EP2704981B1 - Device for emptying a container with a liquid - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a device for emptying a container with a particular intended for consumption liquid according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

A particular application of the emptying device according to the invention is the emptying of a bottle filled with champagne after a bottle fermentation. Nevertheless, the emptying device according to the invention is generally intended for emptying a container which is filled with a liquid, for example a liquid intended for consumption.

In the bottle fermentation of sparkling wine settle in the bottle from solids, which must be removed after the fermentation process. For this purpose, the so-called Transvasierverfahren is known. This means that the sparkling wine is emptied from the bottle after fermentation to filter off the unwanted solids. In the Transvasierverfahren so far CO ₂ or another compressed gas such as nitrogen or sterile air is entered into the bottle, so that it creates an overpressure. Due to this pressure, the champagne is squeezed out of the bottle.

However, the use of CO ₂ is undesirable because it dissolves in the contact with the sparkling wine in this. In a laboratory investigation of the sparkling wine with regard to the CO _{2 contained} is then not clear whether the sparkling wine is actually produced by a bottle fermentation sparkling wine. Because it is chemically detectable if the CO _{2 is} not caused by fermentation, but has a different source of production. It may then be concluded that it is not sparkling wine, but sparkling wine with added CO ₂ . But the other compressed gases are not readily acceptable.

The US 2009/0 095 776 A1 shows a device for emptying a bottle. The device has a plug as an attachment, which is inserted into the upper opening of the bottle in the manner of a cork. In this plug is located next to a gas supply tube for a balloon, an additional, continuous tube. By inflating the balloon, the wine in the bottle is squeezed out through this tube. Furthermore, a flexible rod is angeordet to the plug. This allows liquid in the lower region to flow past it as the balloon inflates.

The FR 1 150 289 A shows a method for emptying and for filling a container with a liquid. To empty a tube is inserted from above into the container filled with the liquid, which is surrounded by a balloon. To empty the container, this balloon is inflated so that thereby the liquid is successively forced out. The liquid flows through a tap, which is located in the bottom area of the container. To fill the empty container, liquid can be supplied via the tap located in the bottom region of the container. As a result, the balloon inflated in the initial state is folded back into the initial position, in that the air in the balloon escapes successively over the tube.

The US 3 306 503 A shows an apparatus and a method for emptying a container in the manner of a bottle. For this purpose, a pipe is inserted through the opening of the container in this. The tube is surrounded by an inflatable bladder. To empty the container air is supplied through the tube of the bubble, so that it inflates. The liquid in the container is thereby pressed through an opening to the outside, which is located in the bottom region of the container.

The WO 2010/055 057 A1 shows a device of the type specified for emptying a filled with a liquid bottle. For this purpose, a tube is inserted into the bottle, which is surrounded by a balloon. The tube points outside the balloon an opening on. By supplying air, the balloon is inflated. As a result, due to the overpressure prevailing in the bottle, the liquid is forced upwardly through the lower end of the tube where the liquid then exits.

The AT 007 079 U2 shows an irrigation system in which a container is provided, in which there is a closed bubble made of a flexible material. This is supplied via a feed water. At the same time, water which is outside the bubble but within the container is discharged via a pipe. The system works the other way around. The purpose is that you have two different chambers in the form of water reservoirs, which can settle in the one water reservoir, the water so as to improve the quality of the plants when pouring.

The WO 87/06922 A1 shows a container for storing two different liquids without these coming into contact with each other. A field of application are oil freighters, in which the cargo space is to be filled with water after unloading the oil. Another field of application is the transport of liquids in trucks, after the discharge of a liquid of a first type, a liquid of the second kind is to be performed. In this case, a container is provided, which has two openings. The one opening is associated with a bubble. This defines a first chamber, while the space between the outer surface of this bubble and the container defines a chamber.

The invention has for its object to improve the known device for gas-free emptying a container.

The technical solution is characterized by the features of claim 1.

As a result, an effective device for gas-free emptying of liquid from a container, for example of champagne from the bottle after a bottle fermentation is created. The device is characterized in that the liquid can be emptied of gas from the container during the emptying process without contact. The advantage of this device is thus that the liquid after emptying from the container no gas release, gas exchange or gas entry subject. The implementation of the method provides that in the container at least one balloon-like body is introduced. This can be arbitrarily shaped in the initial state. By this balloon-like body is filled after insertion into the container by means of a medium, thereby creating a defined by the balloon-like body interior space within the container. The liquid in the container is affected by this overpressure pressed or pressed through a corresponding opening to the outside. Alternatively, this relative overpressure can also be generated by applying a negative pressure, namely by suction of the liquid. Since the balloon-like body is liquid-tight and gas-tight, the expansion medium contained in this balloon-like body does not come into contact with the liquid. After emptying the liquid from the container, the medium contained in the balloon-like body is pumped out again, so that the emptied balloon-like body can be taken out of the container again and provided for the next emptying process.

