EP2921452A1 - Appareil et procédé associé pour distribuer des boissons oxygénées - Google Patents

Appareil et procédé associé pour distribuer des boissons oxygénées Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2921452A1
EP2921452A1 EP15156663.5A EP15156663A EP2921452A1 EP 2921452 A1 EP2921452 A1 EP 2921452A1 EP 15156663 A EP15156663 A EP 15156663A EP 2921452 A1 EP2921452 A1 EP 2921452A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
oxygen
mixing reservoir
water
reservoir
collecting element
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP15156663.5A
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German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Marco Santandrea
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.)
Cillichemie Italiana Srl
Original Assignee
Cillichemie Italiana Srl
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Cillichemie Italiana Srl filed Critical Cillichemie Italiana Srl
Publication of EP2921452A1 publication Critical patent/EP2921452A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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    • 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
    • B67D1/0043—Mixing devices for liquids
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F23/00—Mixing according to the phases to be mixed, e.g. dispersing or emulsifying
    • B01F23/20—Mixing gases with liquids
    • B01F23/23—Mixing gases with liquids by introducing gases into liquid media, e.g. for producing aerated liquids
    • B01F23/231—Mixing gases with liquids by introducing gases into liquid media, e.g. for producing aerated liquids by bubbling
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F23/00—Mixing according to the phases to be mixed, e.g. dispersing or emulsifying
    • B01F23/20—Mixing gases with liquids
    • B01F23/23—Mixing gases with liquids by introducing gases into liquid media, e.g. for producing aerated liquids
    • B01F23/236—Mixing gases with liquids by introducing gases into liquid media, e.g. for producing aerated liquids specially adapted for aerating or carbonating beverages
    • B01F23/2362—Mixing gases with liquids by introducing gases into liquid media, e.g. for producing aerated liquids specially adapted for aerating or carbonating beverages for aerating or carbonating within receptacles or tanks, e.g. distribution machines
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F23/00—Mixing according to the phases to be mixed, e.g. dispersing or emulsifying
    • B01F23/20—Mixing gases with liquids
    • B01F23/23—Mixing gases with liquids by introducing gases into liquid media, e.g. for producing aerated liquids
    • B01F23/237—Mixing gases with liquids by introducing gases into liquid media, e.g. for producing aerated liquids characterised by the physical or chemical properties of gases or vapours introduced in the liquid media
    • B01F23/2376—Mixing gases with liquids by introducing gases into liquid media, e.g. for producing aerated liquids characterised by the physical or chemical properties of gases or vapours introduced in the liquid media characterised by the gas being introduced
    • B01F23/23761—Aerating, i.e. introducing oxygen containing gas in liquids
    • B01F23/237611—Air
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F23/00—Mixing according to the phases to be mixed, e.g. dispersing or emulsifying
    • B01F23/20—Mixing gases with liquids
    • B01F23/23—Mixing gases with liquids by introducing gases into liquid media, e.g. for producing aerated liquids
    • B01F23/237—Mixing gases with liquids by introducing gases into liquid media, e.g. for producing aerated liquids characterised by the physical or chemical properties of gases or vapours introduced in the liquid media
    • B01F23/2376—Mixing gases with liquids by introducing gases into liquid media, e.g. for producing aerated liquids characterised by the physical or chemical properties of gases or vapours introduced in the liquid media characterised by the gas being introduced
    • B01F23/23761—Aerating, i.e. introducing oxygen containing gas in liquids
    • B01F23/237612—Oxygen
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F23/00—Mixing according to the phases to be mixed, e.g. dispersing or emulsifying
    • B01F23/20—Mixing gases with liquids
    • B01F23/29—Mixing systems, i.e. flow charts or diagrams
    • 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
    • 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
    • B67D1/0072—Carbonating by injecting CO2 in the liquid through a diffuser, a bubbler
    • 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
    • B67D2210/00—Indexing scheme relating to aspects and details of apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught or for controlling flow of liquids under gravity from storage containers for dispensing purposes
    • B67D2210/00002—Purifying means
    • B67D2210/00013—Sterilising means
    • B67D2210/00023—Oxygenators

Definitions

  • the present invention refers to an apparatus and related process for supplying beverages.
  • the present invention refers to an apparatus configured for adding an oxygen-containing fluid, particularly pressurized gaseous oxygen, to a beverage entering the apparatus itself.
  • Present invention can for example find application in the field of supplying and processing drinking water in public structures, such as for example fountains and similar drinking water dispensing points, and private structures, such as for example villas, condominiums, or enterprises.
  • the present apparatus can find application in outdoor and/or indoor dispensers both public and private; particularly, referring to such dispensers, they can be placed for example in public parks, squares, malls, office premises, and gymnasiums. Further, the apparatus can be used in the industrial field.
  • oxygenation efficiency means the ratio of an oxygen amount present inside the beverage after and before the treatment.
  • the object of the present invention is to substantially overcome at least one of the disadvantages and/or limitations of the preceding solutions.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus capable of efficiently oxygenating water, or a beverage; particularly an object of the invention is to provide an apparatus and related process enabling to efficiently enrich a beverage (for example water) with oxygen by reduced operative pressures (reduced pressures of the oxygenation fluid).
  • a further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus enabling to increase the amount of oxygen dissolved in water by suitably configuring both an enrichment reservoir and an hydraulic circuit.
  • an object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus having a compact structure; particularly, an object of the invention is to provide an apparatus having a reduced size which can be therefore easily placed and used in public and private environments. Then, an object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for supplying beverages having a simple and economical structure.
  • an apparatus (1) for supplying beverages from at least one structure (3) is provided, said structure (3) being of a type comprising one or more water supply systems or drinking water sources, such as for example a well, and at least one dispenser (319) fluidically communicating with said water supply system or source which at least one beverage can be tapped from, said apparatus (1) comprising:
  • oxygen enricher (305) is configured for enriching drinking water from the source with at least one oxygen-containing gas.
  • mixing reservoir (206) has at least a first inlet (207) fluidically communicating with first coupling (203) and suitable for enabling to introduce inside the reservoir a predetermined quantity of water from the source, mixing reservoir (206) having further at least a second inlet (208) configured for enabling to introduce inside mixing reservoir (206) a predetermined quantity of oxygen-containing gas, said mixing reservoir (206) being configured for enabling to mix the predetermined water quantity and predetermined oxygen quantity and to supply, through said collecting element (308), drinking water having an oxygen concentration greater than the oxygen concentration present in drinking water entering from mixing reservoir (206), collecting element (308) being configured to deliver the fluid exiting mixing reservoir (206) and being fluidically communicating with second coupling (204).
  • the ratio of the oxygen concentration present inside the drinking water exiting mixing reservoir (206) to oxygen concentration present inside drinking water entering mixing reservoir (206) is greater than 2, particularly greater than 4, still more particularly greater than 10.
  • the oxygen concentration present inside drinking water exiting collecting element (308) is greater than 8 mg/l, particularly greater than 20 mg/l, still more particularly greater than 40 mg/l.
