EP3584215A1 - Drink dispensing device and method for operating same - Google Patents

Abstract

1. Beverage dispensing device (1) for dispensing carbonated beverages, with a beverage supply line (4), a CO ₂ supply line (5) and a mixing device (2), the CO <sub> 2 </ sub> feed line (5) comprises several feed lines (11) of a connection point (12) for a CO ₂ gas cylinder (13). A shut-off valve (14) which is connected to a control module (19) is arranged in each supply line (11). A pressure switch (15) or a pressure sensor is arranged between the connection point (12) and the shut-off valve (14) and is connected to the control module (19) and designed to detect predetermined CO ₂ gas pressures and to transmit corresponding signals to the control module (19). The control module (19) is designed to automatically control the opening state of the shut-off valves (14) as a function of the transmitted signals. The control module (19) is assigned a data interface which is designed to transmit data, in particular information about the fill levels of the CO ₂ gas bottles (13), to a variable number of receivers.

Description

The present invention relates to a beverage dispensing device for dispensing carbonated beverages, in particular sparkling water with a beverage feed, a CO ₂ feed and a mixing device, which is connected on its inlet side to the beverage feed and the CO ₂ feed and is set up to carry a supplied beverage to move the supplied CO ₂ and in this way to produce a carbonated beverage, the CO ₂ feed line comprising a main line and a plurality of feed lines opening into the main line, each of which has a connection point for a CO ₂ gas bottle.

The invention also relates to a method for operating such a beverage delivery device, in which a mixing device is supplied with a beverage via a beverage feed line and CO ₂ via a CO ₂ feed line, which has connection points to which a CO ₂ gas bottle is connected Mixing device, the supplied drink with the supplied CO ₂ and thus produces a carbonated drink.

Beverage dispensing devices, in particular water dispensing devices for dispensing drinking water, also known as drinking water dispensers, have long been known. Modern water dispensing devices can now not only dispense drinking water, but also add certain additives to drinking water before dispensing. The addition of carbon dioxide, that is, CO ₂ , is particularly popular, with a reaction of the carbon dioxide with Water carbon dioxide as a reaction product and thus carbonated drinking water is created. If other substances, such as sweeteners, flavors and / or colorants, are added to the drinking water, carbonated soft drinks, such as carbonated lemonades, can be produced. Carbonated drinks, especially carbonated drinking water, also called sparkling water, are perceived by most people as refreshing compared to non-carbonated drinks and are therefore popular. Such beverage dispensing devices comprise a beverage feed line, a CO ₂ feed line and a mixing device, which is connected on its inlet side to the beverage feed line and the CO ₂ feed line and is set up in order to displace a supplied beverage with supplied CO ₂ and in this way a carbonated beverage to create. In the case of a water dispensing device, both devices in which the beverage supply is connected to the public water supply network and devices with at least one drinking water storage container are known. As far as the CO ₂ supply is concerned, most beverage dispensing devices are supplied with CO ₂ not via permanently installed CO ₂ lines, but rather via exchangeable CO ₂ gas bottles.

If the beverage dispenser has a high removal rate, it may be necessary to have several CO ₂ gas bottles in reserve. In the case of beverage dispensing devices which allow operation with a plurality of CO ₂ gas bottles, the CO ₂ feed line therefore comprises a main line and a plurality of supply lines opening into the main line, each of which has a connection point for a CO ₂ gas bottle.

The previously known beverage dispensing devices cannot guarantee a continuous, smooth and safe supply of CO ₂ and thus of a carbonated beverage.

The invention is therefore based on the object of providing a beverage delivery device of the type mentioned at the outset with optimized operation. Furthermore, a corresponding method for operating a beverage delivery device is to be provided.

• a) dass in jeder Zuführungsleitung ein Absperrventil angeordnet ist, das mit einem Steuermodul verbunden und ausgebildet ist, um eine Fluidverbindung zwischen der Anschlussstelle der Zuführungsleitung und der Hauptleitung in einem geöffneten Zustand zu ermöglichen und in einem geschlossenen Zustand zu verhindern,
• b1) dass in jeder Zuführungsleitung zwischen der Anschlussstelle und dem Absperrventil der Zuführungsleitung ein Druckschalter angeordnet ist, der mit dem Steuermodul verbunden und ausgebildet ist, um vorgegebene CO₂-Gasdrücke, die an der Anschlussstelle und somit in der daran angeschlossenen CO₂-Gasflasche herrschen, zu erkennen und entsprechende Signale an das Steuermodul zu übermitteln, wobei das Steuermodul ausgebildet ist, um aus den Signalen, die von den Druckschaltern empfangen werden, auf den Füllstand der angeschlossenen CO₂-Gasflaschen zu schließen, oder
• b2) in jeder Zuführungsleitung zwischen der Anschlussstelle und dem Absperrventil der Zuführungsleitung ein Druckaufnehmer angeordnet ist, der mit dem Steuermodul verbunden und ausgebildet ist, um den an der Anschlussstelle und somit in der daran angeschlossenen CO₂-Gasflasche herrschenden CO₂-Gasdruck zu messen und Messwerte des CO₂-Gasdrucks an das Steuermodul zu übermitteln, wobei das Steuermodul ausgebildet ist, um unter den übermittelten Messwerten vorgegebene CO₂-Gasdrücke zu erkennen und auf den Füllstand der angeschlossenen CO₂-Gasflaschen zu schließen
• c) dass das Steuermodul ausgebildet ist, um in Abhängigkeit vom Füllstand der CO₂-Gasflaschen den Öffnungszustand der Absperrventile automatisch zu steuern, und
• d) dass dem Steuermodul eine Datenschnittstelle zugeordnet ist, die ausgebildet ist, um Daten, insbesondere Informationen über Füllstände der CO₂-Gasflaschen, an eine variable Anzahl von Empfängern zu übertragen.

