure is only used to promote the beer) and mineral water.

However, other beverages, especially fruit juices and wines, are not offered in beverage containers of this type, so that a C0 ₂ -containing beverage is used to produce a sparkling mixed drink such as apple juice, orange juice or wine spritzer

Liquid must be added. For this purpose, carbonated Ge mineral water can be used because for reasons of taste, pure soda water is not available in the trade or has so far not been able to be produced by dispensing companies. However, since mineral waters are always bottled from very specific sources, they are only available to a limited extent and are therefore often not cheaper than lemonades. Another cost factor also results from the often relatively long transport from the mineral source to the end user. On the other hand, when it is mixed with fruit juices or wine, the minerals it contains taste completely in the background, so that despite the high cost of using mineral water, in addition to the effervescent effect, no taste improvement can be achieved.

This discrepancy between the economic value of a mineral water used to produce a juice or wine mixed drink and its taste influence on the mixed drink results in the need, which initiates the invention, for a method which can be used by catering establishments, canteens and / or also by the end user for the production of drinkable water enriched with carbon dioxide, in particular for use in fruit juice or wine mix beverages. This is closely linked to the further problem of disclosing a device which allows the method according to the invention to be carried out, and the components according to the invention required for such a device.

For the continuous production of soda water, the invention provides that water is passed from the drinking water network to a mixing tank, where it is mixed with C0 ₂ , and that the soda water formed is removed downstream of the mixing tank by opening a tap or tap. Only tap water and CO ₂ gas are thus used as raw materials for the production of the soda water. Since tap water is available almost free of charge, the costs involved in producing soda water according to the invention in the production of mixed drinks are no longer significant compared to their main constituent, so that the expenses for the CO ₂ - water from a catering establishment for serving such mixed drinks can be reduced to a negligible value. Of course, such soda water can also be drunk unmixed, since it consists of pure and therefore pollutant-free drinking water. The cost advantage compared to commercially available mineral water is even more apparent.

An advantageous development of this method is that the tap water is cleaned of odors and / or flavors before it is enriched with CO ₂ . Tap water is definitely free of any harmful substances. Nevertheless, in some cases there may be secretions from the line system which could be noticed by particularly sensitive palates when drinking in the form of "pure soda water". The cleaning step according to the invention, in particular within an upstream filter, also retains all floating particles , so that there is a particularly clear consistency.

It has proven to be advantageous that the tap water is cooled to a temperature of about 2 ° C. to 10 ° C., preferably 4 ° C. to 6 ° C., before enrichment with CO ₂ . Within this temperature range, especially at about 4 ° C, the solubility of C0 ₂ in water is highest, so that there is a particularly pronounced bubbling effect. In addition, the soda water has an ideal serving temperature when leaving the dispensing system.

The method according to the invention allows the CO ₂ content in the soda water to be varied by adjusting the pressure of the CO ₂ added. Henry's law applies to the dissolution of gases in water, according to which the solubility of the gas at constant temperature is approximately proportional to the partial pressure of the gas above the solution. The partial pressure of this gas and thus its solubility in the water can thus be set at the pressure reduction valve of the C0 ₂ bottle. Another possibility for influencing the C0 ₂ content in the soda water results from the subsequent addition of pure tap water by varying the mixing ratio between soda and pure tap water. Here, too, the effective C0 ₂ content can be changed within wide limits.

The device according to the invention, which permits a continuous production of soda water by catering establishments, by canteens and / or by the end user, comprises a mixing container which is coupled on the flow side to the drinking water network and is connected on the outlet side to a tap or tap, and the is connected via a further connection to a pressure vessel in which CO ₂ gas is contained. The arrangement is such that both the tap water and the CO ₂ gas are offered to the mixing tank to a sufficient extent so that there is constantly CO ₂ -containing water within the mixing tank, which is used for the short-term removal by the water - or tap is available. This enables continuous operation, so that when the soda water is poured out, the host does not have to carry out any further operations in addition to actuating the tap. Since the C0 _{2 is} completely distributed within the mixing container within a very short period of time, the tap can also be kept open for a longer period so that larger quantities of soda water can be drawn off continuously.

So that the CO ₂ gas cannot dissolve through the mixing tank into the drinking water network, the invention provides a check valve with regard to the water pipes upstream of the mixing tank. Since a gas-tight valve is used here, it forms an insurmountable barrier for the CO ₂ gas, so that there is no fear of any pressure loss here.

A particularly favorable arrangement is obtained if upstream of the mixing container and / or the check valve there is a tap water flowed cooling device is arranged. In this way, the water is pre-cooled before it enters the mixing container, which can optionally be thermally insulated, so that the inflowing CO ₂ gas finds a low water temperature and therefore dissolves particularly well. The soda water drawn off also has an optimal drinking temperature.