  • said collecting element (308) is placed at an upper portion (206a) of mixing reservoir (206).
  • said collecting element (308) extends along a prevalent development direction transversal to said first and second passage sections (308a; 308b) and has a central passage channel (308c) developing between said first and second passage sections (308a; 308b), said central passage channel (308c) having a cross-section converging along the advancement fluid direction.
  • said converging trend central passage channel (308c) has a frusto-conical shape having a diameter (D) linearly reducing advancing from said first passage section (308a) to said second passage section (308b).
  • the prevalent development direction of collecting element (308) is substantially vertical and parallel to a main development axis of mixing reservoir (206) under a condition of use of the latter.
  • first passage section (308a) of collecting element (308) is placed at a height greater than the height of second section (308b).
  • first passage section (308a) of collecting element (308) is placed at a height smaller than the height of second section (308b).
  • first passage section (308a) is defined on an upper wall of mixing reservoir (206), collecting element (308) developing away from upper wall and substantially being a converging trend extension of upper portion (206a) of mixing reservoir (206).
  • oxygen enricher (305) comprises a delivery pipe (370) fluidically communicating with said second passage section (308b), said delivery pipe (370) being configured for conveying the oxygen-enriched beverage towards outlet line (213).
  • delivery pipe (370) develops at least partially inside mixing reservoir (206) along a substantially vertical prevalent development direction.
  • delivery pipe (370) exits mixing reservoir (206) at a reservoir bottom wall.
  • delivery pipe (370) exits mixing reservoir (206) at reservoir lateral wall.
  • delivery pipe (370) comprises a first length (370a) developing along a substantially vertical direction, a second length (370b) developing in a substantially horizontal direction and a curvilinear trend fitting interposed between, and connecting, the first and second lengths (370a; 370b), said curvilinear trend fitting being destined to fluidically communicate said first length (370a) and second length (370b).
  • first length (370a) and curvilinear trend fitting extend inside mixing reservoir (206) and second length (370b) extends partially inside and partially outside mixing reservoir (206), said second length (370b) exiting mixing reservoir (206) at a reservoir lateral wall.
  • delivery pipe (370) extends completely outside mixing reservoir (206) away from reservoir upper wall.
  • delivery pipe (370) develops at least partially along a substantially vertical prevalent development direction, particularly coinciding with a main development axis of mixing reservoir (206).
  • delivery pipe (370) is configured for conveying the oxygen-enriched beverage towards a branching point (250) of supply circuit (201) which a recirculation branch (255) and outlet line (213) branch from.
  • oxygen enricher (305) comprises at least one pressurized gas source (350) fluidically communicating with mixing reservoir (206) and configured for delivering pressurized fluid of oxygen enricher (305) to mixing reservoir (206).
  • pressurized gas source (350) comprises at least one tank (312), preferably of oxygen, and/or at least one compressor (317).
  • oxygen enricher (305) comprises at least one injecting pipe (306) fluidically communicating with said first inlet (207) and configured for introducing inside the mixing reservoir (206) a predetermined quantity of water from source, said injecting pipe (306) developing at least partially inside the mixing reservoir (206).
  • said injecting pipe (306) develops completely inside mixing reservoir (206).
  • said injecting pipe (306) has a plurality of points (346) for supplying water from the source inside said mixing reservoir (206).
  • injecting pipe (306) has a substantially vertical development direction and said supply points (346) are placed at different heights along the vertical development of said injecting pipe (306).
  • said injecting pipe (306) comprises at least one nozzle (306a).
  • oxygen enricher (305) comprises a device (307) dispensing oxygen-containing gas, fluidically communicating with said second inlet (208).
  • said dispensing device (307) comprises at least one bubble diffuser, particularly a microbubble diffuser (3071), said diffuser being placed inside said mixing reservoir (206).
  • said microbubble diffuser (3071) is placed inside said mixing reservoir (206) at a lower portion (206b) of mixing reservoir (206), and is configured for forming oxygen microbubbles suitable for ascending through water contained in mixing reservoir (206), dissolving in water and enriching it with oxygen.
  • microbubble diffuser (3071) has at least on surface provided with a plurality of oxygen microbubble outlet hole, destined to, and under an operative conditions of apparatus 1, expelling oxygen microbubbles adapted to ascend through the water contained in mixing reservoir (206), dissolving in water and enriching it with oxygen.
  • said dispensing device (307) is placed at a bottom wall of mixing reservoir (206) and said collecting element (308) is placed at an upper wall of mixing reservoir (206) opposite to said bottom wall.
  • said first passage section (308a) of collecting element (308) is placed at a height greater than one of a oxygen microbubble outlet portion from microbubble diffuser (3071).
  • said collecting element (308) is configured for generating a hydraulic negative pressure suitable for moving the oxygen-enriched beverage and water-undissolved oxygen exiting mixing reservoir (206).
  • said collecting element (308) is substantially devoid of openings at an outer shield of central passage channel (308c) in order to generate, under operative conditions of apparatus (1), a hydraulic negative pressure suitable for moving the oxygen-enriched beverage and water-undissolved oxygen exiting mixing reservoir (206).
  • said collecting element (308) is substantially continuous at an outer shield of central passage channel (308c) in order to generate, under operative conditions of apparatus (1), a hydraulic negative pressure suitable to move the oxygen-enriched beverage and water-undissolved oxygen exiting mixing reservoir (206).
  • said first inlet (207) of mixing reservoir (206) is placed at a lower portion (206b) of mixing reservoir (206).
  • said second inlet (208) of mixing reservoir (206) is placed at a lower portion (206b) of mixing reservoir (206).
  • pressure of fluid introduced by oxygen enricher (305) inside mixing reservoir (206) is less than 10 bar, particularly less than 7 bar, still more particularly less than 5 bar.
  • apparatus (1) comprises at least one cooling environment (300) configured for keeping cool water in oxygen enricher (305) and particularly having a temperature less than the temperature of drinking water entering from first coupling (203) of supply circuit (201).
  • the ratio of temperature of drinking water entering from first coupling (203) to temperature of drinking water present inside mixing reservoir (206) is greater than 1.1.
  • the temperature of drinking water present in mixing reservoir (206) is comprised between 2°C and 25°C, particularly comprised between 3°C and 20°C, still more particularly comprised between 4°C and 10°C.
  • supply circuit (201) comprises at least one withdraw line (211) fluidically communicating the first coupling (203) with first inlet (207) of mixing reservoir (206), supply circuit (201) further comprising at least one feeding line (212) fluidically communicating the pressurized gas source (350) with second inlet (208) of mixing reservoir (206), said supply circuit (201) further comprising at least one outlet line (213) fluidically communicating the collecting element (308) from mixing reservoir (206) with second coupling (204).
  • supply circuit (201) further comprises a recirculation circuit (260) fluidically communicating with, and developing between, said element (308) collecting oxygen-enriched beverage from mixing reservoir (206) and said withdraw line (211), the recirculation circuit (260) comprises a recirculation pump (309) configured for recirculating, with the oxygen-enriched beverage, the water-undissolved oxygen.