This object is achieved according to the invention in a beverage delivery device of the type mentioned at the outset by

• a) that a shut-off valve is arranged in each supply line and is connected and designed to a control module in order to enable a fluid connection between the connection point of the supply line and the main line in an open state and to prevent it in a closed state,
• b1) that a pressure switch is arranged in each supply line between the connection point and the shut-off valve of the supply line, which pressure switch is connected and designed to the predetermined CO ₂ gas pressures prevailing at the connection point and thus in the CO ₂ gas bottle connected to it to recognize and to transmit corresponding signals to the control module, the control module being designed to infer the level of the connected CO ₂ gas bottles from the signals received by the pressure switches, or
• b2) a pressure sensor is arranged in each supply line between the connection point and the shut-off valve of the supply line, which pressure transducer is connected and designed to measure the CO ₂ gas pressure prevailing at the connection point and thus in the CO ₂ gas bottle connected to it, and Measured values of the CO ₂ gas pressure to transmit the control module, the control module being designed to recognize predetermined CO ₂ gas pressures from the transmitted measured values and to infer the fill level of the connected CO ₂ gas bottles
• c) that the control module is designed to automatically control the opening state of the shut-off valves as a function of the fill level of the CO ₂ gas bottles, and
• d) that the control module is assigned a data interface which is designed to transmit data, in particular information about fill levels of the CO ₂ gas bottles, to a variable number of receivers.

Accordingly, the object is generally achieved in a method of the type mentioned at the outset by monitoring the CO ₂ gas pressure prevailing at the connection points and automatically establishing a fluid connection between the respective connection points and the mixing device as a function of the prevailing CO ₂ gas pressures or is interrupted, and that information about the CO ₂ gas pressure prevailing at the connection points and thus the fill level of the CO ₂ gas bottles is transmitted to a variable number of receivers.

• a1) dass Druckschalter, die jeweils einer Anschlussstelle zugeordnet sind, vorgegebene CO₂-Gasdrücke, die an der jeweiligen Anschlussstelle und somit in der jeweiligen, daran angeschlossenen CO₂-Gasflasche herrschen, erkennen und entsprechende Signale an ein Steuermodul übermitteln und das Steuermodul aus den Signalen, die von den Druckschaltern empfangen werden, auf den Füllzustand der angeschlossenen CO₂-Gasflasche schließt, oder
• a2) Druckaufnehmer, die jeweils einer Anschlussstelle zugeordnet sind, den an der jeweiligen Anschlussstelle und somit in der jeweiligen, daran angeschlossenen CO₂-Gasflasche herrschenden CO₂-Gasdruck messen und Messwerte des CO₂-Gasdrucks an ein Steuermodul übermitteln und das Steuermodul unter den übermittelten Messwerten vorgegebene CO₂-Gasdrücke erkennt und auf den Füllzustand der angeschlossenen CO₂-Gasflaschen schließt,
• b) dass das Steuermodul in Abhängigkeit vom Füllstand der CO₂-Gasflaschen den Öffnungszustand von Absperrventilen, die jeweils einer Anschlussstelle zugeordnet sind, und somit eine Fluidverbindung zwischen den jeweiligen Anschlussstellen und der Mischvorrichtung automatisch steuert, und
• c) dass eine dem Steuermodul zugeordnete Datenschnittstelle Daten, insbesondere Informationen über Füllstände der CO₂-Gasflaschen, an eine variable Anzahl von Empfängern überträgt.

If a device according to the invention is used, the method according to the invention is characterized in that

• a1) that pressure switches, which are each assigned to a connection point, recognize predetermined CO ₂ gas pressures that prevail at the respective connection point and thus in the respective CO ₂ gas bottle connected to it, and transmit corresponding signals to a control module and the control module from the Signals received by the pressure switches the level of the connected CO ₂ gas bottle, or
• a2) pressure transducers, each associated with a connection point, the pressure prevailing at the respective connection point and thus in the respective, connected thereto CO ₂ gas cylinder CO measure ₂ gas pressure and measured values of the CO transmit ₂ gas pressure: to a control module and the control module under the transmitted measured values recognizes predetermined CO ₂ gas pressures and deduces the filling status of the connected CO ₂ gas bottles,
• b) that the control module automatically controls the opening state of shut-off valves, which are each assigned to a connection point, and thus a fluid connection between the respective connection points and the mixing device, depending on the fill level of the CO ₂ gas bottles, and
• c) that a data interface assigned to the control module transmits data, in particular information about fill levels of the CO ₂ gas cylinders, to a variable number of receivers.

Correspondingly, a drink is supplied to a mixing device via a drink supply line and CO ₂ via a CO ₂ supply line which has connection points to which a CO ₂ gas bottle is connected, and the mixing device transfers the supplied drink with the supplied CO ₂ and produces it this way a carbonated drink. According to the present invention, the CO ₂ gas pressures prevailing at the connection points are monitored in order to infer the filling status of the connected CO ₂ gas bottles and, depending on the respective gas pressure / filling level of the CO ₂ gas bottles, a fluid connection between the connection points and automatically create / maintain or interrupt / hold the mixing device. In addition, information about the fill levels of the CO ₂ gas cylinders is transmitted to a variable number of recipients. In other words, in the method according to the invention, several CO ₂ gas bottles are connected to the CO ₂ feed line, but initially only a fluid connection is established between one of these CO ₂ gas bottles and the mixing device. If the pressure in this CO ₂ gas bottle or in the associated connection point falls below a predetermined value, the fluid connection between this CO ₂ gas bottle and the mixing device is interrupted and a fluid connection is established between the mixing device and another full CO ₂ gas bottle. At the same time, a variable number of recipients receives a message. For example, the recipients can be informed that a CO ₂ gas bottle is empty and / or that a new or last CO ₂ gas bottle has been connected to the mixing device. This means that the empty CO ₂ gas bottle (s) can be replaced in good time.

