EP1047624B1 - Appareil d'apport de liquide gazeifie et carbonateur a boissons - Google Patents

Appareil d'apport de liquide gazeifie et carbonateur a boissons Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP1047624B1
EP1047624B1 EP99901015A EP99901015A EP1047624B1 EP 1047624 B1 EP1047624 B1 EP 1047624B1 EP 99901015 A EP99901015 A EP 99901015A EP 99901015 A EP99901015 A EP 99901015A EP 1047624 B1 EP1047624 B1 EP 1047624B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
liquid
conduit
chamber
gas
beverage carbonator
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP99901015A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1047624A1 (fr
Inventor
Michael Frederick Scarffe
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Welbilt Halesowen Ltd
Original Assignee
Whitlenge Drink Equipment Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Whitlenge Drink Equipment Ltd filed Critical Whitlenge Drink Equipment Ltd
Publication of EP1047624A1 publication Critical patent/EP1047624A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1047624B1 publication Critical patent/EP1047624B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
    • B67D1/0042—Details of specific parts of the dispensers
    • B67D1/0057—Carbonators
    • B67D1/0069—Details
    • B67D1/0071—Carbonating by injecting CO2 in the liquid
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
    • B67D1/0042—Details of specific parts of the dispensers
    • B67D1/0057—Carbonators