  • supply circuit (201) comprises a branching point (250) which a recirculation branch (255) and the outlet line (213) branch from, wherein recirculation branch (255) merges with withdraw line (211) at a junction point (270) of supply circuit (201), to define the recirculation circuit (260).
  • recirculation circuit (260) further comprises a minimum pressure switch (302) placed upstream recirculation pump (309) along said withdraw line (211), and said apparatus (1) comprises a control unit (303) operatively connected to said minimum pressure switch (302) and recirculation pump (309), said control unit (303) being configured for reading from said minimum pressure switch (302) a pressure value relative to the drinking water pressure in said withdraw line (211) and, when said pressure value is less than a predetermined pressure value, for deactivating said recirculation pump (309).
  • the recirculation pump (309) under normal operative conditions of said apparatus (1), that is when drinking water pressure value measured by said minimum pressure switch (302) in withdraw line (211) is greater than a predetermined pressure value, the recirculation pump (309) has a continuous operation.
  • supply circuit (201) comprises a shut-off element (304), particularly a solenoid valve, placed in outlet line (213) of supply circuit (201), said shut-off element (304) being configured for selectively operating between a closed condition and an open condition, wherein under closed condition shut-off element (304) shuts off the fluid communication between collecting element (308) from mixing reservoir (206) and second coupling (204), while under open condition shut-off element (304) enables the fluid communication between collecting element (308) from mixing reservoir (206) and second coupling (204), said control unit (303) being operatively connected to said shut-off element (304) and being configured for managing and commanding the configuration of shut-off element (304) in the open or closed condition.
  • a shut-off element 304
  • solenoid valve placed in outlet line (213) of supply circuit (201)
  • control unit (303) being operatively connected to said shut-off element (304) and being configured for managing and commanding the configuration of shut-off element (304) in the open or closed condition.
  • said control unit (303) is configured for selectively commanding the operation of apparatus (1) among at least three operative conditions:
  • collecting element (308) fluidically communicates with a recirculation branch (255) of supply circuit (201).
  • control unit (303) is configured for commanding recirculation pump (309) to increase the rotation speed or active it upon shut-off element (304) is positioned in the closed condition.
  • said collecting element (308) is configured for generating a hydraulic negative pressure suitable for moving oxygen-enriched beverage and water-undissolved oxygen exiting mixing reservoir (206) and conveying them, under closed conditions of shut-off element (304), to said recirculation circuit (260).
  • said apparatus (1) comprises, upstream mixing reservoir (206), filtration means active on supply circuit (201) and configured for filtering drinking water.
  • said apparatus (1) comprises, upstream mixing reservoir (206), at least one reverse osmosis membrane active on supply circuit (201) and configured for reducing the drinking water salinity.
  • said apparatus (1) comprises at least one sanitization device (321) operatively associated to second coupling (204) of supply circuit (201).
  • sanitization device (321) is of a UV-rays type.
  • said oxygen enricher (305) comprises a safety valve (315) operatively connected to mixing reservoir (206) and configured for preventing overpressures inside mixing reservoir (206), the opening of safety valve (315) being adjusted at a limit pressure value, wherein under normal operative conditions of mixing reservoir (206), that is when its inside pressure is less than said limit pressure value, safety valve (315) is in a closed position, while when pressure inside mixing reservoir (206) is greater than or equal to said limit pressure value, safety value (315) automatically switch to the open position for releasing the excessive pressure present inside mixing reservoir (206).
  • a process for supplying beverages comprising the following steps:
  • collecting element (308) is placed inside reservoir (206) at a predetermined level, and wherein the step of withdrawing the enriched beverage by collecting element (308) is performed by introducing water and a pressurized fluid, which pass the level at which collecting element (308) is placed, oxygen-enriched beverage overflowing from collecting element level is outwardly conveyed from reservoir.
  • the step of withdrawing the enriched beverage is performed by dropping a predetermined beverage quantity passing the predetermined level, above which the collecting element (308) is placed.
  • collecting element (308) withdraws the oxygen-enriched beverage from mixing reservoir (206) and conveys it towards outlet line (213), collecting element (308) having at least a first and a second passage sections (308a; 308b) destined to be passed through by said oxygen-enriched beverage from apparatus, second section (308b) being placed downstream first section (308a) along the oxygen-enriched beverage advancement direction and having a passage net section smaller than a passage net section of first section (308a).
  • drinking water is introduced in mixing reservoir (206) at a level lower than a level which collecting element (308) is placed at, and particularly lower than an outlet of collecting element.
  • the fluid having an oxygen concentration greater than oxygen concentration present in drinking water of source, is introduced in mixing reservoir (206) at a level lower than a level which collecting element (308) is placed at, and particularly lower than an outlet of collecting element (308).
  • a 65th aspect according to anyone of aspects from 59 to 64, wherein the step of introducing water and oxygen-enriching fluid is performed inside the reservoir at different levels of reservoir itself, particularly drinking water being introduced in reservoir at a level higher than a level at which the oxygen-enriching fluid is introduced.
  • the step of introducing drinking water in mixing reservoir (206) is continuously performed by a supply circuit (201) directly connected to one or more water supply systems.
  • the process provides recirculating at least a portion of the oxygen-enriched beverage exiting reservoir (206), such recirculation step provides withdrawing at least a portion of the oxygen-enriched beverage exiting reservoir (206) and mixing the latter with at least a portion of drinking water from the source before water enters mixing reservoir.
  • the fluid introduced in the reservoir for the oxygen enrichment comprises at least one oxygen-containing gas.
  • the step of supplying the oxygen-enriched beverage provides supplying the same to one or more dispensers (319) for withdrawing the beverage.
  • the step of introducing fluid, having an oxygen concentration greater than the one of drinking water in reservoir is performed at a pressure less than 10 bar, particularly less than 7 bar, still more particularly less than 5 bar.
  • drinking water introduced in mixing reservoir has, during the introduction step, a temperature comprised between 2°C and 25°C, particularly comprised between 3°C and 20°C, still more particularly comprised between 4°C and 10°C.
  • 1 generally indicates an apparatus for supplying beverages.
  • Beverages can be supplied by at least one structure 3 which can be for example placed in public locations, as shown in Figure 4 .
  • Structure 3 is operatively connected to one or more water supply systems or continuous sources of drinking water, such as, for example, a well or waterworks.
  • Structure 3 comprises at least one dispenser 319 adapted to supply drinking water which has been previously enriched with oxygen by apparatus 1, as described in the following.
  • Dispenser 319 can receive one or more among the following types of water: natural water, water which carbon dioxide was previously added to and/or flavored water.
  • apparatus 1 comprises a supply circuit 201 having a first coupling 203 and a second coupling 204.
  • First coupling 203 is operatively associated to structure 3 and is hydraulically connectable to one or more water supply systems or drinking water continuous sources; in other words, first coupling 203 is the connection point of supply circuit 201 to a water supply system or another drinking water continuous source and is destined to supply drinking water entering apparatus 1.