In terms of construction, pressure switches, which are each assigned to a connection point, recognize predetermined CO ₂ gas pressures which prevail at the respective connection point and thus in the respective CO ₂ gas bottle connected to it, and transmit corresponding signals to a control module. The control module uses the signals received by the pressure switches to determine the filling level of the connected CO ₂ gas bottle and, depending on the filling level of the CO ₂ gas bottles, controls the opening status of shut-off valves, each of which is assigned to a connection point, and thus a fluid connection between the respective connection points and the mixing device automatically. A data interface assigned to the control module transmits data, in particular information about the fill levels of the CO ₂ gas bottles, to a variable number of receivers. Here, the data interface preferably comprises one GSM interface that transmits data via SMS. Advantageously, the data interface is preferably integrated directly in the control module, but can in principle also be located outside the control module. The data interface preferably transmits data wirelessly. Of course, the data interface can also transmit data via another medium, such as by email or instant messenger.

In the method according to the invention described above, as an alternative to the provision of pressure switches which recognize predetermined CO ₂ gas pressures and transmit corresponding signals to a control module, pressure transducers can also be provided, each of which is assigned to a connection point and that at the respective connection point and thus in the Measure the respective CO ₂ gas pressure connected to the respective CO ₂ gas cylinder and transmit measured values of the CO ₂ gas pressure to a control module. In this case, the control module recognizes predetermined CO ₂ gas pressures from the transmitted measured values and draws conclusions about the filling status of the connected CO ₂ gas bottles.

The invention is therefore based on the idea of intelligently controlling the switching on and off of a CO ₂ supply by means of the individual CO ₂ gas bottles. For this purpose, a shut-off valve and a pressure switch or a pressure sensor, which are connected to a control module, are arranged in each supply line. The intelligent beverage dispensing device according to the invention can recognize the filling status of its connected CO ₂ gas bottles and initiate appropriate measures depending on the respective filling status. For example, the solution according to the invention can be used to forward information that a CO ₂ gas bottle has been emptied to any number of recipients, such as an employee responsible for maintenance or an external service provider. This information transfer enables a timely response to to replace the empty CO ₂ gas bottle with a full CO ₂ gas bottle without a consumer who uses the beverage dispenser having to take action himself. In this way, a continuous and smooth supply of the beverage dispenser with CO _{2 is} ensured.

• a) dass in jeder Zuführungsleitung ein Absperrventil angeordnet ist, das mit einem Steuermodul verbunden und ausgebildet ist, um eine Fluidverbindung zwischen der Anschlussstelle der Zuführungsleitung und der Hauptleitung in einem geöffneten Zustand zu ermöglichen und in einem geschlossenen Zustand zu verhindern,
• b1) dass in jeder Zuführungsleitung zwischen der Anschlussstelle und dem Absperrventil der Zuführungsleitung ein Druckschalter angeordnet ist, der mit dem Steuermodul verbunden und ausgebildet ist, um vorgegebene CO₂-Gasdrücke, die an der Anschlussstelle und somit in der daran angeschlossenen CO₂-Gasflasche herrschen, zu erkennen und entsprechende Signale an das Steuermodul zu übermitteln, wobei das Steuermodul ausgebildet ist, um aus den Signalen, die von den Druckschaltern empfangen werden, auf den Füllstand der angeschlossenen CO₂-Gasflaschen zu schließen oder,
• b2) in jeder Zuführungsleitung zwischen der Anschlussstelle und dem Absperrventil der Zuführungsleitung ein Druckaufnehmer angeordnet ist, der mit dem Steuermodul verbunden und ausgebildet ist, um den an der Anschlussstelle und somit in der daran angeschlossenen CO₂-Gasflasche herrschenden CO₂-Gasdruck zu messen und Messwerte des CO₂-Gasdrucks an das Steuermodul zu übermitteln, wobei das Steuermodul ausgebildet ist, um unter den übermittelten Messwerten vorgegebene CO₂-Gasdrücke zu erkennen und auf den Füllstand der angeschlossenen CO₂-Gasflaschen zu schließen,
• c) dass das Steuermodul ausgebildet ist, um in Abhängigkeit vom Füllstand der CO₂-Gasflaschen den Öffnungszustand der Absperrventile automatisch zu steuern, und
• d) dass das Steuermodul ausgebildet ist, um ein oder mehrere der Absperrventile der Zuführungsleitungen nur dann zu öffnen oder geöffnet zu lassen, wenn ein in der Getränkezuleitung angeordnetes Getränke-Absperrventil geöffnet ist, um der Getränkeabgebvorrichtung ein kohlensäurehaltiges Getränk zu entnehmen.

The above-mentioned object is also achieved in a beverage delivery device of the type mentioned at the outset,

• a) that a shut-off valve is arranged in each supply line and is connected and designed to a control module in order to enable a fluid connection between the connection point of the supply line and the main line in an open state and to prevent it in a closed state,
• b1) that a pressure switch is arranged in each supply line between the connection point and the shut-off valve of the supply line, which pressure switch is connected and designed to the predetermined CO ₂ gas pressures prevailing at the connection point and thus in the CO ₂ gas bottle connected to it to recognize and transmit corresponding signals to the control module, the control module being designed to infer the level of the connected CO ₂ gas bottles from the signals received by the pressure switches, or
• b2) a pressure sensor is arranged in each supply line between the connection point and the shut-off valve of the supply line, which pressure transducer is connected and designed to measure the CO ₂ gas pressure prevailing at the connection point and thus in the CO ₂ gas bottle connected to it, and Measured values of the CO ₂ gas pressure to transmit the control module, the control module being designed to recognize predetermined CO ₂ gas pressures from the transmitted measured values and to infer the fill level of the connected CO ₂ gas bottles,
• c) that the control module is designed to automatically control the opening state of the shut-off valves as a function of the fill level of the CO ₂ gas bottles, and
• d) that the control module is designed to open or leave one or more of the shut-off valves of the supply lines only when a beverage shut-off valve arranged in the beverage feed line is open in order to remove a carbonated beverage from the beverage dispensing device.