Definitions

  • This invention relates to beverage carbonators.
  • a conventional beverage carbonator comprises a chamber in which the potable liquid is stored, there being provided a space in the chamber above the level of the liquid in which a quantity of pressurised gas, usually carbon dioxide, is maintained, such that a state of equilibrium is achieved whereby the required amount of carbon dioxide is dissolved in the liquid to provide the appropriate degree of carbonation.
  • a quantity of pressurised gas usually carbon dioxide
  • the liquid is agitated by mechanical means such as an impeller, located towards the bottom of the chamber, so that the liquid may circulate freely and evenly around cooling elements located within the chamber, and also so that the degree of carbonation is substantially even throughout the liquid.
  • mechanical means such as an impeller, located towards the bottom of the chamber, so that the liquid may circulate freely and evenly around cooling elements located within the chamber, and also so that the degree of carbonation is substantially even throughout the liquid.
  • a beverage carbonator comprising a circuit through which liquid is continuously circulated, the circuit extending through a dispensing head of the carbonator, from which liquid may be selectively withdrawn from the circuit, and a chamber for receiving the liquid and gas, the chamber having a space above the level of the liquid in which a supply of free gas is maintained, and a conduit, forming part of the circuit, which extends into the chamber and passes through said space to a position below said level through which liquid may be fed into the chamber to enter the chamber below the level, the conduit comprising gas inlet means whereby liquid flowing through the conduit entrains gas from said space.
  • the beverage carbonator comprises cooling means for liquid in the chamber, where an ice bank may be built up around the inside of the chamber wall.
  • the conduit preferably comprises, at or adjacent the gas inlet means, liquid flow restricting means, conveniently in the form of a venturi tube, whereat the area of the conduit through which the liquid passes is reduced, producing a reduction in pressure within the conduit causing gas to be withdrawn from the space above the level of the liquid, and entrained with the liquid flowing through the conduit, and subsequently delivered with the liquid to the chamber at the position below the level.
  • liquid flow restricting means conveniently in the form of a venturi tube
  • the conduit is so arranged that flow of liquid from the conduit produces agitation of the liquid in the chamber, whereby mixing of the gas and liquid in the chamber may be achieved without the need for mechanical stirring means.
  • Preferably additionally means is provided, preferably adjacent to the exit of the conduit, to impart a degree of angular momentum to the liquid flow, which has been found by the applicants to improve the degree of mixing of the gas and liquid within the chamber.
  • the conduit is so directed as to produce a flow of liquid from the conduit which has a tangential component.
  • conduit extends substantially the full depth of the chamber, such that the gas/liquid mixture is emitted at the bottom of the chamber.
  • a removable closure member in the bottom of the chamber, removal of which enables the chamber to be drained, for example during cleaning.
  • the closure member when attached to the chamber, may provide an additional cavity into which a lower part of the conduit may extend, such that in use, the gas/liquid mixture is emitted to the inside of the closure member, with the gas/liquid mixture then rising up through the chamber, causing the required agitation.
  • guide means adapted to guide the gas/liquid mixture rising from the end of the conduit towards the side wall(s) of the chamber, to enable a relatively uniform distribution of gas bubbles to be achieved within the liquid.
  • the guide means is preferably located on or just above the surface of the liquid, and conveniently, is adapted to float on the liquid.
  • the guide means may comprise one or more baffles within the chamber.
  • the guide means preferably comprises a disc having a generally centrally located hole through which the conduit passes, and conveniently further comprises one or more baffles extending below the disc towards the conduit so as to guide generally upwardly moving gas/liquid away from the conduit, towards an underside of the disc, and eventually towards an outer portion of the disc.
  • FIG. 1 a beverage cooler/carbonator generally indicated at 10, comprising an outer side wall 11, separated from an inner side wall 12 by a layer of insulating material 13.
  • the inner side wall 12 defines a chamber 14 in which is received a quantity of potable liquid 15, having an upper level 16.
  • a quantity of gas in this example carbon dioxide, is maintained in a space 17 above the upper level 16, at a pressure at which equilibrium may be achieved between the gas and the liquid, whereby an appropriate degree of carbonation is maintained in the liquid.
  • One or more cooling coils 19 are provided within the chamber 14, whereby an ice bank 20 is built up around the inside of the inner side wall 12.
  • the chamber comprises an outlet 21 a through which carbonated liquid may flow around a circuit 22, which re-enters chamber 14 at inlet 21 b .
  • a dispensing head 42 ( Figure 2) is located on the circuit 22, from which liquid may be drawn in the use of the apparatus.
  • the inlet 21 a is connected to a conduit 23, terminating at an outlet 26 positioned well below the level 16 of the liquid.
  • the conduit 23 comprises a gas inlet 25 in the form of an aperture within the conduit, within the space 17 which is linked to a portion 25 a of restricted flow within the conduit, such as the neck of a venturi tube.
  • the reduced pressure of the liquid at a position adjacent the gas inlet 25 causes gas within the space 17 to be entrained with the liquid flowing through the conduit and transferred to the body of the liquid in the chamber.
  • the conduit, 23 projects into a supplementary chamber 27 provided by a removable cap 24, conveniently attached to the side wall 12 by a screw thread.
  • the outlet 26 of the conduit, and/or a surface of the cap 24 against which liquid exiting the conduit impinges may be formed to produce swirling motion of the liquid as it leaves the conduit, particularly imparting to the liquid a tangential component, in order to provide mixing of the liquid within the conduit, and in particular flow thereof to the outer regions thereof, and impingement against the ice bank.
  • the cap 24 may thus be removed when it is desired to clean the apparatus.
  • a generally disc shaped float 28 conveniently of a plastics material having a density less than that of the gas/liquid mixture (typically carbonated water), which is adapted to slide relative to the conduit 23, so as to follow the level 16 of the liquid.
  • the gas/liquid mixture typically carbonated water
  • the float 28 has a generally flat underside 29, but is provided with a generally conical baffle 30 which in use guides the flow sideways to enhance the liquid circulation, as shown by the arrows in Figure 1.
  • gas bubbles are dispersed generally evenly across the surface of the liquid, and the build up of a foam around a central part of the liquid is removed.
  • Figure 2 shows a flow diagram which may be used in the performance of the invention, wherein pump 44 circulates carbonated liquid from the chamber through the continuous circuit 22, which extends through a dispensing head 42 of the carbonator.
  • pump 44 circulates carbonated liquid from the chamber through the continuous circuit 22, which extends through a dispensing head 42 of the carbonator.
  • a tap of the dispensing head 42 is opened, to allow carbonated liquid to be withdrawn from the circuit, for use.
  • the carbonator comprises means to sense the level of liquid in the chamber, and thus as the level falls valve 49 is operated to allow fresh water to be delivered to the chamber, to maintain the level of liquid in the chamber at an optimum level.
  • the conduit 48 extending to the supply of uncarbonated liquid, is associated with the chamber 12 in such a way as to avail itself of the cooling capability of the chamber, so that, as fresh water enters the chamber, it is at a temperature not significantly higher than the temperature of the liquid in the chamber, and hence there is minimum tendency for carbon dioxide to be freed from solution.
  • cooling means may be provided, to cool water entering the system through the conduit 48.