  • Second coupling 204 is in turn operatively associated to structure 3 and is hydraulically connectable to one or more structure 3 dispenser 319; in other words, second coupling 204 is the end point of supply circuit 201 at which, by one or more dispensers 319, drinking water which was previously enriched with oxygen by apparatus 1 is supplied.
  • apparatus 1 comprises an oxygen enricher 305, forming the element responsible for adding oxygen to drinking water.
  • Oxygen enricher 305 is active on supply circuit 201 and fluidically communicates with first and second couplings 203, 204.
  • Oxygen enricher 305 is configured for adding a pressurized fluid to drinking water from the source; particularly, the fluid added to drinking water has an oxygen concentration greater than the oxygen concentration present in water from source.
  • oxygen enricher 305 is configured for enabling to form and supply at least one oxygen-enriched beverage, for example water, which is destined to be tapped from dispenser 319.
  • Oxygen-enriched (added) beverage means, in the present discussion, a beverage, particularly drinking water, which has been subjected to a refining and oxygen-enrichment process by the oxygen enricher 305 in order to increase the oxygen concentration of the beverage itself.
  • Oxygen enricher 305 comprises a mixing reservoir 206 and a pressurized fluid source 350, particularly of pressurized gas.
  • pressurized fluid has an oxygen concentration greater than the oxygen concentration of water from source; for example, such fluid can be oxygen or compressed air.
  • Pressurized gas source 350 comprises at least one tank 312, as shown in Figure 1 , and/or a compressor 317, as shown in Figure 2 .
  • tank 312 contains oxygen.
  • pressurized gas source 350 can further comprise a suitable pressure reducer 311, preferably of a type adjustable by pressure gauges, downstream tank 312, and adapted to modulate the pressure of gas destined to be introduced in oxygen enricher 305.
  • compressor 317 can be provided with a filter 316 adapted to prevent, for example, the air-suspended particles, such as dust and pollens, from being processed inside compressor 317.
  • filter 316 is adapted to prevent such air-suspended particles from reaching mixing reservoir 206.
  • Filter 316 can be for example a fluid high efficiency filter, such as a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air Filter) type.
  • Fluid from pressurized fluid source 350 which is introduced inside mixing reservoir 206, can have a pressure less than 10 bar, particularly less than 7 bar, still more particularly less than 5 bar.
  • the pressure of fluid introduced from oxygen enricher 305 inside mixing reservoir 206 is substantially equal to 3 or 4 bar or is comprised between 3 and 4 bar.
  • Oxygen enricher 305 and particularly mixing reservoir 206 can be made of steel AISI 316L of suitable shape and thickness in order to sustain operative pressures which can be also substantial.
  • steel AISI 316L represents just one of the materials which the outer envelope of oxygen enricher 305 can be made of; it could be made of a plurality of other materials adapted to the object, for example metal materials, composite materials, or plastic materials.
  • Mixing reservoir 206 represents the element of oxygen enricher 305 in which oxygen dissolves in drinking water.
  • Mixing reservoir 206 comprises an upper portion 206a at which an upper wall is defined (upwardly defining the mixing reservoir 206), a lower portion 206b at which a bottom wall is defined (opposite to upper wall and defining at the bottom the mixing reservoir 206) and a lateral wall cooperatively defining a pressurized water containing compartment; there are also a first water inlet 207, a second oxygen inlet 208, and a collecting element 308 for promoting the mixing of water and oxygen; such element will be better described in the following.
  • First inlet 207 is configured for enabling to introduce inside mixing reservoir 206 a predetermined water quantity from source; to this end, first inlet 207 fluidically communicates with first coupling 203 by a withdraw line 211 of supply circuit 201. In other words, such withdraw line 211 develops from first coupling 203 to first inlet 207 of mixing reservoir 206, to define an advancement path of drinking water from first coupling 203 to mixing reservoir 206.
  • Withdraw line 211 can provide a non-return valve 301 having the function of preventing drinking water from first coupling 203 from reflowing.
  • Second inlet 208 is configured for enabling to introduce inside mixing reservoir 206 a predetermined quantity of oxygen-containing gas, from pressurized gas source 350.
  • Second inlet 208 fluidically communicates with pressurized gas source 350 by a feeding line 212 of supply circuit 201.
  • feeding line 212 develops from pressurized gas source 350 to second inlet 208, to define and advancement path of the pressurized gas from pressurized gas source 350 to mixing reservoir 206.
  • feeding line 212 in order to prevent pressurized gas from reflowing towards pressurized gas source 350, it is provided a suitable non-return valve 313.
  • a minimum pressure switch 314 can be provided which is adapted to signal, by detecting gas pressure along feeding line 212, the depletion of gas stored inside the pressurized gas source 350.
  • minimum pressure switch 314 is placed upstream non-return valve 313.
  • pressurized gas source 350 is a pressurized gas tank 312
  • a pressure reducer 311 placed upstream minimum pressure switch 314 can be provided along feeding line 212.
  • both first and second inlets 207, 208 are placed at a lower portion 206b of mixing reservoir 206, particularly at the bottom wall, in order to ensure a mutual mixing motion when oxygen-containing gas ascends through drinking water contained in mixing reservoir 206, such motion promoting their mutual contact and particularly the solubility of oxygen-containing gas in water.
  • First and second inlets 207, 208 are respectively adapted to introduce in mixing reservoir 206 a predetermined drinking water quantity from source and a predetermined oxygen-containing quantity from pressurized gas source 350.
  • Mixing reservoir 206 is configured for enabling to mix the predetermined water quantity and predetermined oxygen quantity, to enable, thanks to its structure and operative conditions (water temperature, pressure, water salinity) which will be described in the following, to dissolve oxygen in water.
  • oxygen enricher 305 can comprise an injecting pipe 306 configured for introducing the predetermined drinking water quantity from source inside the mixing reservoir 206.
  • injecting pipe 306 fluidically communicates with first inlet 207 and can be attached to mixing reservoir 206 at first inlet 207.
  • injecting pipe 306 has a substantially vertical prevalent development direction and develops, at least partially, particularly completely, inside mixing reservoir 206.
  • injecting pipe 306 can comprise a plurality of water dispensing (or introducing) points 346 inside mixing reservoir 206, which can be placed at different heights along the vertical development of injecting pipe 306, as illustrated in Figure 3 .
  • the presence of a plurality of dispending points 346 placed at different heights along injecting pipe 306 optimizes the relative motion between water and oxygen inside mixing reservoir 206, to promote the mixing and therefore the solubility of oxygen in water.
  • injecting pipe 306 can possibly comprise one or more nozzles 306a, particularly at least one nozzle 306a at one terminal portion thereof opposite to injecting pipe portion 306 placed at first inlet 207 (as shown in Figure 3 ).
  • oxygen enricher 305 comprises, downstream second inlet 208 and inside mixing reservoir 206, a device 307 dispensing oxygen-containing gas.
  • Dispensing device 307 can comprise a bubble diffuser, particularly a microbubble diffuser 3071.