In addition, a filter can be arranged upstream of the mixing container, the check valve and / or the cooling device. In this way, harmful substances, taste substances and odorous substances as well as any floating particles can be removed completely from the tap water, so that even the highest purity conditions can be met. According to the invention, it is further provided that a filter is used for this purpose which allows dissolved minerals and lime to pass through unhindered, since such substances have a taste-improving effect. However, other components such as chlorine or pathogens are retained. It has proven to be advantageous to use a filter with an absorption chamber for this purpose, in which a silver-enriched activated carbon bed is contained. Such a filter can also have a device which shuts off the water flow when the filter is completely used up, so that the innkeeper immediately recognizes that the filter must now be replaced. In order to be able to carry out this exchange at short notice, it is further provided that a shut-off valve is arranged on the inlet and outlet connections of the filter. These shut-off elements are first closed to change the filter; then the filter connections are unscrewed, a new filter is installed.

The mixing container represents the core of the device according to the invention; it has a water inlet and a water outlet connection and a nozzle for introducing C0 ₂ . In order to prevent an overflow of CO ₂ gas into the water inlet or of water into the gas bottle, check valves can be installed in each case. The mixing container must be designed in such a way that there is always sufficient pressure within it to be able to use C0 ₂ promote displaced water up to the tap or tap. However, the nozzle for introducing C0 ₂ should be designed in such a way that it prevents the formation of a larger C0 ₂ bubble within the mixing container.

Since the water inlet connection or the filter or the cooling device is usually located below the tap, it is advantageous to let the inlet enter the same on the underside of the mixing container housing; for the same reason the removal connection should emerge from the housing at its top. In contrast, the outer connection for the nozzle can be arranged largely as desired, since a flexible plastic hose is usually used anyway as the feed line.

Finally, it corresponds to the teaching of the invention that the container is made of a pressure and corrosion-resistant material, in particular of stainless steel. Such a construction gives the mixing container according to the invention a high life expectancy, so that it can be installed as a fixed component in the drinking water network.

Further details, features and advantages on the basis of the invention result from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention and from the drawing. This shows in:

1 shows a device according to the invention with a structure which is preferably used in large restaurants,

FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of the invention, slightly modified from FIG. 1

Fig. 3 shows an inventive device for a small canteen, and

Fig. 4 shows an inventive device for a private household. Figure 1 contains the piping plan of the dispensing system 1 of a large catering business. Here a variety of drinks are offered, which the host taps from individual tap taps 2-6, which are arranged on the bar bar 7 of the counter 8. In order to be able to provide a corresponding number of beverage containers 9-12 with different types of lemonade and / or beer, there is a continuous shaft 17 between the floor 13 of the ground-level guest room 14 and the ceiling 15 of the cellar room 16 underneath in the area of the counter 8 available. The liquid hoses 18 connected to the tap taps 2-5 are led through this shaft 17 into the cellar room 16, where there is enough space for the actual beverage containers 9-12 to be set up. So that the beverages tapped at the tap taps 2 - 5 have a pleasantly cool temperature, a cooling unit 19 is arranged between the liquid hoses 18 and the beverage containers 9 - 12, which has a plurality of internal cooling coils, each of which has an input connection 20 - 24 and is connected to an output connection 25-29 in such a way that the respective beverage is cooled to a temperature of approximately 4-6 ° C. as it flows through it.

In order to convey the beverage liquids upwards from the containers 9-12 in the basement 16 to the tap taps 2-5 on the bar bar 7, an additional input port 34-37 is provided on each beverage container 9-12 in addition to the outlet port 30-33 . These input connections 34-37 are connected via a manifold 38 to a C0 ₂ bottle 39. At a pressure reduction valve 40, the C0 ₂ pressure can be set, which rests within the beverage container 9-12 above the beverage concerned and this through the outlet connection 30-33 opening at the bottom of the container concerned, through the cooling coil of the cooling unit 19 and the cooling pipe 19 thereon connected liquid hose 18 up to the tap 2 - 5 in question. In the case of low-carbon liquids such as, in particular, lemonades, the beverage is mixed with C0 ₂ at the same time. In such a large dispensing system 1, the additional device according to the invention for the continuous production of soda water can be installed as follows: In the basement 16, a filter 42, in particular a filter of the type with an absorption chamber, in which high-quality , Siiberangereicher.es activated carbon granules is included, connected to securely retain flavors and odors as well as suspended particles. Since the activated carbon is used up over time, this filter must be replaced at longer intervals. So that this exchange can be carried out without difficulty, a shut-off valve 45, 46 is provided at the water inlet 43 and at the water outlet 44.

