EP1235637A2

EP1235637A2 - Carbonating device

Info

Publication number: EP1235637A2
Application number: EP00987365A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Rainer Kiefer
Original assignee: Soda Club CO2 SA
Current assignee: Soda Club CO2 SA
Priority date: 1999-12-11
Filing date: 2000-12-07
Publication date: 2002-09-04
Anticipated expiration: 2020-12-07
Also published as: ES2204739T3; DE50003764D1; WO2001041907A3; US6742772B2; WO2001041907A2; DK1235637T3; AU2363401A; US20030075813A1; DE19959770A1; EP1235637B1; PT1235637E; ATE249874T1; TR200302188T4

Abstract

The invention relates to a carbonating device for charging a liquid with a pressurized gas. Carbonating devices of this type are generally used for adding carbon dioxide or CO2 to tap water or so-called still water. According to the invention, the pivotal filling device can be locked into a so-called pivotal position in a manner that makes the inventive carbonating device easier to handle than commercially available carbonating devices. The invention provides that the pivotal filling device can be firstly brought into the pivotal position and locked in place by using one hand. Afterwards, the water bottle can be clamped or screwed onto the filling device by using both hands. Together with the water bottle, the filling device is then released from its locked position and placed into the so-called filling position.

Description

Sprudler

The present invention relates to a bubbler for gassing a liquid with a pressurized gas. Such bubblers are usually used to add tap water or so-called still water with carbon dioxide or C0 _2. By using such a bubbler, especially in areas where the tap water has a high drinking water quality, the laborious carrying of beverage crates is severely restricted. In the meantime, appropriate additives such as syrups are also available on the market, so that the most varied non-alcoholic drinks can be produced and carbonated with the help of the bubbler

The aerators generally have a filling device which can be connected in a sealed manner to a vessel containing the liquid, the filling device having an filling valve and actuating elements therefor with which the connection between the interior of the vessel and the section of the filling device which is under pressure can be established To make water a bubbly, carbonated drink, a water-filled vessel is sealed to the emptying device. The actuation elements then open the filling valve and the water-filled vessel is pressurized in a carbon dioxide atmosphere. Of course, connecting one with carbon dioxide filled pressure tank to the bubbler necessary The solubility of carbon dioxide in water is relatively high and increases linearly with the pressure with increasing pressure at room temperature at low pressures up to about 10 bar At room temperature and about 4 bar pressure, for example, about 4 normal liters of CO ₂ gas dissolve in one liter of water (normal cylinder stands for a gas volume of 1,000 cm ³ under so-called normal conditions, i.e. at room temperature and ambient pressure) in the water, decomposes when the pressure acting on water and C0 _2, wherein the C0 ₂ gases out of the water and the well-known carbonated beverages of beads of gas bubbles causes Such bubbly are now available in large numbers on the market. Despite the many undisputed advantages of such bubblers, the usual bubblers still have a number of disadvantages.

The devices available on the market generally have a housing in which a corresponding water bottle can be placed. In addition, the filling device can often be pivoted in order to be able to establish the connection to a bottle neck in a pivoting state and then to pivot the bottle towards the device, so that in this filling position it is possible to fill the bottles with carbon dioxide. However, this pivotable filling device has the disadvantage that it is difficult to handle. So the filling device must be brought into the pivoting position with one hand and the water bottle must be applied to the filling device with the other hand. During this screwing or clamping process of the water bottle onto the filling device, it is necessary to leave the filling device in the pivoted position, so that one hand of the user must hold the filling device continuously. However, connecting or releasing the water bottle to the filling device is often difficult to do with the other hand alone.

The present invention is therefore based on the object of providing a bubbler which is easier to handle than the bubblers customary on the market.

This object is achieved in that the pivotable filling device can be locked in the first position, the so-called pivot position. This makes it possible to first bring the swiveling filling device into the first position and lock it with one hand. The water bottle can then be clamped or screwed onto the filling device with the help of both hands. Only then is the filling device, including the water bottle, released again and brought into the second position, the so-called filling position.