  • Microbubble diffuser 3071 is placed at a lower portion 206b of mixing reservoir 206 and is configured for forming oxygen microbubbles adapted to be intimately mixed with and/or ascend through water contained in mixing reservoir 206, dissolving in water and enriching it with oxygen.
  • dispensing device 307 is placed at bottom wall of mixing reservoir 206 (see Figure 1 , for example).
  • Microbubble diffuser 3071 has at least one prevalent development surface provided with a plurality of oxygen microbubble outlet holes which, under operative conditions of apparatus 1, oxygen microbubbles (or oxygen-containing gas) adapted to ascend through water contained in mixing reservoir 206, exit from, dissolving in water and enriching it with oxygen.
  • the holes are suitably sized to enable the selective passage of oxygen/gas microbubbles.
  • the oxygen enrichment process continuously occurs in mixing reservoir 206 and is performed by introducing, at lower portion 206b of mixing reservoir 206, drinking water by an injecting pipe 306 and oxygen-containing gas by the dispensing device 307.
  • the water jet entering reservoir 206 is preferably formed by one or more suitably oriented pressurized nozzles 306a, which define one or more dispensing points 346.
  • Water jet (or jets) is oriented in order to generate a motion of the fluids inside mixing reservoir 206 which promotes the contact between cooled water and microbubble oxygen. Oxygen microbubbles dissolve and ascend through cool water present in mixing reservoir 206, in order to enrich it with oxygen.
  • Drinking water enters mixing reservoir 206 preferably with a continuous recirculation, by a recirculation circuit 260 of supply circuit 201.
  • the water entering mixing reservoir 206 is suitable cooled water.
  • oxygen enricher 305 can comprise a safety valve 315 operatively connected to mixing reservoir 206 and configured for operating at an overpressure formed inside mixing reservoir 206 and/or for preventing overpressures inside mixing reservoir 206.
  • Safety valve 315 is adjusted at a limit pressure value and is configured for automatically open when the pressure inside mixing reservoir 206 is greater than or equal to the adjustment limit pressure value of the valve.
  • safety valve 315 is configured for selectively operating between a closed position (corresponding to normal operative conditions of mixing reservoir 206) and an open position (due to the presence of an overpressure inside mixing reservoir 206).
  • safety valve 315 Under normal operative conditions of mixing reservoir 206, that is when the pressure inside it is less than said limit pressure value, safety valve 315 is in a closed position, while when pressure inside mixing reservoir 206 is greater than or equal to said limit pressure value, safety valve 315 automatically switches to the open position for releasing the excessive pressure formed inside mixing reservoir 206.
  • mixing reservoir 206 comprises a collecting element 308 configured for, and destined to convey the oxygen-enriched beverage exiting mixing reservoir 206.
  • Collecting element 308 is a suitably shaped channel for withdrawing from reservoir and has a first and second passage sections 308a, 308b destined to be passed through, under operative conditions of oxygen enricher 305, by the oxygen-enriched beverage, and a central passage channel 308c developing between first and second sections 308a, 308b.
  • First passage section 308a (or inlet section) of collecting element 308 is placed at a height higher than an oxygen-containing gas microbubble outlet portion from microbubble diffuser 3071.
  • second section 308b With reference to second section 308b, it is placed serially to and downstream first section 308a along enriched beverage withdraw direction and has a passage net section smaller than a passage net section of first section 308a.
  • Collecting element 308 develops along a prevalent development direction transversal to first and second sections 308a, 308b and parallel to a main development axis of mixing reservoir 206.
  • central passage channel 308c has a cross-section converging along the oxygen-enriched beverage advancement direction inside collecting element 308.
  • central passage channel 308c has a frusto-conical shape characterized by a diameter D linearly reducing along the fluid advancement direction, in other words from first passage section 308a to second passage section 308b.
  • first section 308a can have a first diameter D1
  • second section 308b can have a second diameter D2 smaller than first diameter D1
  • central passage channel 308c can have a diameter D linearly reducing (moving along the fluid advancement path) from first diameter D1 in order to take a value equal to second diameter D2 at second section 308b, as illustrated in Figure 3 .
  • Collecting element 308 is preferably placed in an opposite portion of mixing reservoir 206 with respect to first and second inlets 207, 208. For example, if first and second inlets 207, 208 are placed at a lower portion 206b of mixing reservoir 206, oxygen-enriched beverage collecting element 308 is placed at the upper portion 206a of mixing reservoir 206, as exemplary illustrated in Figure 3 . In an embodiment, collecting element 308 is placed at the upper wall of mixing reservoir 206.
  • apparatus 1 comprises a control unit 303 configured for commanding and managing the operation of some components which can be installed to the supply circuit 201, as it will be described in the following.
  • Control unit 303 preferably comprises a programmable electronic-type control unit, capable of operating electromechanical devices which can be installed to supply circuit 201 (which will be described in the following) after a selection by the user or based on instrument indications from devices such as for examples probes or pressure switches.
  • Downstream collecting element 308, apparatus 1 can comprise a delivery pipe 370 adapted to convey oxygen-enriched beverage towards a branching point 250 of supply circuit 201.
  • Delivery pipe 370 is preferably connected to or, in any event, fluidically communicates with collecting element 308 at second section 308b and develops at least partially along a substantially vertical prevalent development direction, particularly coinciding with main development axis of mixing reservoir 206.
  • Collecting element 308 and delivery pipe 370 can have, according to some variants, different mutual positions.
  • the variants are illustrated in Figures 3a, 3b and 3c and have in common the position of collecting element 308 at upper portion 206a of mixing reservoir 206 and the converging trend of cross-section of central passage channel 308c along the fluid advancement direction; however they differ due to the arrangement of collecting element 308 and delivery pipe 370.
  • collecting element 308 can be placed, notwithstanding the positioning at upper portion 206a, completely inside mixing reservoir 206a (as illustrated in Figures 3a and 3c ) or form a portion of the mixing reservoir 206 outer shield (as illustrated in Figure 3b ) and can be oriented in different ways, as it will be described.
  • Exemplary, Figure 3 and Figures 3a, 3b and 3c of variants of the embodiment outline the oxygen-enriched beverage path exiting mixing reservoir 206; particularly such path is outlined at the collecting element 308 and delivery pipe 370.
  • collecting element 308 is placed inside mixing reservoir 206 at upper portion 206a and is oriented in a substantially vertical direction, with the second section 308b placed at a height smaller than the height of first section 308a.
  • water enters collecting element 308 at first section 308a, then follows a substantially downwardly advancement motion in the direction of second section 308b.
  • oxygen-enriched beverage passes through delivery pipe 370, vertically placed in the embodiment in Figure 3a inside mixing reservoir 206. According to such delivery pipe 370 arrangement, oxygen-enriched beverage leaves mixing reservoir 206 at bottom wall thereof, as illustrated in Figure 3 (illustrating the same arrangement of collecting element 308 and delivery pipe 370 in Figure 3a ).
  • Figure 3b illustrates a first variant regarding the collecting element 308 and delivery pipe 370; such first variant differs from the embodiment illustrated in Figure 3a for the position of collecting element 308 and delivery pipe 370.