Accordingly, the object is further achieved in a method of the type mentioned at the outset in that the CO ₂ gas pressure prevailing at the connection points is monitored and, depending on the prevailing CO ₂ gas pressures, a fluid connection between the respective connection points and the mixing device is automatically established or is interrupted, and that a connection between the connection points and the mixing device is only established or maintained when a beverage shut-off valve arranged in the beverage supply line is open.

• a1) dass Druckschalter, die jeweils einer Anschlussstelle zugeordnet sind, vorgegebene CO₂-Gasdrücke, die an der jeweiligen Anschlussstelle und somit in der jeweiligen, daran angeschlossenen CO₂-Gasflasche herrschen, erkennen und entsprechende Signale an ein Steuermodul übermitteln und das Steuermodul aus den Signalen, die von den Druckschaltern empfangen werden, auf den Füllzustand der angeschlossenen CO₂-Gasflasche schließt, oder
• a2) Druckaufnehmer, die jeweils einer Anschlussstelle zugeordnet sind, den an der jeweiligen Anschlussstelle und somit in der jeweiligen, daran angeschlossenen CO₂-Gasflasche herrschenden CO₂-Gasdruck messen und Messwerte des CO₂-Gasdrucks an ein Steuermodul übermitteln und das Steuermodul unter den übermittelten Messwerten vorgegebene CO₂-Gasdrücke erkennt und auf den Füllzustand der angeschlossenen CO₂-Gasflaschen schließt,
• b) dass das Steuermodul in Abhängigkeit vom Füllstand der CO₂-Gasflaschen den Öffnungszustand von Absperrventilen, die jeweils einer Anschlussstelle zugeordnet sind, und somit eine Fluidverbindung zwischen den jeweiligen Anschlussstellen und der Mischvorrichtung automatisch steuert, und
• c) dass das Steuermodul ein oder mehrere der Absperrventile, die den Anschlussstellen zugeordnet sind, nur dann öffnet oder geöffnet lässt, wenn ein in der Getränkezuleitung angeordnetes Getränke-Absperrventil geöffnet ist, um der Getränkeabgabevorrichtung ein kohlensäurehaltiges Getränk zu entnehmen.

When the aforementioned beverage dispenser according to the present invention is used, the method is characterized in that

• a1) that pressure switches, which are each assigned to a connection point, predetermined CO ₂ gas pressures, which are at the respective connection point and thus prevail in the respective connected CO ₂ gas bottle, recognize and transmit appropriate signals to a control module and the control module uses the signals received by the pressure switches to determine the filling level of the connected CO ₂ gas bottle, or
• a2) pressure transducers, each associated with a connection point, the pressure prevailing at the respective connection point and thus in the respective, connected thereto CO ₂ gas cylinder CO measure ₂ gas pressure and measured values of the CO transmit ₂ gas pressure: to a control module and the control module under the transmitted measured values recognizes predetermined CO ₂ gas pressures and deduces the filling status of the connected CO ₂ gas bottles,
• b) that the control module automatically controls the opening state of shut-off valves, which are each assigned to a connection point, and thus a fluid connection between the respective connection points and the mixing device, depending on the fill level of the CO ₂ gas bottles, and
• c) that the control module opens or leaves one or more of the shut-off valves which are assigned to the connection points only when a beverage shut-off valve arranged in the beverage feed line is opened in order to remove a carbonated beverage from the beverage dispensing device.

In this configuration, the control module only opens or leaves one or more shut-off valves which are assigned to the connection points when a beverage shut-off valve arranged in the beverage feed line is open to remove a carbonated beverage from the beverage dispenser.

Since one or more shut-off valves of the supply lines are only open when fizzy drinks are withdrawn, an uncontrolled outflow of CO ₂ gas, which is a hazardous substance, is prevented. In this way, a safe supply of the beverage dispenser with CO _{2 is} ensured.

As already explained in detail above, pressure sensors can also be provided or provided as an alternative to the pressure switches in the two last-described solutions according to the invention.

The solutions according to the invention described above can have one or more of the following optional features:
According to one embodiment of the invention, the connection point of a supply line is formed at the free line end of the supply line.

The control module is expediently assigned display means which are designed to display fill levels of the CO ₂ gas bottles. The display means can be provided in the form of LEDs, which are designed to visually represent fill levels or fill states of the CO ₂ gas bottles. A display, for example an LCD display, can also be provided as display means, on which the fill levels can be graphically represented. For example, a kind of bar representation of the fill levels of the individual CO ₂ gas bottles is conceivable. However, an indication can also be given which only enables a conclusion to be drawn as to whether a respective CO ₂ gas bottle is full or empty. Here, the display means are preferably integrated in the control module, for example attached to a housing of the control module.

A memory is advantageously assigned to the control module and the control module is designed to store the occupancy of the last actively used connection point or CO ₂ gas bottle in the memory in the event of a power failure or a brief interruption in the power supply, and at a later point in time as soon as the power failure fixed or the power supply restored, continue operating the water dispenser with the last opened CO ₂ gas bottle. The memory is preferably integrated in the control module. This memory function of the control module ensures that the content of the last used CO ₂ gas bottle is completely used up.

The feed lines can open into the main line of the CO ₂ feed line at spaced locations.

At least one of the shut-off valves is preferably a solenoid valve.

A check valve is expediently arranged in each feed line and is designed to block a fluid flow in the direction of the connection point. The check valve is preferably arranged in the feed line between the shut-off valve and the mouth of the feed line in the main line of the CO ₂ feed line. Alternatively or additionally, a main line check valve can be arranged in the main line of the CO ₂ supply line between the mixing device and the supply line which is closest to the mixing device and is designed to block a fluid flow in the direction of this supply line. The check valves prevent water from entering the CO ₂ gas cylinders.