A particularly preferred embodiment provides that the filling device is preferably spring-loaded in the second position. This ensures that the user always brings the swiveling filling device fully into the first position, since it only engages there. Accidental swiveling back of the filling device while the user wants to connect the water bottle to the filling device is therefore excluded. A particularly advantageous embodiment of the present invention provides that at least one device is provided which prevents the actuation of the actuating elements of the valve in the first position of the filling device and / or in the second position of the filling device prevents or connects the vessel with or from the Prevention of emptying device These two measures, which can be implemented either selectively or in combination with one another, are particularly advantageous for safety reasons The second measure that in the second position of the filling device prevents or connects the vessel with or from the filling device is prevented r that it is not possible for the water bottle to be accidentally detached from the filling device during gassing

The commercially available aerators also generally have a jerk space, which is used to hold a pressure vessel, e.g. a gas bottle, in which the gas to be dissolved in the liquid is stored under pressure.For optical and sometimes safety reasons, the jerk space is with a back part closed However, since the pressure container is to be changed by the user if necessary, it is essential that the user has access to the back space when necessary. Therefore, the back part of the aerators which are commercially available can be removed from the back space since the back parts of the known ones Bubbler generally manufactured by injection molding with the help of a simple tool, the removal of the back part from the bubbler is often very difficult. So there are bubblers in which the back part has to be deformed with one hand in order to be able to detach it from the bubbler. This is usually only possible with great effort Lich

The usability of the bubbler according to the invention can therefore be further improved in that the back space, which is used to hold a pressure vessel in which the gas to be dissolved in the liquid is stored under pressure, can be closed by a back part with the aid of a locking device, the The locking device has a movable part which is fastened to the back part and the movable part has a first position in which the locking device is closed and a second position in which the locking device is open, the locking device preferably not in the first position is biased As a result, the back part in front of the user can now be detached from the back space very easily. To do this, the user must move the moving part from the first position to the second position. Then the back part can be detached from the bubbler. After changing the pressure container, the back part is then placed again on the bubbler or the back space and the locking device is moved from the second position to the first position. The fact that the locking device is not biased into the first position ensures that the locking device can first be brought into the second position and then the back part can be removed without the locking device having to be held in the second position.

Preferably, the movable part of the locking device is essentially a bolt or slide which, in the locked position, engages behind a wall or in the floor of the rear area.

It is self-evident that the locking device described can also be used in bubblers which has no pivotable part of the filling device which can be locked in the first position.

Another disadvantage of the known bubbler is that mostly relief or pressure relief valves are provided which are intended to lower the internal pressure in the vessel when the vessel or water bottle is released from the filling device. For this purpose, the pressure built up over the liquid is suddenly released to the environment. Especially when the aerator is not only used to enrich carbonated water, but also

Syrups are added, the fumigation of the liquid can lead to a not inconsiderable foaming. If the blow-off valve is now opened when the vessel is detached from the filling device, a gas-liquid mixture escapes to the outside. So that the user is not splashed, the blow-off valves are generally arranged in such a way that they direct the excess pressure into a functional space within the aerator. Since this functional space is difficult to access, it is usually difficult for the user to clean it, so that prolonged use of the aerator, in particular for the fumigation of liquids containing syrups, can lead to the formation of mold. Because the functional space is difficult to access and cannot be viewed from the outside, an unsanitary atmosphere can rarely develop in the functional space. Even if this has no effect on the quality of the fumigated drink, this fact is undesirable. _ _

A particularly expedient embodiment of the present invention therefore provides that the bubbler has at least one blow-off valve which, when the vessel is connected to the filling device, can connect the interior of the vessel to the outside environment, at least one blow-off valve at the transition of the filling device opens from the first position to the second position. An embodiment in which at least one blow-off valve is actuated by moving baffles during the transition of the filling device from the first into the second position is particularly expedient. This makes it possible to mount the valves firmly, so that the valves are less prone to failure and the position of the valve outlet is clearly defined. Preferably, at least one blow-off valve is at the same time an overpressure valve which opens automatically when the internal pressure in the vessel rises above a predetermined value. This can save an additional pressure relief valve.