  • Collecting element 308 is placed at upper portion 206a of mixing reservoir 206 and is oriented in a substantially vertical direction, second section 308b being placed at a height higher than the height of first section 308a.
  • collecting element 308 is not placed inside mixing reservoir 206, but is substantially an extension of the upper portion 206 (at the reservoir outer shield), as illustrated in Figure 3b .
  • first passage section 308a of collecting element 308 is defined on the upper wall of mixing reservoir 206 and collecting element 308 develops away from upper wall, in order to substantially form a converging trend extension of upper portion 206a of mixing reservoir 206.
  • Delivery pipe 370 is connected to collecting element 308 at second section 308b and is placed above collecting element 308 outside mixing reservoir 206. In other words, delivery pipe 370 completely develops outside mixing reservoir 206 away from reservoir upper wall.
  • oxygen-enriched beverage passes second section 308b, passes through delivery pipe 370, and leaves mixing reservoir 206 at upper portion 206a thereof.
  • FIG 3C illustrates a second variant regarding collecting element 308 and delivery pipe 370.
  • Collecting element 308 is substantially placed as in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 3a ; it is placed inside mixing reservoir 206 at upper portion 206a and is oriented in a substantially vertical direction, second section 308b being placed at a height smaller than the height of first section 308a.
  • delivery pipe 370 is connected to collecting element 308 at second section 308b, and develops for a first length 370a in a vertical direction, then has a curvilinear-shaped fitting connecting first length 370a to second length 370b of delivery pipe 370, substantially developing in a horizontal direction.
  • First length 370 and curvilinear-shaped fitting develop inside mixing reservoir 206, while second length 370b develops partially inside and partially outside mixing reservoir 206, exiting mixing reservoir 206 at lateral wall thereof, as illustrated in Figure 3c .
  • collecting element 308 is placed so that the fluid advancement direction inside it, is defined along the central passage channel 308c from first section 308a to second section 308b.
  • central passage channel 308c interposed between first and second sections 308a, 308b has a trend converging along the fluid advancement direction inside collecting element 308; such converging central passage channel 308c (having particularly a frusto-conical shape) determines, under operative conditions of oxygen enricher 305, a hydraulic negative pressure which moves, by the suction effect caused by the negative pressure itself, the oxygen-enriched beverage and water-undissolved oxygen exiting mixing reservoir 206.
  • hydraulic negative pressure generated by collecting element 308 promotes the collection of the oxygen-enriched beverage and the water-undissolved oxygen.
  • collecting element 308 is substantially devoid of openings at the central passage channel 308c outer shield.
  • openings at central passage channel 308c lateral shield optimizes the operation of collecting element 308, particularly to enable the generation of said hydraulic negative pressure.
  • some openings at the central passage channel 308c lateral shield can be provided with a number and size such to not prevent the operation of collecting element 308 (in other words the generation of a negative pressure which improves the oxygen solubility in water).
  • collecting element 308 is substantially continuous (in other words without passage holes) at the central passage channel 308c outer shield.
  • delivery pipe 370 is adapted to convey the oxygen-enriched beverage towards a branching point 250 of supply circuit 201.
  • An outlet line 213 and a recirculation branch 255 develop from the branching point 250 of supply circuit 201, recirculation branch 255 defining a recirculation circuit 260.
  • Outlet line 213 fluidically communicates the collecting element 308 with second coupling 204.
  • Recirculation branch 255 fluidically communicates collecting element 308 with withdraw line 211, to define a recirculation circuit 260. Particularly, recirculation branch 255 merges with the withdraw line 211 at a junction point 270 of supply circuit 201. Supply circuit 201 portion comprised between junction point 270 and first inlet 207 is in common between withdraw line 211 and recirculation circuit 260.
  • recirculation circuit 260 develops from branching point 250 along recirculation branch 255, and merges with the withdraw line 211 at the junction point 270.
  • Recirculation circuit 260 comprises a recirculation pump 309 configured for recirculating, inside the recirculation circuit 260, water partially mixed with oxygen so that, by reintroducing it in the reservoir, the water can be further mixed.
  • recirculation pump 309 is placed on withdraw line 211 downstream junction point 270.
  • Recirculation circuit 260 further comprises a minimum pressure switch 302 placed on withdraw line 211 between junction point 270 and recirculation pump 309. Minimum pressure switch 302 enables a proper operation of supply circuit 201 by detecting the presence or absence of pressurized water in withdraw line 211.
  • Minimum pressure switch 302 and recirculation pump 309 are operatively connected to control unit 303.
  • control unit 303 is configured for reading from minimum pressure switch 302 a value of the drinking water pressure in withdraw line 211 and, if such pressure value is less than a predetermined pressure value, it deactivates the recirculation pump 309. In this way, it is avoided a “dry operation", or “dry running” of the recirculation pump 309 due to the absence of system water or to a fail of the pump itself.
  • recirculation pump 309 has a continuous operation; however, it is possible to provide discontinuous operation cycles of the recirculation pump 309.
  • the continuous operation of recirculation pump 309 is adapted to continuously recirculate, by recirculation circuit 260, the oxygen-enriched beverage and undissolved oxygen, to promote the dissolution of the undissolved oxygen and to prevent the oxygen-enriched beverage from stagnating inside mixing reservoir 206.
  • Recirculation pump 309 is configured for processing, beside the oxygen-enriched water, also the excess of oxygen, in other words oxygen which is not dissolved in water (the undissolved bubbles). Particularly, under operative conditions of oxygen enricher 305, the oxygen excess is placed at the upper portion 206a of mixing reservoir 206 where, continuously, is collected, together with the already oxygen-enriched water, by the collecting element 308, which fluidically communicates with recirculation circuit 260. Therefore, the undissolved oxygen excess is destined to be suctioned by the recirculation pump 309, which reintroduce it by recirculation circuit 260, with drinking water, in the mixing reservoir 206 at the first inlet 207.
  • Apparatus 1 can provide a cooling environment 300 configured for cooling mixing reservoir 206 of oxygen enricher 305 and pipes defining the recirculation circuit 260 and consequently the water contained in it.
  • the water is cooled and kept at a low temperature in order to promote the oxygen enrichment according to a chemical-physical Henry law regarding the dissolution of gases in a liquid (in the present case drinking water).
  • Cooling environment 300 is configured for keeping water in the oxygen enricher 305 and in the pipes of recirculation circuit 260 cooled and particularly has a temperature lower than the temperature of drinking water entering the first coupling 203 of supply circuit 201.
  • Cooling environment 300 is configured for cooling the oxygen enricher 305 and recirculation circuit 260 pipes, but the branch comprising recirculation pump 309.
  • cooling environment 300 can comprise a basin (not illustrated) containing water or cooling liquid, oxygen enricher 305 being immersed in the basin and the recirculation circuit 260 being partially immersed in the basin (but the recirculation pump 309), and an optional cooling circuit (not illustrated) configured for keeping the basin at a low temperature.