The outlet of the shut-off valve 46 on the secondary side is connected to the inlet connection 20 of a cooling coil of the cooling unit 19. A plastic hose of the collecting line 18 is connected to the outlet 25 of this cooling spiral, which leads together with the other hoses through the shaft 17 into the base of the counter 8. There, the outer sheath of the collecting line 18 is removed at a point 47, and the hose in question does not run together with the other hoses directly to the tap taps 2-5, but to a check valve 48.

This valve 48 is connected on the secondary side to the water inlet 49 of a mixing container 50. In the mixing container 50 there is thus clear tap water which has a temperature of approximately 4 ° C., so that a maximum solution of CO ₂ can be achieved. For this purpose, a smaller C0 ₂ bottle 52 is connected to the mixing container 50 via a flexible connecting hose 51, which is set up inside the counter base 8. The innkeeper can set the proportion of the added CO ₂ himself via a pressure reducing valve 53. The mixing container 50 also has an outlet connection 54 which is connected to the tap 6 by a connecting hose. Within the mixing container 50 there is therefore always carbonated soda water with an optimal temperature of about 5 ° C, which can be tapped if necessary by opening the tap 6. As a result of the check valve 58, the C0 ₂ cannot spread into the water supply line 18, 19, 41.

Since the C0 ₂ outlet nozzle 56 present in the mixing container 50 has a very minimal opening, hardly any liquid can escape even when the OO ₂ bottle 52 is replaced, so that an additional shut-off device is not necessary here.

An arrangement which differs only slightly from this is shown in FIG. 2. The parts of the dispensing system 1 'which are already known from the prior art are completely identical to the system 1 according to FIG. 1. Identical parts are therefore provided with identical reference numerals.

1 is also completely unchanged according to the arrangement according to FIG. 1, the mixing container 50 according to the invention and its piping with respect to the water supply connection 49 and the drain connection 54. The only difference compared to FIG. 1 is that this is connected to the nozzle connection 46 a hose 51 supplied CO ₂ gas is not removed from a CO ₂ bottle but also from the CO ₂ bottle 39 'set up in the cellar 16. For this purpose, the hose 51 is extended compared to the arrangement according to FIG. 1 and, together with the collecting line 18, possibly as part of it, is laid through the shaft 17 into the basement 16 and there up to a second pressure reducing valve 57 of the gas bottle 39 ' . This has the advantage that the CO ₂ pressure for bubbling the tap water in the mixing container 50 can be set independently of the CO ₂ pressure within the pressure line 38. While a pressure of approximately 4 bar is usually used for pressing the beverages out of the beverage containers 9-12, the pressure reduction valve 57, an increased pressure of up to 7 bar can be set, so that the CO ₂ gas is added to an increased extent within the mixing container 50.

A further embodiment of the invention is described in FIG. 3 on the basis of a dispensing system 61 for a small canteen or a snack bar. The counter 62 has a sink 63 for cleaning the glasses and / or other dishes used. A tap 64, which is connected to the drinking water network 65, serves as the inlet for the sink 63.

To connect the system according to the invention for the continuous production of soda water, a pipe branch 67 is inserted into the water inlet pipe 66 of the tap 64, the branch 68 of which can be closed by means of a shut-off valve 69. The inlet 70 of a filter 71, in particular an activated carbon filter enriched with silver, is connected to the downstream connection of this shut-off valve 69, followed by a further shut-off valve 72, so that the filter 71 after consumption by closing the shut-off valves 69, 72 can be replaced.

The filtered 71 water then passes into a cooling coil 73, where it is cooled to a temperature of approximately 2-10 ° C. The cooled water flows through a check valve 74 into a mixing container 75, which can be identical to the mixing container 50 of the dispensing system 1. The cleaned and cooled tap water contained in the mixing container 75 is then mixed with C0 ₂ . For this purpose, a C0 ₂ bottle 76 is provided with a pressure reduction valve 77, which is connected via a flexible hose 78 to a nozzle connection 79 of the mixing container 75. By setting 77 of the C0 ₂ pressure within the hose 78, the proportion of C0 ₂ in the mixing container 75 can be influenced.

A pipe 81 leads from the drain connection 80 of the mixing container 75 to a tap 82 which is installed above the counter 72. If a canteen user or guest of the snack bar orders a carbonated mixed drink, the landlord first pours the necessary amount of fruit juice or wine into a glass and then fills it with chilled soda water from tap 82. The resulting mixed drink does not differ in taste from any corresponding drink which has been produced using commercially available mineral water.