The at least one balloon-like body is associated with an elongate carrier, with the help of which the balloon-like body is inserted into the container. This elongated carrier is to be understood in the most general sense. Basically, this carrier is an elongated, narrow structure, which can be easily introduced together with the balloon-like body through the opening of the container into this container. Conversely, the assembly of elongated carrier and balloon-like body can easily pull out of the container again when the emptying process is completed.

The carrier is arranged on a cap. This means that after insertion of the carrier into the container, this cap rests on the container opening and thus creates a liquid-tight and gas-tight seal with the container opening.

The cap has a lateral opening through which the liquid is forced out.

The development according to claim 2 proposes that the balloon-like body is expandable. This means that this balloon-like body expands during filling of the medium in the manner of a balloon and - vice versa - returns to its original shape when escaping or when pumping the medium. For example, when the expandable balloon-like body is filled with air, and after the container is emptied with the liquid, the air supply is opened, the air from the balloon-like body escapes automatically, as if the air is released from a balloon. Because the balloon-like body contracts due to its flexibility and pushes out the air therein. This has the consequence that when inserting the balloon-like body in the container this occupies only a very small volume, so that the insertion process can be performed easily.

Alternatively, it is also conceivable according to claim 3, that the balloon-like body is not expandable.

A preferred embodiment according to claim 4 suggests that the at least one balloon-like body can inflate targeted, in such a way that all liquid contained in the container can be easily extruded from this container. Technically, this can be implemented such that the balloon-like body is profiled accordingly, d. H. that first the profile inflates in the area of the container floor, in order then to move successively towards the container opening. Alternatively, it is also possible that a plurality of balloon-like body are provided, for example, a first balloon-like body in the bottom region of the container, a second balloon-like body in the central region of the container and finally a third balloon-like body in Behältnishalsbereich. These are inflated in turn.

The development according to claim 5 proposes a first embodiment of the carrier in the form of a tube. The basic idea is that the balloon-like body or bodies is / are arranged on a tube, wherein the balloon-like body surrounds this tube. Then, when an expansion medium is supplied to the balloon-like body through the tube, the balloon-like body inflates around the tube. For this purpose, the tube is provided according to the number of balloon-like body with corresponding openings for the exit of the expansion medium. The use of a tube has the advantage that it can be easily inserted into the container together with the balloon-like body.

The development according to claim 6 proposes a second embodiment of the carrier in the form of one or more rods, against which the balloon-like body. Basically, it is also conceivable that the two embodiments tube / rod are combined. The rod is to be understood in the most general sense. It is an elongated structure. In contrast to the tube described above, however, this rod is not inside the balloon-like body, but the rod and the balloon-like body are adjacent. The advantage of this rod is, on the one hand, that the balloon-like body can be easily introduced into the container, since the rod and the balloon-like body, so to speak, form a structural unit. On the other hand, the rod has the advantage that it comes to rest on inflation of the balloon-like body between the outer shell of this balloon-like body and the inner wall of the container. This automatically creates a small gap between the outer shell of the balloon-like body and the inner wall of the container, through which liquid can escape to the container opening. The advantage is thus that even after the complete inflation of the balloon-like body no liquid bubbles can form in the container. The Liquid of these liquid bubbles can easily escape through the container opening through the above-described gap.

The development according to claim 7 proposes various embodiments of the rod. First, it can be bendable, so that it automatically adapts to the respective contours. The rod can also be relatively rigid. In this case, it is shaped so that it is adapted to the inner contour of the container.

Furthermore, the development proposes according to claim 8, that the front end of the rod is connected to the front end of the balloon-like body. For this purpose, a plastic cord or the like. Serve. The advantage is that in the initial position of the balloon-like body assumes a stretched starting position by the fixation at the front end of the rod and thereby can be easily inserted through the container opening into the container. Another advantage is that any remaining liquid bubble must escape in the bottom region of the container towards the carrier.

The development according to claim 9 proposes that the outer surface of the balloon-like body has elevations, in particular knob-shaped elevations. Between these elevations, a gap may form to escape the liquid. For this can - as already described in connection with the rod - automatically adjust a gap between the outer shell of the balloon-like body and the inner wall of the container through which liquid can escape to the container opening. The advantage, therefore, again lies in the fact that even after the complete inflation of the balloon-like body no liquid bubbles can form in the container. The liquid of these liquid bubbles can easily escape through the container opening through the above-described gap. The knob-shaped elevations may be formed, for example, diamond-shaped.

According to the embodiment in claim 10, as the medium for filling the balloon or the body, a gas, in particular air, or a liquid, in particular water, can be used.