  • the temperature of drinking water present inside mixing reservoir 206 can be comprised between 2°C and 25°C, particularly comprised between 3°C and 20°C, still more particularly comprised between 4°C and 10°C.
  • an optimal temperature for the water inside mixing reservoir 206 is substantially equal to 5°C or 6°C; such temperature ensures, in comparison with higher temperatures, a greater solubility of oxygen in water.
  • the oxygen amount by which water is enriched changes as a function of parameters such as water temperature, operative apparatus temperature, gas pressures, and water salinity.
  • solubility of oxygen in water is inversely proportional to water and apparatus temperatures, inversely proportional to water salinity and directly proportional to oxygen pressure.
  • Cooling environment 300 has therefore the function of keeping cooled the water in oxygen enricher 305 and in recirculation circuit 260 pipes and particularly at a temperature lower than the temperature of drinking water entering first coupling 203 of supply circuit 201, in order to increase the solubility of oxygen in water.
  • the solubility of oxygen in water is inversely proportional to the water salinity; in other words, the oxygen enrichment capacity decreases in salt-reach waters.
  • drinking water entering apparatus 1 through first coupling 203 of supply circuit 201 from continuous source had a contained salinity, preferably comprised between 50 and 1000 mg/l.
  • the oxygen enrichment is better done by using suitably filtered drinking water, preferably having a salinity falling in said range.
  • drinking water entering apparatus 1 through first coupling 203 from continuous source has an excessive salinity (for example greater than 1000 mg/l)
  • such water salinity value can be for example reduced by making water pass through reverse osmosis membranes (not illustrated).
  • Drinking water is filtered by using suitable composite filters (in other words filters containing also activated carbons) removing, besides possible solid particles suspended in water, also an excess of chlorine, possible colorations and displeasing smells.
  • suitable composite filters in other words filters containing also activated carbons
  • the water is preferably filtered in the withdraw line 211 upstream mixing reservoir 206, particularly upstream cooling environment 300; such filtration can be performed by suitable filtration means (not illustrated), for example of the previously described type or similar.
  • the water Downstream the filtration, through a suitable hydraulic circuit, the water is cooled by the cooling environment 300 in order to increase the maximum oxygen quantity which can be dissolved in water.
  • the oxygen natural concentration in water is about 5.5 - 6 mg/l; by the oxygen enricher 305 and apparatus 1 according to the present invention, the oxygen concentration in water can be strongly increased.
  • the oxygen concentration present inside drinking water exiting mixing reservoir 206 can be greater than 8 mg/l, particularly greater than 20 mg/l, still more particularly greater than 40 mg/l.
  • the oxygen concentration present inside drinking water exiting mixing reservoir 206 is comprised between 20 mg/l and 60 mg/l.
  • the ratio of the oxygen concentration present inside drinking water exiting mixing reservoir 206 to the oxygen concentration inside drinking water entering mixing reservoir 206 is greater than 2, particularly greater than 4, still more particularly greater than 10.
  • apparatus 1 Under the ideal operative conditions of apparatus 1, in other words at a water temperature in cooling environment 300 comprised between 4°C and 10°C, at a salinity of water entering first coupling 203 comprised between 50 and 1000 mg/l, at a pressure of oxygen-containing fluid introduced in oxygen enricher 305 inside mixing reservoir 206 comprised between 3 and 5 bar, and with an continuous operation of recirculation pump 309, the Applicant has demonstrated that it is possible to obtain oxygen concentrations comprised between 20 and 60 mg/l by the oxygen enricher 305 and apparatus 1 according to the present invention.
  • outlet line 213 of supply circuit 201 can comprise a plurality of components configured for adjusting, enabling or shutting-off the oxygen-enriched beverage flow or checking some characteristics of oxygen-enriched beverage.
  • the outlet line 213 can comprise a flow-rate regulator or compensator 318 adapted to compensate the pressure of the oxygen-enriched beverage; which, particularly, by generating a localized load loss, determines a pressure drop of the oxygen-enriched beverage, in order to safely tap purified water from dispenser 309.
  • the outlet line 213 can comprise a probe 320, for example of an immersion type, provided with an oxygen sensor and configured for detecting oxygen present in oxygen-enriched beverage, particularly the oxygen concentration in the oxygen-enriched beverage.
  • Probe 320 can be operatively connected to control unit 303; particularly control unit 303 is configured for reading a value regarding the oxygen concentration detected by probe 302 on outlet line 213.
  • control unit 303 is configured for reading a value regarding the oxygen concentration detected by probe 302 on outlet line 213.
  • probe 320 is placed on outlet line 213 downstream flow-rate regulator 318.
  • outlet line 213 comprises a shut-off element 304, particularly a solenoid valve, configured for selectively operating between a closed condition and an open condition.
  • shut-off element 304 shuts-off the fluid communication between collecting element 308 and second coupling 204, by not enabling to dispense oxygen-enriched beverage at the dispenser 319; instead under the open condition, shut-off element 304 enables the fluid communication between collecting element 308 and second coupling 204, in order to enable, on demand, to dispense the oxygen-enriched beverage at the dispenser 319.
  • shut-off element 304 Under the closed condition of shut-off element 304, collecting element 308 fluidically communicates with recirculation branch 255 of supply circuit 201.
  • shut-off element 304 is operatively connected to control unit 303, which is configured for managing and commanding the arrangement of shut-off element 304 in the open or closed condition.
  • shut-off element 304 If there is no demand of purified water, shut-off element 304 is in a closed condition; its opening can be commanded by the control unit 303 following a dispensing demand by an user. For example, when an user requires to dispense enriched water by a suitable command (such as by a pushbutton which is provided at the dispenser 319), the demand is processed by control unit 304 which commands to open the shut-off element 304 in order to enable the water to flow towards dispenser 319.
  • a suitable command such as by a pushbutton which is provided at the dispenser 319
  • Apparatus 1 can provide the recirculation of the oxygen-enriched beverage and water-undissolved oxygen both in the presence and absence of a dispensing demand as a function of operative needs.
  • control unit 303 is configured for selectively commanding the operation of apparatus 1 between at least three operative conditions.
  • control unit 303 places shut-off element 304 in an open condition and activates the recirculation pump 309 (or monitors the activated state of recirculation pump 309 and/or increases the rotation speed); according to such operative condition, mixing reservoir 206 sends fluid towards second coupling 204 to be dispensed at dispenser 319 and the fluid recirculation is simultaneously active.
  • control unit 303 places shut-off element 304 in the closed condition and activates recirculation pump 309 (or checks the activated state of recirculation pump 309 and/or increases its rotation speed); according to such operative condition, mixing reservoir 206 does not fluidically communicate with second coupling 204 and fluid recirculation is active.
  • control unit 303 places shut-off element 304 in the open condition and deactivates recirculation pump 309; according to such operative condition, mixing reservoir 206 sends fluid towards second coupling 204 to be dispensed at dispenser 319 and fluid recirculation is not active.