For safety reasons, it is nevertheless expedient that at least two pressure relief valves are provided, so that if one pressure relief valve fails, a second one still prevents the otherwise bursting of the vessel.

An embodiment is particularly preferred in which at least two pressure relief valves are opened during the transition of the filling device from the first into the second position, so that they serve as blow-off valves. This ensures that the pressure relief valves are opened and closed at least once during each gassing process, so that sticking of the pressure relief valves, which often occurs in valves that have not been used for a long time, is effectively prevented.

An expedient embodiment of the present invention provides that the pressure relief valves are arranged in such a way that the interior of the vessel can be connected to the rear space of the device. This ensures that any gas-liquid mixture in the vessel is blown off into the easily accessible rear area, so that the bubbler can be easily cleaned and any contamination becomes apparent when the pressure vessel is changed at the latest.

An embodiment is particularly favorable in which a collecting device is provided for the gas-liquid mixture which may emerge from the blow-off or pressure relief valves. This ensures that any contamination occurs at a previously defined location. Is this place visible to the user, e.g. B. if the fall arrester within , ,

of the space provided for the pressure bottle, the bubbler is very easy to clean by regularly cleaning the collecting device.

For special applications, it can be advantageous if the collecting device can be removed from the bubbler. The collecting device can thus be easily removed and emptied, particularly in the case of frequent fumigation of syrup-containing liquids, in which there is increased foaming and thus an increased amount of liquid escapes from the blow-off or pressure relief valve. In particular if the bubbler is to be moved frequently, it is additionally advantageous if the collecting device is essentially secured against horizontal movement. This ensures that even if the bubbler is temporarily held or stored in a non-vertical position, the catcher does not fall around in the bubbler. An embodiment is particularly space-saving in which a separate collecting device is provided for each blow-off or pressure relief valve.

It goes without saying that the arrangement of the blow-off valves or pressure relief valves described can, if appropriate, also be used with the collecting device in aerators, which has no pivotable part of the filling device, which can be locked in the first position. The arrangement described results in better handling both on its own and in combination with the snap-in pivotable filling device and / or the locking device of the back part.

Sufficiently pressure-resistant plastic bottles are generally used as the vessel or water container. However, these plastic bottles have the disadvantage that they show material fatigue in long use, which can progress very quickly, especially when cleaning is too hot. The plastic bottle then loses its compressive strength, so that the plastic bottle can burst during gassing.

In order to increase the bursting safety of the vessels used, a further improved embodiment provides that a rupture disk or a predetermined breaking part is provided in the volume which is formed by the vessel and parts of the filling device in the sealed state. If the pressure in the vessel rises too much during the gassing process so that the vessel threatens to burst, the predetermined breaking point or the rupture disk serves to provide a sudden escape of the excess pressure at a controlled point. In normal use, the pressure relief valves take on this task. However, if these are restricted in their function, for example due to material fatigue, the rupture disc or the predetermined breaking point serves as additional security. There is then a possibility that the vessel has a predetermined breaking point, which is preferably arranged in the region of the neck of the vessel in the vicinity of the opening. This embodiment has the advantage that, if this additional safety device is necessary, only the vessel has to be replaced If the predetermined breaking point is arranged near the neck of the vessel, it is ensured that the liquid does not leak when the vessel is broken

Alternative embodiments provide that a rupture disc is provided in the connecting part or the connecting hose between the filling device and the blow-off or pressure relief valve or in the bottom of the filling device. Another embodiment of the bubbler according to the invention provides that the filling device has a nozzle which is used during the gassing of the liquid protrudes into the vessel, whereby the nozzle or at least the nozzle head can be removed from the filling device. It has been shown that the rate of gassing also depends on the shape of the nozzle head. The removable nozzle or the removable nozzle head makes it possible to use a nozzle or nozzle head to be exchanged if a different geometry of the nozzle head is desirable. In addition, if there are blockages in the area of the nozzle head during use, it can be replaced inexpensively, without the entire bubbler or part of the bubbler wiping off with the vessel is tightly connectable, must be replaced