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Non-Alcoholic Beverages (AREA)
  • Devices For Dispensing Beverages (AREA)

Claims (12)

  1. Saturateur pour boissons comprenant un circuit (22) à travers lequel un liquide est mis en circulation continûment, le circuit s'étendant à travers une tête de distribution (42) du saturateur, à partir de laquelle le liquide peut être extrait du circuit de manière sélective, et une chambre (14) pour recevoir le liquide et le gaz, la chambre comportant un espace (17) au-dessus du niveau du liquide dans lequel une alimentation en gaz libre est maintenue, et un conduit (23), faisant partie du circuit, qui s'étend dans la chambre et traverse ledit espace jusqu'à une position au-dessous dudit niveau à travers lequel du liquide peut être amené dans la chambre pour entrer dans la chambre au-dessous du niveau, le conduit comprenant des moyens d'admission de gaz (25), moyennant quoi le liquide circulant à travers le circuit entraíne le gaz provenant dudit espace.
  2. Saturateur pour boissons selon la revendication 1, comprenant des moyens de refroidissement (19) pour le liquide dans la chambre, moyennant quoi une accumulation de glace (20) se crée autour de l'intérieur de la paroi de la chambre.
  3. Saturateur pour boissons selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le conduit comprend, au niveau des moyens d'admission de gaz ou adjacents à ceux-ci, des moyens de limitation. de débit de liquide (25a) au-niveau desquels la surface du conduit à travers lequel passe le liquide est réduite, produisant une réduction de pression dans le conduit, provoquant l'extraction du gaz de l'espace au-dessus du niveau du liquide et son entraínement avec le liquide circulant à travers le conduit.
  4. Saturateur pour boissons selon la revendication 3, dans lequel les moyens de limitation (25a) ont la forme d'un Venturi.
  5. Saturateur pour boissons selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel des moyens (24) sont prévus pour communiquer un certain degré de moment angulaire à la circulation de liquide provenant du conduit (23).
  6. Saturateur pour boissons selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le conduit (23) s'étend dans la chambre (14) au niveau d'une partie la plus basse de celle-ci.
  7. Saturateur pour boissons selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel la chambre est pourvue d'un élément de fermeture amovible (24) dans la base de la chambre.
  8. Saturateur pour boissons selon la revendication 7, dans lequel l'élément de fermeture réalise une cavité supplémentaire (27) dans laquelle s'étend une partie inférieure du conduit.
  9. Saturateur pour boissons selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, comprenant des moyens de guidage (28) adaptés pour guider le mélange gaz/liquide montant de l'extrémité du conduit vers les parois latérales de la chambre.
  10. Saturateur pour boissons selon la revendication 9, dans lequel les moyens de guidage sont situés sur ou juste au-dessus de la surface du liquide.
  11. Saturateur pour boissons selon la revendication 9 ou la revendication 10, dans lequel les moyens de guidage comprennent un ou plusieurs déflecteurs (30) à l'intérieur de la chambre.
  12. Saturateur pour boissons selon l'une quelconque des revendications 9 à 11, dans lequel les moyens de guidage comprennent un disque (28) comportant un trou généralement situé au centre, à travers lequel passe le conduit, et un ou plusieurs déflecteurs (30) s'étendant au-dessous du disque vers le conduit pour guider généralement vers le haut le gaz/liquide en mouvement hors du conduit.
EP99901015A 1998-01-13 1999-01-12 Appareil d'apport de liquide gazeifie et carbonateur a boissons Expired - Lifetime EP1047624B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GBGB9800532.5A GB9800532D0 (en) 1998-01-13 1998-01-13 Apparatus for enhancing mixing of a liquid and a gas
GB9800532 1998-01-13
PCT/GB1999/000082 WO1999036346A1 (fr) 1998-01-13 1999-01-12 Appareil d'apport de liquide gazeifie et carbonateur a boissons