Fig. 1 a bis 1 g

eine erste Ausführungsform, wobei verschiedene Verfahrensabschnitte dargestellt sind;

Fig. 2

eine zweite Ausführungsform der Vorrichtung;

Fig. 3a bis 3d

eine dritte Ausführungsform der Vorrichtung unter Verwendung von drei ballonartigen Körpern, ebenfalls in verschiedenen Verfahrensabschnitten;

Fig. 4a bis 4g

eine vierte Ausführungsform, wobei verschiedene Verfahrensabschnitte dargestellt sind.

Embodiments of an emptying device according to the invention for emptying a container filled with liquid after a container fermentation are described below with reference to the drawings. In these shows:

Fig. 1 a to 1 g

a first embodiment, wherein various process sections are shown;

Fig. 2

a second embodiment of the device;

Fig. 3a to 3d

a third embodiment of the device using three balloon-like bodies, also in different process sections;

Fig. 4a to 4g

a fourth embodiment, wherein various process sections are shown.

Fig. 1 a of the first embodiment of the emptying device shows a container 1 with a container opening 2. The emptying device initially consists of a tube 3, which is held in a cap 4. This tube 3 is open on the underside. In addition, it has a feed opening for a medium at the upper end. The cap 4 finally still has a lateral opening 5.

On the tube 3, a flexible body 6 is pushed and fastened with its upper peripheral edge close to the cap 4. This body 6 can be inflated into a kind of balloon.

• Die Entleervorrichtung wird mit dem Rohr 3 voran in das Behältnis 1 durch das Behältnisnöffnung 2 hindurch eingeführt. Das Behältnis 1 ist dabei mit Flüssigkeit 7 gefüllt. Fig. 1b zeigt die Situation, wenn die Entleervorrichtung vollständig eingeführt ist und dabei die Kappe 4 dicht auf der Behältnisöffnung 2 aufliegt.

The operation is as follows:

• The emptying device is introduced with the tube 3 ahead in the container 1 through the container opening 2 through. The container 1 is filled with liquid 7. Fig. 1b shows the situation when the emptying device is fully inserted while the cap 4 rests tightly on the container opening 2.

Fig. 1c shows how the tube 3, an expansion medium 8, in particular air (but also alternatively a hydraulic expansion medium), is supplied. This expansion medium 8 exits from the lower opening of the tube 3 and thereby inflates the body 6 into a balloon-like body 6. This creates a pressure acting on the liquid 7 inside the container 1. This conveys the liquid upwards, so that it can escape via the opening 5 from the container 1. The final situation is in Fig. 1d shown. It shows how the balloon-shaped body 6 completely rests against the inner wall of the container 1 and therefore the liquid 7 has been completely emptied from the container 1.

Subsequently, the emptying device must be pulled out of the container 1 again. For this purpose, a vacuum is applied to the tube 3 and, for example, the cap 4 is moved slightly upwards so that air can flow into the container 1. Since the balloon-shaped body 6 then contracts, it finally rests again tightly against the tube 3, as shown in FIG Fig. 1f is recognizable.

Finally, the entire emptying device can be pulled out of the container 1 ( Fig. 1 g) ,

Fig. 2 shows a somewhat modified embodiment of the balloon-like body 6. Here it is shown that the balloon-like body 6 inflates profiled during filling of the medium, in such a way that first the bottom portion of the container 1 is filled, then the middle Behältnisnbereich and finally the neck region of the Container 1.

Fig. 3a to 3d shows a further modified embodiment of the emptying device. Here, a total of three superposed balloon-shaped body 6 are provided, which are arranged on the tube 3 enveloping this. Each of these three balloon-shaped body 6 is associated with an outlet opening from the tube 3.

In this embodiment, first the lowest balloon-shaped body 6 is inflated ( Fig. 3b ), then the middle balloon-shaped body 6 (FIG. Fig. 3c ) and finally the uppermost balloon-shaped body 6 (FIG. Fig. 3d ). As a result, the liquid 7 is successively pressed upwards in the direction of the opening 5 and exits there.

Fig. 4a to 4d shows a further modified embodiment of the emptying device. The basic principle here is that instead of a tube 3 on the cap 4, a rod 9 is arranged. This rod 9 is in particular made of plastic and is designed as an elongated, flexible structure. In contrast to the tube 3, the rod 9 does not protrude into the balloon-like body 6, but rather the balloon-like body 6 and the rod 9 are located side by side. The front end of the balloon-like body 6 is connected to the front end of the rod 9 via a cord 10 or the like.

Furthermore, in the 4b to 4e recognizable that the upper end of the balloon-like body 6 in the region of the valve opening of the cap 4 bears directly against the inner wall of the formed in this cap 4 axial through-hole. This has the advantage that no gap remains, with which the liquid 7 could come into contact. This training is also applicable to the above-described embodiments.