If pressure switches are provided in the supply lines, these are preferably designed to transmit a corresponding signal to the control module when the specified minimum CO ₂ gas pressure is undershot and / or the specified maximum CO ₂ gas pressure is exceeded. The control module can be designed to conclude from a signal that was transmitted to the control module by a pressure switch when the pressure falls below a predetermined minimum CO ₂ gas pressure that a control unit is connected to the connection point of the supply line in which the pressure switch is arranged CO ₂ gas bottle is empty. Likewise, the control module can be designed to, after recognizing that a CO ₂ gas bottle in use is empty, the shut-off valve, which is arranged in the same supply line as the pressure switch, from which the signal falls below the predetermined minimum CO ₂ - Gas pressure has been transmitted to close and interrupt a fluid connection between the connection point of the supply line and the main line and automatically open the shut-off valve, which is arranged in another supply line, at whose connection point a full CO ₂ gas bottle is connected, and a fluid connection between the junction of the other supply line and the main line. This automatically switches to the next full CO ₂ gas bottle in the row. Furthermore, the control module can be designed to conclude from a signal that was transmitted from a pressure switch to the control module when a predetermined maximum CO ₂ gas pressure is exceeded that there is a connection to the supply line in which the pressure switch is arranged connected CO ₂ gas bottle is full. The control module can thus immediately integrate a newly connected CO ₂ gas bottle into the system and take it into account as a CO ₂ source in the future.

If pressure transducers are provided in the supply lines instead of pressure switches, the control module is preferably designed to recognize when the CO ₂ gas pressures measured and transmitted by a pressure transducer fall below a predetermined minimum CO ₂ gas pressure, and to conclude from this that an on the connection point of the supply line in which the pressure transducer is arranged, connected CO ₂ gas bottle is empty. The control module can furthermore be designed to, after recognizing that a CO ₂ gas bottle in use is empty, the shut-off valve, which is arranged in the same supply line as the pressure sensor, whose measured CO ₂ gas pressures meet the predetermined minimum CO ₂ - Fall below gas pressure, close and interrupt a fluid connection between the connection point of the supply line and the main line and automatically open the shut-off valve, which is arranged in another supply line, to whose connection point a full CO ₂ gas bottle is connected, and a fluid connection between the To allow connection of the other supply line and the main line. The control module can furthermore be designed to recognize when the CO ₂ gas pressures measured and transmitted by a pressure sensor exceed a predetermined maximum CO ₂ gas pressure, and to conclude from this that a connection to the supply line in which the pressure sensor is arranged, the connected CO ₂ gas bottle is full.

Advantageously, the control module is designed in such a way that, after a recognition that a CO ₂ gas bottle newly connected to a connection point of a supply line is full, that the newly connected full CO ₂ gas bottle is not used at least until an opened and closed one the CO ₂ gas bottle in use is completely empty. Because the beverage dispenser first empties an opened, active CO ₂ gas bottle, even if a new full one CO ₂ gas bottle was installed, the device works in a resource-saving manner. Furthermore, any number of CO ₂ gas bottles can be exchanged without disrupting the operation of the device and to guarantee a smooth supply of CO ₂ to the device.

Figur 1

eine erfindungsgemäße Getränkeabgabevorrichtung gemäß einer Ausführungsform der vorliegenden Erfindung.

Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment of the beverage dispensing device according to the invention with reference to the accompanying drawing. In it is:

Figure 1

an inventive beverage delivery device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The Figure 1 shows a beverage delivery device 1 according to the invention in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The beverage dispensing device 1 comprises a mixing device 2, which is connected on its inlet side 3 to a beverage feed line 4 and a CO ₂ feed line 5 and on its outlet side 6 via a sparkling beverage line 7 to a dispensing device 8. A beverage shut-off valve 9 in the form of a solenoid valve is arranged in the beverage feed line 4. The CO ₂ feed line 5 comprises a main line 10 and two feed lines 11 opening into the main line 10 at spaced-apart locations, at the free line ends of which a connection point 12 is provided, to which a CO ₂ gas bottle 13 is connected. The feed line 11, which in the Figure 1 is closest to the mixing device 2, is referred to below as the first feed line 11. Accordingly, the supply line 11, which in the Figure 1 is further away from the mixing device 2 and is arranged to the left of the first feed line 11, hereinafter referred to as the second feed line 11.

A shut-off valve 14 in the form of a solenoid valve, a pressure switch 15 and a check valve 16 are arranged in each feed line 11, the pressure switch 15 being located between the connection point 12 and the shut-off valve 14 of the feed line 11 and the check valve 16 between the shut-off valve 14 and the mouth 17 of the feed line 11 is positioned in the main line 10 of the CO ₂ feed line 5. A main line check valve 18 is arranged in the main line 10 of the CO ₂ feed line 5 between the mixing device 2 and the first feed line 11.

The shut-off valves 14, the pressure switches 15, the beverage shut-off valve 9 and the dispensing device 8 are each connected to a control module 19. Even if these connections are shown in the drawing as cable connections, this can alternatively or additionally also involve wireless connections. In other embodiments not shown here, the control module 19 can also be connected to further components, such as the mixing device 2. In the control module 19, a data interface in the form of a GSM interface, which is not shown in the drawing, display means 20 in the form of LEDs 20a and a small display 20b, and a memory, which is not shown in the drawing, are integrated.

During the operation of the beverage dispensing device 1, the mixing device _{2 is} supplied with a drink, in this case drinking water, via the beverage feed line 4 and CO ₂ via the CO ₂ feed line 5, and the mixing device ₂ displaces the supplied drinking water with the supplied CO ₂ and generates it Wise carbonated drinking water. According to the invention, the control module 19 opens for safety reasons only in the case of removal, ie when the beverage dispensing device 1 is drawn off by the dispensing device 8 sparkling water, ie carbonated drinking water, and that Beverage shut-off valve 9 is opened accordingly, the shut-off valve 14 in the first feed line 11 of the CO ₂ feed line 5 and enables a fluid connection between the connection point 12 of the first feed line 11 and the main line 10 of the CO ₂ feed line 5 or the mixing device 2.