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1047624A1 EP1047624A1 (fr) 2000-11-02
EP1047624B1 true EP1047624B1 (fr) 2003-10-15

Family

ID=10825122

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP99901015A Expired - Lifetime EP1047624B1 (fr) 1998-01-13 1999-01-12 Appareil d'apport de liquide gazeifie et carbonateur a boissons

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1047624B1 (fr)
AU (1) AU2064999A (fr)
DE (1) DE69912095D1 (fr)
GB (2) GB9800532D0 (fr)
WO (1) WO1999036346A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB9919802D0 (en) 1999-08-21 1999-10-27 Whitlenge Drink Equipment Ltd Cooling system
KR100735914B1 (ko) * 2006-02-22 2007-07-04 주식회사 영원코퍼레이션 물공급 장치

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB302794A (en) * 1927-12-05 1928-12-27 August Nicol Improvements in dispensing apparatus for gaseous drinks
NL7308179A (fr) * 1972-06-20 1973-12-27
FR2191547A5 (fr) * 1972-06-26 1974-02-01 Brosseau Et Fil
US4837039A (en) * 1987-02-09 1989-06-06 Ramon Escola Gallart Process of gasification for obtention of gasified candies
US5124088A (en) * 1990-09-04 1992-06-23 Stumphauzer William C Process and apparatus for rapidly carbonating water

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2334221B (en) 2002-02-20
GB9800532D0 (en) 1998-03-11
GB2334221A (en) 1999-08-18
DE69912095D1 (de) 2003-11-20
AU2064999A (en) 1999-08-02
WO1999036346A1 (fr) 1999-07-22
EP1047624A1 (fr) 2000-11-02

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US5124088A (en) Process and apparatus for rapidly carbonating water
EP1038829B1 (fr) Dispositif de buse pour distributeur de boissons à mélange à la demande
KR101250362B1 (ko) 공기 용해수 생성 장치
KR860002747A (ko) 고정식 혼합 과일 쥬스 디스펜서(Dispenser)
CA2066747C (fr) Systeme de carbonisation de l'eau
US4152409A (en) Method for carrying out air oxidation and for adding fine bubbles to a liquid
US5837213A (en) Process for the desulfurization of sulfurous acid gas-containing waste gas
WO2000025904A1 (fr) Gazeification
US5474717A (en) Apparatus including means for controlling the formation of an ice bank in a carbonator tank
EP1047624B1 (fr) Appareil d'apport de liquide gazeifie et carbonateur a boissons
US5085810A (en) Water carbonator system
US4707308A (en) Apparatus for circulating water
US20070040288A1 (en) Method and apparatus for mixing of two fluids.
US9381476B2 (en) Drink dispenser
US4166790A (en) Single stage process for continuous introduction of oxygen-containing gases into effluent containing activated sludge
EP1465722B1 (fr) Carbonateur a niveau de gazeification cible
JP3540516B2 (ja) マルチバルブ清涼飲料ディスペンサ
US5259997A (en) Apparatus for manufacturing carbonated water
MXPA03011960A (es) Enfriador de bebidas.
CA2485873A1 (fr) Methode et appareil de melange ou d'incorporation d'un premier fluide dans un second
JPH1081398A (ja) 混合飲料供給装置
EP0474835A1 (fr) Appareil et procede permettant de projeter un gaz dans un liquide
EP0481384B1 (fr) Méthode pour la manufacture d'eau carbonatée
JPS6136970B2 (fr)
GB2408467A (en) Apparatus for carbonating liquids

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20000714

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE

GRAG Despatch of communication of intention to grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20010904

GRAG Despatch of communication of intention to grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA

GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

RBV Designated contracting states (corrected)

Designated state(s): BE DE ES FR GB IE SE

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): BE DE ES FR GB IE SE

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20031015

Ref country code: BE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20031015

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 69912095

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20031120

Kind code of ref document: P

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20040112

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20040115

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20040116

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20040126

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20040716

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: MM4A

EN Fr: translation not filed
PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20090107

Year of fee payment: 11

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20100112

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20100112