It goes without saying that the improvements described (snap-in, pivotable filling device, locking device for the back part, arrangement of the blow-off valves or pressure relief valves, optionally with the collecting device, rupture disk or predetermined breaking disk and removable nozzle or nozzle head) in each case bring about improved handling of the aerator preferably are, however, embodiments that implement as many of the improvements described as possible

Further advantages, features and application possibilities of the present invention will become clear from the following description of a preferred embodiment and the associated figures

Show it

1 shows a view of the bubbler in section, FIG. 2 shows a view of the bubbler in partial section,

3a and 3b, the pivotable part of the filling device, 4 the part of the filling device with the movable backdrops,

5 shows a detail of the bubbler with a vessel with a predetermined breaking point,

6 shows a section of the bubbler with a rupture disk in the connecting line between the interior of the vessel and the blow-off valve

Fig. 7 shows a detail of the bubbler with a rupture disc in the bottom of the filling device.

A bubbler according to the invention is shown in FIG. 1. A suitable vessel 1, which contains the liquid to be fumigated, is connected in a sealed manner to the filling device 3. The bubbler has a rear space 8 in which a pressure vessel 9 is arranged. A valve is provided on the pressure vessel 9 and can be opened or closed by the actuation button 2. To pressurize the liquid, just press the button 2. Thereupon gas flows from the pressure vessel 9 into the vessel 1 via the nozzle 18. The pressure increases and carbon dioxide dissolves in the liquid. The gassing process is ended by releasing the operating button 2. It can be clearly seen that the nozzle 18 has a removable nozzle head 19. In addition, the rear space 8 is closed by a back part 10, which has a locking device 11. This locking device 11 consists of a movable part 11 attached to the back part 10, which engages in the locked position in the base of the bubbler.

Fig. 2 shows a plan view of the bubbler, the rear area being shown in section. The blow-off or pressure relief valve 12, which connects the interior of the vessel 1 to the rear space 8, can be clearly seen. If the pressure in the vessel increases too much, the blow-off valve opens and the excess pressure is blown into the rear space 12. Under certain circumstances, liquid can escape from the blow-off valve, as already described above. A collecting device 14 is therefore provided in the rear space below the blow-off valve 12. Any escaping liquid drips into the collecting device 14 and, if necessary, can be removed from the bubbler together with the collecting device 14.

The locking device 11 can be clearly seen in FIG. 2. The back part 10 can be removed from the rear space when the locking device 11 is moved into the open position. When closing the back space with the back part, the procedure is reversed. , ,

The pivotable part of the filling device 3 is shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b. The filling device has two positions. The pivot position 4, in which the filling device and optionally the vessel is pivoted from the vertical, and the second position 5, in which the filling device and vessel are in a vertical position. The filling device is pivotally mounted about the axis 6 by means of a pin. The movable part of the filling device has at least one projection which engages in the holes 7 in the pivoting position. This ensures that the filling device remains in the pivoting position or engages.

Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of a part which is pivoted together with the filling device. The scenes 13 are arranged so that they press on the actuating device of the blow-off valves during the pivoting process, so that the blow-off valves are open in the pivoting position. The movable backdrops ensure that the blow-off valves are closed in the vertical position of the filling device.

FIG. 5 shows a section of the bubbler, in which the vessel 1 can be seen, which is connected to the filling device 3. The vessel 1 has a predetermined breaking point 15 in the vicinity of the inlet opening, which is intended to break open in the event of an overpressure in the interior of the vessel.

An alternative embodiment of such a predetermined breaking point is shown in FIG. 6. Here, a rupture disk 16 is arranged in the connecting hose between the interior of the vessel and blow-off valves, which should burst if the pressure is too high.

Alternatively, the rupture disk 16 can also be arranged in the bottom 17 of the filling device, as shown in FIG. 7.