When disposed in the first supply line 11 pressure switch 15 detects that at the associated connection point 12 and thus in the connected CO ₂ gas cylinder 13 prevailing CO ₂ gas pressure a predetermined minimum CO ₂ gas pressure falls below the pressure switch transmits 15 a corresponding Signal to the control module 19. The control module 19 concludes from this transmitted signal that a CO ₂ gas bottle 13 connected to the connection point 12 of the first supply line 11 and currently in use is empty. The control module 19 then closes the shut-off valve 14 of the first feed line 11 and thus interrupts a fluid connection between the connection point 12 and the main line 10 or the mixing device 2. Furthermore, the control module 19 automatically opens the shut-off valve 14 of the second feed line 11, at the connection point 12 thereof a full CO ₂ gas bottle 3 is connected, thus enabling a fluid connection between this connection point 12 and the main line 10 or the mixing device 2. Furthermore, the control module 19 sends an SMS via its integrated GSM interface with an information that the CO ₂ gas bottle 13 connected to the connection point 12 of the first feed line 11 is empty, to a variable number of receivers, in the present case to a plurality of mobile phone numbers from responsible service technicians. The receivers are not shown in the drawing. Of course, the information about the empty CO ₂ gas bottle 13 can also be sent to the recipient via any other medium, such as via email or instant messenger, or via any other data transmission technology be transmitted. A service technician then exchanges the empty one with a full CO ₂ gas bottle 13, ie he connects a full CO ₂ gas bottle 13 to the connection point 12 of the first supply line 11. In the Figure 1 is a new full CO ₂ gas bottle 13, which is available as a reserve, shown as an example on the far left.

The arranged in the first supply line 11 pressure switch 15 detects that at the associated connection point 12 and thus in the connected new full CO ₂ gas cylinder 13 prevailing CO ₂ gas pressure a predetermined maximum CO exceeds ₂ gas pressure, and transmits a corresponding signal to the control module 19. The control module 19 concludes from this transmitted signal that the connected CO ₂ gas bottle 13 is full, and has the effect that the full CO ₂ gas bottle 13 is not used at least until the other connected CO ₂ gas bottle 13, which has already begun and is in use, is completely empty. In this way, particularly economical operation of the beverage dispensing device 1 is ensured.

The filling states of the CO ₂ gas bottles 13, that is to say "bottle full" or "bottle empty", are shown optically during operation of the beverage dispensing device 1 both via the two LEDs 20a and via the display 20b of the display device 20. The check valves 16 and the main line check valve 18 in the CO ₂ feed line 5 block a fluid flow in the direction of the connection points 12, thereby ensuring safe operation. Through the memory integrated in the control module 19, the control module 19 can save the occupancy of the last active connection point 12 or CO ₂ gas bottle 13 in the memory in the event of a power failure or a brief interruption of the power supply and at a later point in time as soon as the power failure has been rectified or the Power supply has been restored, continue the operation of the beverage dispenser 1 with the last opened CO ₂ gas bottle 13.

The control module 19 thus controls the opening state of individual shut-off valves 14 automatically as a function of the filling state of the CO ₂ gas bottles 13 and / or depending on the opening state of the beverage shut-off valve 9 and automatically transmits information relating to the filling levels of the connected CO ₂ gas bottles 13 to a variable one Number of recipients. The beverage dispensing device 1 according to the invention thus ensures a continuous, smooth and safe supply of CO ₂ and thus of carbonated beverage, in particular carbonated drinking water.

In an alternative embodiment, which is not shown in the drawing, a pressure sensor is arranged in each supply line 11 instead of a pressure switch 15 at exactly the same location within a supply line 11 as the pressure switch 15. Such a pressure transducer measures the at the respective connection point 12, and thus in the connected CO ₂ gas cylinder 13 prevailing CO ₂ gas pressure and transmitted measured values of the CO ₂ gas pressure: to the control module 19. The control module 19 then recognizes among the transmitted measured values predetermined CO ₂ gas pressures and deduces the fill levels of the connected CO ₂ gas bottles 13. In principle, a mixture of pressure switches 15 and pressure sensors is also conceivable. Then 11 pressure switches 15 would be arranged in some supply lines and 11 pressure sensors in the remaining supply lines.

It goes without saying that the mixing device 2 can also be any other beverage, such as a soft drink or a lemonade, via the beverage feed 4 can be fed to produce any other carbonated beverage.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Beverage dispenser

2

mixing device

3

inlet side

4

beverage supply line

5

CO ₂ supply

6

outlet

7

Carbonated beverage line

8th

tapping device

9

Beverage-off valve

10

main

11

feed pipe

12

junction

13

CO ₂ gas bottle

14

shut-off valve

15

pressure switch

16

check valve

17

muzzle

18

Main check valve

19

control module

20

display means

20a

LED

20b

display

Claims (15)