The basic principle of emptying corresponds to that basic principle, as has already been described above. This means that the rod 9 is introduced with its balloon-like body 6 in the container opening 2 of the container 1 ( Fig. 4a and 4b ). After opening a valve, the balloon-like body 6 is filled with air, so that the liquid 7 is pressed out of the container 1 by the associated displacement effect via the outlet valve and thus exits ( Fig. 4c and 4d ).

Subsequently, the air is discharged from the balloon-like body 6 again. For this purpose, a vacuum is applied to the tube 3 and, for example, the cap 4 is moved slightly upwards so that air can flow into the container 1. Since this balloon-like body 6 is a kind of balloon, it automatically contracts, thereby pushing out the air contained in the balloon-like body 6 ( Fig. 4e ). Finally, then the emptying device can be pulled out of the container 1 and used for a subsequent emptying ( Fig. 4f ).

The advantage of using the above-described rod 9 is that it comes to rest during filling of the balloon-like body 6 with air between the outer surface of this balloon-like body 6 and the inner surface of the container 1 such that along the rod 9 forms a gap. This creates a possibility that all liquid can escape from the container 1, if any liquid bubbles should form, if the balloon-like body 6 should inflate correspondingly unfavorable. This is in the sectional view too Fig. 4d recognizable. In this case, the gap reduces automatically with increasing expansion of the balloon-like body 6. The air gap virtually ensures itself to minimize or eliminate.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

container

2

container opening

3

pipe

4

cap

5

opening

6

Balloon-like body

7

liquid

8th

Expansionamedium

9

Rod

10

line

Claims (10)

1. A device for emptying a container (1) encompassing a container opening in the form of a bottle filled with a liquid (7), which is in particular intended for consumption,
   comprising a top piece for the container opening (2), wherein this top piece encompasses an opening (5), through which the liquid (7) can be discharged from the container (1),
   comprising at least one balloon-like body (6), which is liquid-tight as well as gas-tight with respect to the liquid (7), as well as
   comprising an elongated support, which is assigned to the balloon-like body (6) and which is arranged at the top piece,
   wherein the support, together with the at least one balloon-like body (6), can initially be inserted into the container (1), which is filled with the liquid (7), and wherein the at least one balloon-like body (6) can subsequently be filled and inflated with an expansion medium (8) or fills with an expansion medium (8) and inflates, so that the balloon-like body (6) fills the interior of the container (1) and the liquid (7) can thereby be pressed out of the container (1) with overpressure, wherein
   the top piece is a cap (4), which can be attached to the container opening (2) and which, after being attached to the container opening (2), bears on in a liquid-tight manner as well as in a gas-tight manner,
   that the upper peripheral edge of the balloon-like body (6) is tightly fastened to the cap (4),
   characterised in
   that the lateral opening (5), which is provided in the cap (4), discharges laterally at the balloon-like body (6) for the liquid to escape.
2. The device according to claim 1,
   characterised in
   that the balloon-like body (6) expands in response to supplying the expansion medium (8) and returns back into its initial shape after the expansion medium (8) has escaped.
3. The device according to claim 1,
   characterised in
   that the balloon-like body (6) is not expandable.
4. The device according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in
   that the at least one balloon-like body (6) or the balloon-like body (6) is/are inflatable such that the interior of the container (1) is filled successively from the remote end from the container opening (2) to the container opening (2).
5. The device according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in
   that the support is a pipe (3), on which the at least one balloon-like body (6) is arranged in a liquid-tight manner as well as in a gas-tight manner, and at least partially covers said pipe and thereby rests against said pipe (3) in the basic state, and
   that the pipe encompasses at least one outlet opening for the expansion medium (8), via which the expansion medium (8) supplied to the pipe (3) enters into the balloon-like body (6) and inflates the latter and via which the expansion medium (8) escapes again
6. The device according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 4, characterised in
   that at least one bar (9) is provided as support, against which the balloon-like body (6) rests.
7. The device according to claim 6,
   characterised in
   that the bar (9) is either bendable or is adapted to the inner contour of the container (1) with regard to its longitudinal contour.
8. The device according to claim 6 or 7,
   characterised in
   that the front end of the bar (9), which is to be inserted into the container, is connected to the front end of the balloon-like body (6) by means of a string (10) or by means of a wire or the like.
9. The device according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in
   that the outer surface of the balloon-like body (6) encompasses elevations, in particular burled elevations.
10. The device according to one of the preceding claims,
    characterised in
    that provision is made as expansion medium (8) for filling the balloon-like body (6) for a gas, in particular air, or a liquid, in particular water.

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