Even if the features shown solve the task according to the invention individually, they can of course be combined in any way.

The present invention thus has a number of advantages over the existing bubblers.

Claims

, .Patent claims

1. bubbler for gassing a liquid with a pressurized gas, with a filling device (3) which can be connected in a sealed manner to a vessel (1) containing the liquid, the filling device (3) being a filling valve and

Actuating elements (2) for this purpose, with which the connection between the interior of the vessel and the pressurized section of the filling device can be established, characterized in that at least part of the filling device (3) can be pivoted, so that in a first position (4) Filling device that can be connected to the vessel (1) and in a second position (5) of the filling device

Connection between the interior of the vessel (1) and the pressurized section of the filling device can be established, the filling device (3) being latchable in the first position (4).

2. bubbler according to claim 1, characterized in that the filling device (3) in the second position (5), preferably resilient, is biased.

3. bubbler according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one device is provided which in the first position (4) of the filling device (3) prevents the actuation of the actuating elements (2) of the valve and / or in the second Position (5) of the filling device (3) prevents the connection or detachment of the vessel (1) with or from the filling device (3).

4. bubbler according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the device has a rear space (8) for receiving a pressure vessel (9), in which the gas to be dissolved in the liquid is stored under pressure, and the rear space ( 8) can be closed by a back part (10) with the aid of a locking device (11), the locking device (11) being a movable one

Part which is attached to the back part (10), and the movable part has a first position in which the locking device (11) is closed and a second position in which the locking device (11) is open, wherein the Locking device is preferably not biased into the first position.

5. bubbler according to claim 4, characterized in that the movable part of the

Locking device (11) is essentially a bolt or slide which, in the locked position, engages behind a wall or in the floor of the rear area.

6. bubbler according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the bubbler has at least one blow-off valve (12) which, when the vessel (1) is connected to the filling device (3), the interior of the vessel (1) can connect to the external environment, and a blow-off device is provided which opens at least one blow-off valve (12) when the filling device passes from the first position (4) to the second position (5), at least one blow-off valve (12) being fixedly mounted in the device 12) during the transition of the filling device (3) from the first (4) to the second position (5) by moving scenes (13).

7. bubbler according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that at least two pressure relief valves are provided which are opened at the transition of the filling device (3) from the first (4) to the second position (5).

8. bubbler according to claim 7, characterized in that the pressure relief valves are arranged such that through them the interior of the vessel (1) with the rear space (8) of the bubbler can be connected.

9. bubbler according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that a collecting device (14) is provided for the gas-liquid mixture emerging from the blow-off or pressure relief valves (12).

10. bubbler according to claim 9, characterized in that the collecting device (14) can be removed.

11. bubbler according to one of claims 9 to 10, characterized in that for each blow-off or pressure relief valve (12) a separate collecting device (14) is provided.

12. bubbler according to one of claims 10 or 11, characterized in that the collecting device (14) is secured against horizontal movement substantially.

13. bubbler according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that in the volume which from the vessel (1) and parts of the filling device (3) in the sealed

State is formed, a rupture disc (16) or a predetermined breaking point (15) is provided.

14. Vessel, preferably in the form of a bottle, for use in a bubbler according to claim 13, characterized in that the vessel (1) has a predetermined breaking point (15).

15. A vessel according to claim 14, characterized in that the predetermined breaking point (15) is arranged in the region of the neck of the vessel in the vicinity of the filling opening.

16. bubbler according to claim 13, characterized in that a rupture disc (16) is provided in the connecting part or the connecting hose between the filling device (3) and blow-off or pressure relief valve (12).

17. bubbler according to claim 13, characterized in that a rupture disc (16) in the bottom (17) of the filling device (3) is provided.

18. Bubbler according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the filling device (3) has a nozzle (18) which projects into the vessel (1) during the gassing of the liquid, the nozzle (18) or a nozzle head (19) is removable.

19. bubbler according to one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that carbon dioxide is provided as the gas.