  • the fluid flow-rate conveyed in the recirculation circuit 260 is a fraction of the total flow-rate exiting collecting element 308; the remaining portion of the total flow-rate exiting collecting element 308 is conveyed towards outlet line 213.
  • the total flow-rate exiting collecting element 308 is conveyed in recirculation circuit 260.
  • shut-off element 304 is opened or closed independently from control unit 303; for example the shut-off element 304 can be of a mechanical type, such as a manual valve or similar.
  • opening shut-off element 304 causes the oxygen-enriched water to be dispensed from dispenser 319, in this way it is caused a pressure drop on supply line 201, so that cooled water and pressurized gas enter into oxygen enricher 305 respectively at first and second inlets 207, 208.
  • apparatus 1 can comprise at least one sanitization device 321 operatively associated to second coupling 204 of supply circuit 201.
  • Sanitization device 321 is advantageously placed at dispenser 319 in order to sanitize and/or degerminate and/or sterilize the oxygen-enriched beverage.
  • sanitization device 321 is adapted to prevent bacterial loads from undesirably ascending (this phenomenon is known as back-contamination).
  • the sterilizing effect is obtained by light radiations (for example UV radiations) adapted to damage the deoxyribonucleic acid with the formation of dimers and thymines by breaking the chemical bond between phosphates and deoxyribose, and by the hydrolysis of cytosine which kills the bacterial cells.
  • sanitization device 321 is of a UV-ray type; for example, sanitization device 321 can comprise at least one UV-ray emitter, such as a diode (for example a LED) configured for emitting UV-rays, or a lamp configured for emitting UV-rays (UV lamp).
  • a diode for example a LED
  • UV lamp configured for emitting UV-rays
  • sanitization device 321 comprising a plurality of UV-ray LED emitters and/or one or more UV lamps has a germicidal effect which opposes the bacterial proliferation at the dispenser 319 and at the surrounding areas thereof.
  • LEDs and UV lamps are particularly advantageous because such devices have a reduced energy consumption with respect to alternative systems which can be used for reducing possible bacterial proliferations.
  • Sanitization device 321 is operatively connected to control unit 303 which is configured for commanding sanitization device 321, particularly for adjusting and/or activating and/or deactivating the operation thereof.
  • the process provides introducing in the mixing reservoir 206 drinking water from a source, and a fluid having an oxygen concentration greater than the oxygen concentration present in the drinking water of the source; preferably, said fluid comprises at least one oxygen-containing gas.
  • the step of introducing fluid enables to define inside the reservoir an oxygen-enriched beverage.
  • the process provides supplying the oxygen-enriched beverage to an outlet of mixing reservoir 206 and, downstream mixing reservoir 206, to one or more dispensers 319 for tapping the beverage.
  • the beverage in order to be supplied from mixing reservoir 206, is tapped inside the reservoir by a collecting element 308 which, as previously discussed, can be placed at the upper portion 206a of mixing reservoir 206, and has, for at least a length thereof, a section converging along the outlet direction of beverage from reservoir 206.
  • collecting element 308 is placed inside reservoir 206 at a predetermined level and the step of withdrawing the enriched beverage by the collecting element 308 is performed by introducing water and pressurized fluid which passes the level which the collecting element 308 is placed at. Oxygen-enriched beverage overflowing from the level of collecting element 308 is therefore conveyed outside the reservoir.
  • the oxygen-enriched beverage is withdrawn by dropping a predetermined beverage quantity passing the predetermined level above which the collecting element 308 is placed.
  • Collecting element 308, being in a hydraulic connection with mixing reservoir 206 and outlet line 213, withdraws the oxygen-enriched beverage from mixing reservoir 206 and conveys it towards the outlet 213.
  • the step of introducing drinking water in the mixing reservoir 206 it is performed at a level lower than the level which the collecting element 308 is placed at, and particularly lower than the level of the outlet of collecting element 308.
  • the fluid having an oxygen concentration greater than the oxygen concentration present in drinking water is introduced in mixing reservoir 206 at a level lower than the level which collecting element 308 is placed at, particularly lower than the level of the outlet of collecting element 308.
  • the step of introducing drinking water and oxygen-enriching fluid occurs at different levels inside mixing reservoir 206; the drinking water can be for example introduced in the reservoir at a level higher than the level which the oxygen enrichment fluid is introduced at.
  • the step of introducing drinking water in mixing reservoir 206 is continuously executed by a supply circuit 201 directly connected to one or more water supply systems.
  • the process can provide the recirculation of at least a portion of the oxygen-enriched beverage exiting reservoir 206.
  • the recirculation provides to withdraw at least a part of the oxygen-enriched beverage exiting reservoir 206 and mixing it with at least a part of the drinking water from the source before water enters mixing reservoir 206.
  • the present invention enables to obtain one or more of the following advantages and to solve one or more of the problems of the prior art.
  • the invention provides an apparatus for dispensing oxygen-enriched beverages having a compact size and capable of being placed and used in a plurality of environments, both public and private.
  • the apparatus for dispensing beverages according to the invention has further an efficient layout enabling both to dispense oxygen-enriched beverages and their recirculation, alternatively or simultaneously.
  • the apparatus for dispensing beverages according to the present invention further ensures a good oxygenation efficiency. Further, the invention has a convenient use, is easily implementable and has a simple and economical implementation.
EP15156663.5A 2014-03-04 2015-02-26 Appareil et procédé associé pour distribuer des boissons oxygénées Withdrawn EP2921452A1 (fr)

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Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2337783A (en) * 1940-09-06 1943-12-28 Amp Corp Liquid carbonator
GB1371466A (en) * 1973-01-18 1974-10-23 Booth Dispensers Drink dispensing machines
US4140245A (en) * 1977-04-04 1979-02-20 Alco Foodservice Equipment Company Recirculating carbonator and liquid level control
GB2190853A (en) * 1984-04-25 1987-12-02 Int Distillers & Vintners Limi Apparatus for dissolving gas in liquids
DE19742301A1 (de) * 1997-05-06 1998-11-12 Hans Asal Vorrichtung zur Herstellung Gas-angereicherten Wassers
DE202009002027U1 (de) * 2009-04-02 2010-08-26 Melitta Haushaltsprodukte Gmbh & Co. Kg Vorrichtung zur Ausgabe von Getränken

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2337783A (en) * 1940-09-06 1943-12-28 Amp Corp Liquid carbonator
GB1371466A (en) * 1973-01-18 1974-10-23 Booth Dispensers Drink dispensing machines
US4140245A (en) * 1977-04-04 1979-02-20 Alco Foodservice Equipment Company Recirculating carbonator and liquid level control
GB2190853A (en) * 1984-04-25 1987-12-02 Int Distillers & Vintners Limi Apparatus for dissolving gas in liquids
DE19742301A1 (de) * 1997-05-06 1998-11-12 Hans Asal Vorrichtung zur Herstellung Gas-angereicherten Wassers
DE202009002027U1 (de) * 2009-04-02 2010-08-26 Melitta Haushaltsprodukte Gmbh & Co. Kg Vorrichtung zur Ausgabe von Getränken

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