FIG. 4 shows a further embodiment of the invention which is suitable for private households and is represented by the water installation 91 inside a kitchen sink 92. In the vicinity of the sink 91 there is a tap 94 with a mixer 95 for cold and hot water. This mixer tap 95 is connected via a corner valve 96 to the hot water supply line of the house and via a further corner valve 97 to the network for cold tap water.

In addition to the tap 94 for cold and hot water, a further tap 98 is arranged in the vicinity of the sink 93, from which soda water can be removed. For this purpose, the tap water connection 97 is connected via a further pipe 100 and a shut-off valve 101 to a filter 102, in particular of the type with a filling of active carbon enriched with silver. A further shut-off valve 103 follows downstream of the filter 102 and can be closed together with the valve 101 in order to replace the filter 102 after it has been used.

A pipe branch 104 is inserted at the outlet connection of the shut-off valve 103. An output connection of the same leads to the mixer tap 105 of the soda water tap 98, so that when a fitting unit 106 of the mixer tap 105 is opened, filtered tap water flows out of the tap 98, which can be used, for example, to supply small children or the elderly that boiling is no longer necessary. A further connection of the pipe branch 104 is connected via an intermediate check valve 107 to the inlet 108 of a mixing container 109, which can be structurally identical to the mixing containers 50, 75. As in the embodiments according to 1 and 2, a C0 ₂ bottle 112 with a pressure reducing valve 113 is connected to a connection 110 of the mixing container 109 opening into an inner nozzle via a flexible connecting hose 111. At the pressure reduction valve 113, the CO ₂ pressure can be set once when the bottle 112 is installed and then remains unchanged.

The drain connection 114 of the mixing container 109 is connected via a further water line 115 to the other connection of the mixer tap 105, so that cleaned tap water mixed with C0 ₂ can be removed by opening the fitting 116 on the soda water tap 98. The fittings 106, 116 in the mixer tap 105 allow the proportion of CO ₂ in the soda water to be set so that each family member can choose between still and sparkling soda water according to their taste.

A cooling device is in accordance with the arrangement. Figure 4 is not provided, but could also be installed between the shut-off valve 103 and the branch 104.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. Process for the continuous production of soda water or soda-like water by catering establishments (Fig. 1), canteens

(Fig. 2) and / or by the end user (Fig. 3), characterized in that water is passed from the drinking water network (41; 65; 97) to a mixing tank (50; 75; 109), where it is mixed with CO2 and that the resulting soda water downstream of the mixing container (50; 75; 109) by opening a water (98) or

Tap (6; 82) is removed.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the tap water is cleaned with CO2 from odors and / or flavors (42; 71; 102).

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the tap water is cooled before enriching with CO2 to a temperature of about 2 ° C to 10 ° C (19; 73).

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the proportion of CO2 in the soda water is adjusted by regulating (53; 77; 113) the pressure of the added CO2.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the proportion of CO2 in the soda water is adjusted by subsequent admixing (105) of pure tap water in a suitable mixing ratio.

6. Device (1; 61; 91) for the continuous production of soda water or soda-like water by catering establishments (Fig. 1), Canteens (Fig. 2) and / or by the end user (Fig. 3), characterized by a mixing container (50; 75; 109), the inlet side (49; 108) fluidly coupled with the drinking water network (41; 65; 97) and the output side (54; 80; 114) is connected to a water tap (98) or tap (6; 82), and the one via another

Connection (56; 79; 110) is connected to a pressure vessel (52; 76; 1 12) in which CO 2 gas is contained.

7. The device according to claim 6, characterized in that a check valve (48, 74; 107) is arranged upstream of the mixing container (50; 75; 109).

8. The device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that upstream of the mixing container (50; 75; 109) and / or the check valve (48; 74; 107) one flowed through by the tap water

Cooling device (19; 73) is arranged.

9. Device according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that upstream of the mixing container (50; 75; 109), the check valve (48; 74; 107) and / or the cooling device (19; 73) a filter (42; 71; 102) is arranged.

10. The device according to claim 9, characterized in that on the inlet (43; 70) and outlet connections (44) of the filter (42; 71; 102) each have a shut-off valve (46; 72; 103) is arranged.

1 1. mixing container (50; 75; 109) for a device according to one of claims 6 to 10, characterized by a Wasserzu- (49; 108) and a water outlet (54; 80; 1 14) and a nozzle (56; 79 ; 1 10) for introducing CO2.

12. Mixing container according to claim 11, characterized in that the water inlet connection (49; 108) on the underside of the housing and the outlet connection (54; 80; 114) is arranged on the top of the housing.

13. Mixing container according to claim 12, characterized in that the CO2 connection (56; 79; 110) is arranged in the container jacket.

14. Mixing container according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the container (50; 75; 109) is made of a pressure and corrosion-resistant material, in particular stainless steel.