Beverage dispensing device (1) for dispensing carbonated beverages, in particular sparkling water with a beverage feed (4), a CO ₂ feed (5) and a mixing device (2), on its inlet side (3) with the beverage feed (4) and the CO ₂ supply line (5) is connected and set up in order to offset a supplied drink with supplied CO ₂ and in this way to produce a carbonated drink, the CO ₂ supply line (5) having one main line (10) and several in the main line (10) opening supply lines (11), at each of which a connection point (12) for a CO ₂ gas bottle (13) is provided, characterized in that a) that in each feed line (11), in particular a shut-off valve (14), which is connected to a control module (19) and is designed to provide a fluid connection between the connection point (12) of the feed line (11) and the main line, is arranged (10) enable in an open state and prevent in a closed state, b1) that a pressure switch (15) is arranged in each feed line (11) between the connection point (12) and the shut-off valve (14) of the feed line (11), said pressure switch (15) being connected to the control module (19) and designed for predetermined CO ₂ -Gas pressures, which prevail at the connection point (12) and thus in the connected CO ₂ gas bottle (13), and to transmit corresponding signals to the control module (19), the control module (19) being designed to the signals received by the pressure switches (15) to infer the level of the connected CO ₂ gas bottles (13), or b2) a pressure sensor is arranged in each supply line (11) between the connection point (12) and the shut-off valve (14) of the supply line (11). The pressure sensor is connected to the control module (19) and is designed to provide the pressure at the connection point (12) to measure and thus prevailing in the connected CO ₂ gas cylinder (13) CO ₂ gas pressure and the CO to transmit measured values ₂ gas pressure: to the control module (19), wherein the control module (19) is formed to among the transmitted measured values to recognize predetermined CO ₂ gas pressures and to infer the level of the connected CO ₂ gas bottles (13), c) that the control module (19) is designed to automatically control the opening state of the shut-off valves (14) as a function of the fill level of the CO ₂ gas bottles (13), and d) that the control module (19) is assigned a data interface which is designed to transmit data, in particular information about fill levels of the CO ₂ gas cylinders (13), to a variable number of receivers. Beverage delivery device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the data interface in particular comprises and is designed to transmit data by SMS, email and / or instant messenger. Beverage delivery device (1) with a beverage feed line (4), a CO ₂ feed line (5) and a mixing device (2), which is connected on its inlet side (3) to the beverage feed line (4) and the CO ₂ feed line (5) and is set up to add CO ₂ to a supplied drink and in this way to produce a carbonated drink, wherein the CO ₂ feed line (5) comprises a main line (10) and a plurality of feed lines (11) opening into the main line (10), each of which has a connection point (12) for a CO ₂ gas bottle (13), in particular according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in a) that in each supply line (11) a shut-off valve (14) is arranged, which is connected to a control module (19) and designed to establish a fluid connection between the connection point (12) of the supply line (11) and the main line (10) in enable an open state and prevent it in a closed state, b1) that a pressure switch (15) is arranged in each feed line (11) between the connection point (12) and the shut-off valve (14) of the feed line (11), said pressure switch (15) being connected to the control module (19) and designed for predetermined CO ₂ -Gas pressures, which prevail at the connection point (12) and thus in the connected CO ₂ gas bottle (13), and to transmit corresponding signals to the control module (19), the control module (19) being designed to the signals received by the pressure switches (15) to infer the level of the connected CO ₂ gas bottles (13), or b2) a pressure sensor is arranged in each supply line (11) between the connection point (12) and the shut-off valve (14) of the supply line (11). The pressure sensor is connected to the control module (19) and is designed to provide the pressure at the connection point (12) to measure and thus prevailing in the connected CO ₂ gas cylinder (13) CO ₂ gas pressure and the CO to transmit measured values ₂ gas pressure: to the control module (19), wherein the control module (19) is formed to among the transmitted measured values to recognize predetermined CO ₂ gas pressures and to infer the level of the connected CO ₂ gas bottles (13), c) that the control module (19) is designed to automatically control the opening state of the shut-off valves (14) as a function of the fill level of the CO ₂ gas bottles (13), and d) that the control module (19) is designed to open or leave one or more of the shut-off valves (14) of the feed lines (11) only when a beverage shut-off valve (9) arranged in the beverage feed line (4) is opened is to remove a carbonated beverage from the beverage dispenser (1). Beverage dispensing device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control module (19) is assigned display means (20), in particular in the form of LEDs (20a) which are designed to display fill levels of the CO ₂ gas bottles (13). Beverage dispensing device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a memory is assigned to the control module (19) and the control module (19) is designed so that in the event of a power failure or a brief interruption in the power supply, the occupancy of the last active connection point ( 12) or CO ₂ gas bottle (13) in the memory, and at a later point in time as soon as the power failure has been rectified or the power supply has been restored, the operation of the beverage dispensing device (1) with the last opened CO ₂ gas bottle (13 ) to continue. Beverage delivery device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a check valve (16) is arranged in each feed line (11) and is designed to block a fluid flow in the direction of the connection point (12), in particular the check valve ( 16) in the supply line (11) between the shut-off valve (14) and the mouth (17) of the feed line (11) in the main line (10) of the CO ₂ feed line (5) is arranged. Beverage delivery device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the main line (10) of the CO ₂ feed line (5) between the mixing device (2) and the feed line (11) which is closest to the mixing device (2) , a main line check valve (18) is arranged, which is designed to block fluid flow in the direction of this supply line (11) and / or in each supply line (11) a pressure switch (15) is arranged, which is designed to to transmit a corresponding signal to the control module (19) if a predetermined minimum CO ₂ gas pressure is undershot and / or if a predetermined maximum CO ₂ gas pressure is exceeded,
The control module (19) in particular is designed to conclude from a signal that was transmitted to the control module (19) by a pressure switch (15) when the pressure drops below a predetermined minimum CO ₂ gas pressure that a connection to the connection point ( 12) the feed line (11) in which the pressure switch (15) is arranged, the connected CO ₂ gas bottle (13) is empty, and
Preferably, the control module (19) is designed to, after detecting that a CO ₂ gas bottle (13) in use is empty, the shut-off valve (14), which is arranged in the same supply line (11) as the pressure switch (15 ), from which the signal was transmitted when the predetermined minimum CO ₂ gas pressure was undershot, and to interrupt a fluid connection between the connection point (12) of the supply line (11) and the main line (10) and automatically open the shut-off valve (14), which is arranged in another supply line (11), at the connection point (12) of which a full CO ₂ gas bottle (13) is connected, and a fluid connection between the connection point (12) of the other Allow feed line (11) and the main line (10). Beverage delivery device (1) according to Claim 7, characterized in that the control module (19) is designed to transmit a signal which was transmitted from a pressure switch (15) to the control module (19) when a predetermined maximum CO ₂ gas pressure was exceeded, to conclude that a CO ₂ gas bottle (13) connected to the connection point (12) of the supply line (11) in which the pressure switch (15) is arranged is full. Beverage dispenser (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that a pressure sensor is arranged in each supply line (11) and the control module (19) is designed to detect when the CO ₂ gas pressures measured and transmitted by a pressure sensor have a predetermined minimum Below the CO ₂ gas pressure, and to conclude from this that a CO ₂ gas bottle (13) connected to the connection point (12) of the supply line (11) in which the pressure sensor is arranged is empty, in particular the control module (19) is designed, after a detection that a CO ₂ gas bottle (13) in use is empty, the shut-off valve (14), which is arranged in the same supply line (11) as the pressure sensor, whose measured CO ₂ gas pressures fall below the predetermined minimum CO ₂ gas pressure, close and a fluid connection between the connection point (12) of the supply line (11) and the main line (10 ) to interrupt and automatically the shut-off valve (14), which is arranged in another supply line (11), at its connection point (12) a full CO ₂ gas bottle (13) is connected to open and allow a fluid connection between the connection point (12) of the other supply line (11) and the main line (10). Method for operating a beverage delivery device (1) in particular according to one of the preceding claims, in which a mixing device (2) has a beverage via a beverage feed line (4) and CO ₂ via a CO ₂ feed line (5) which has connection points (12), to each of which a CO ₂ gas bottle (13) is connected, is supplied and the mixing device ( ₂₎ mixes the supplied drink with the supplied CO ₂ and in this way produces a carbonated drink, characterized in that the at the connection points (12 ) the prevailing CO ₂ gas pressure is monitored, and depending on the prevailing CO ₂ gas pressures, a fluid connection between the respective connection points (12) and the mixing device (2) is automatically established or interrupted, and that information about the at the connection points (12 ) prevailing CO ₂ gas pressure and thus the filling level of the CO ₂ gas cylinders to a variable number of recipients w ill. A method according to claim 10, characterized in a1) that pressure switches (15), each associated with a connection point (12), recognize predetermined CO ₂ gas pressures which prevail at the respective connection point (12) and thus in the respective CO ₂ gas bottle (13) connected to it and transmit corresponding signals to a control module (19) and the control module (19) deduces from the signals received by the pressure switches (15) that the connected CO ₂ gas bottle (13) is full, or a2) pressure transducers, each associated with a connection point (12), the pressure prevailing at the respective connecting point (12) and thus in the respective, connected thereto CO ₂ gas cylinder (13) CO measure ₂ gas pressure and measured values of the CO ₂ gas pressure: transmit to a control module (19) and the control module (19) recognizes predetermined CO ₂ gas pressures from the transmitted measured values and concludes that the connected CO ₂ gas cylinders (13) are full, b) that the control module (19), depending on the level of the CO ₂ gas bottles (13), the opening state of shut-off valves (14), each of which is assigned to a connection point (12), and thus a fluid connection between the respective connection points (12) and controls the mixing device (2) automatically, and c) that a data interface assigned to the control module (19) transmits data, in particular information about fill levels of the CO ₂ gas bottles (13), to a variable number of receivers. A method according to claim 11, characterized in that the data interface comprises in particular a GSM interface and transmits data by SMS, email and / or instant messenger. Method for operating a beverage delivery device (1) in particular according to one of Claims 1 to 9, in which a mixing device (2) has a drink via a beverage feed line (4) and CO ₂ via a CO ₂ feed line (5), the connection points (12) to which a CO ₂ gas bottle (13) is connected, is supplied and the mixing device ( ₂₎ mixes the supplied drink with the supplied CO ₂ and in this way produces a carbonated drink, in particular according to one of claims 22 to 24 , characterized in that the at the connection points (12) prevailing CO ₂ gas pressure is monitored, and depending on the prevailing CO ₂ gas pressures a fluid connection between the respective connection points (12) and the mixing device (2) is automatically established or interrupted, and that a connection between the Connection points and the mixing device is only established or maintained when a beverage shut-off valve (9) arranged in the beverage supply line is open. A method according to claim 13, characterized in that a1) that pressure switches (15), each associated with a connection point (12), recognize predetermined CO ₂ gas pressures which prevail at the respective connection point (12) and thus in the respective CO ₂ gas bottle (13) connected to it and transmit corresponding signals to a control module (19) and the control module (19) deduces from the signals received by the pressure switches (15) that the connected CO ₂ gas bottle (13) is full, or a2) pressure transducers, each associated with a connection point (12), the pressure prevailing at the respective connecting point (12) and thus in the respective, connected thereto CO ₂ gas cylinder (13) CO measure ₂ gas pressure and measured values of the CO ₂ gas pressure: transmit to a control module (19) and the control module (19) recognizes predetermined CO ₂ gas pressures from the transmitted measured values and concludes that the connected CO ₂ gas cylinders (13) are full, b) that the control module (19), depending on the fill level of the CO ₂ gas bottles (13), the opening state of shut-off valves (14), each of which is assigned to a connection point (12), and thus a fluid connection between the respective connection points (12) and the mixing device (2) automatically controls, and c) that the control module (19) only opens or leaves one or more of the shut-off valves (14) assigned to the connection points (12) when a beverage shut-off valve (9) arranged in the beverage feed line (4) is open to remove a carbonated beverage from the beverage dispenser (1). Method according to one of claims 10 to 14, characterized in that drinking water or drinking water mixed with at least one additive is fed to the mixing device (2) via the beverage feed line (4), and / or that the control module (19) in a memory associated therewith a power failure or a short-term interruption of the power supply saves the occupancy of the last active connection point (12) or CO ₂ gas bottle (13), and at a later time, as soon as the power failure has been rectified or the power supply has been restored, the operation of the beverage dispenser ( 1) continues with the last opened CO ₂ gas bottle (13), and / or that at least one check valve (16) in the CO ₂ feed line (5) blocks a fluid flow in the direction of at least one connection point (12), and / or that a pressure switch (15), which is assigned to a connection point (12), when the pressure drops below a predetermined minimum CO ₂ gas pressure and / or if a predetermined maximum CO ₂ gas pressure is exceeded, a corresponding signal is transmitted to the control module (19).

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