WO2017012992A1

WO2017012992A1 - Device for introducing gases into liquids

Info

Publication number: WO2017012992A1
Application number: PCT/EP2016/066812
Authority: WO
Inventors: Roman Mayer; Cornelius Boerner
Original assignee: Wmf Group Gmbh
Priority date: 2015-07-22
Filing date: 2016-07-14
Publication date: 2017-01-26
Also published as: DE102015213843A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for introducing gases (2) into liquids (3), in particular for introducing CO₂(2') into water (3'), having the following components: - a gas pressure container (4) which contains the gas (2) to be introduced, - a liquid pressure container (5) which contains the liquid (3) and an inlet (6) of which is communicatively connected to the gas pressure container (4) via a first valve device (7), and - a second valve device (8) which is communicatively connected to an outlet (9) of the liquid pressure container (5) and via which the liquid (3) enriched with gas (2) is dispensed into a separate beverage container (10), wherein - a pressurized gas cushion (12) can be introduced into the liquid pressure container (5) via the first valve device (7), and the gas cushion is then available as a transport medium for the liquid (3) enriched with gas (2).

Description

Device for introducing gases into liquids

The present invention relates to a device for introducing gases into liquids, in particular for introducing CO ₂ into water, according to the preamble of claim 1.

Devices for introducing CO ₂ into water, so-called drinking water bubblers, have recently gained increasing popularity, since in this way home-made sodas are produced comparatively inexpensively compared with carbonic acid or CO ₂ added mineral water, and also the amount of CO introduced ₂ can be adjusted individually. In particular, so-called table-top devices, which do not require a fixed water connection, are particularly popular. To carbonize the water thereby CO _{2 is introduced} directly to the desired degree in the water, for which first the water must be filled in a special, pressure-resistant vessel. The CO ₂ usually comes from a CO ₂ pressure vessel, which also provides the energy required for the introduction of CO ₂ in the water. A disadvantage of this solution, however, is that the carbonation and the output can only be done in designated vessels. Should another vessel be preferred, such as a glass or carafe, the carbonated water must first be transferred. Another disadvantage of such table-top devices is that immediately after carbonization, the pressure must be released, even if you only want to drink a small part of the enriched with CO ₂ water. As a result, at least part of the CO _{2 is} lost, which could still diffuse into the water at a longer exposure time. The immediate release of pressure also starts the solution of the free carbon dioxide from the water, so that after some time completely removed from the water and thus eliminates the effervescence. The free carbonic acid describes the proportion of the dissolved CO2 as well as the proportion of the CO2 reacted with water to carbonic acid H2CO3.

In contrast to the table-top units described in the previous paragraph, there are also appliances that have a fixed water connection and therefore have to be installed first. Further features of this type of product are usually an active cooling, a filtration and possibly a pump for the delivery / output of the water, which in turn requires a connection to the mains.

Another alternative is so-called stand-alone devices, which also usually have a fixed water connection, a cooling and a pump and in particular to commercial catering facilities, such as canteens or refectories, aimed. A disadvantage of the devices with fixed water connection are required for this high technical complexity and also the relatively expensive embodiment of these devices.

From WO 2013/124234 A1, a generic device for introducing gases into liquids, in particular for introducing CO2 into water, is known.

From EP 0 000 813 B1 a portable device for producing carbonated water with a drop container and a pressure vessel is known, which at the bottom provided with a shut-off inlet for the entry of fresh water from the case, in the upper part with a shut-off provided with a CO2 enriched water outlet and an injection mouthpiece for introducing CO2 under pressure. The valves provided at the inlet and at the outlet each have a piston, which are connected to a rigid thrust member and have the same size acted upon by the pressure prevailing in the pressure vessel active surfaces, whereby the pressure forces acting on the thrust member cancel each other substantially. A disadvantage of this solution, however, are the comparatively complicated double piston and the problem that a mixing of carbonated and non-carbonated water can not be prevented.

The present invention therefore deals with the problem of providing an improved or at least an alternative embodiment for a device of the generic type, which in particular allows an issue with gas-enriched liquid in any beverage container and at the same time allows optimal gas entry into the liquid, without the For this known from the prior art, high design effort to require.

This problem is solved according to the invention by the subject matter of independent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

The present invention is based on the general idea, a device for introducing gases into liquids, in particular for introducing CO ₂ in water, structurally so simple to construct that on the one hand the pin is made possible in any drinking vessel and at the same time the pressure in the liquid can be maintained until consumption, that is to the output, so that the pressure reduction of the introduced under pressure into the liquid gas, for example, the free carbon dioxide, takes place only after the tapping of the drink. For this purpose, the device according to the invention has a gas pressure container containing the gas to be introduced and a liquid pressure container containing the liquid, the latter communicating with the gas pressure container via an input via a first valve device connected is. Furthermore, a second valve device is provided, which is communicatively connected to an outlet of the fluid pressure container and via which an output of the gas-enriched liquid, for example, the offset with CO ₂ water, takes place in an external beverage container. The device according to the invention functions as follows: First, the fluid pressure vessel is filled with liquid, here usually water, and in particular a so-called docking station is used, so that the inlet of the fluid pressure vessel with the first valve device and the outlet with the second valve device directly or indirectly via a corresponding line, are connected. Subsequently, the first valve device is opened until the desired gas entry into the liquid (degree of carbonization) is achieved. Here, a pressurized gas cushion is introduced into the fluid pressure container via the first valve device, which is then available as a pumped medium for the gas-enriched liquid. Naturally, preset or presettable carbonation levels are also conceivable. Following this, the second valve device can now be opened and the gas-enriched liquid, for example the water enriched with CO ₂ , can be dispensed into the external beverage container. As can be seen from the described operation, no external power connection is required for the device according to the invention, nor does a pressure drop already take place in the fluid pressure vessel, as is usually the case with conventional and known from the prior art drinking water bubblers, since the gas cushion in the fluid pressure vessel maintains the required pressure on the liquid. In the drinking water bubbler according to the invention can thus minutes or hours later without a renewed gas entry still bubbling liquid, that is bubbling water, via the second valve means, are issued. It is also of particular advantage that an output of the bubbling water can be done in any vessel, without requiring the fluid pressure vessel of the device would have to be reduced.

In an advantageous development of the solution according to the invention, the first valve device and / or the second valve device are / is designed as a 2/2-way valve, as a pinch valve, as a solenoid valve or as a stopcock. Already this non-exhaustive enumeration gives an idea of the manifold possibilities for the execution of the first and / or second valve device. In a design as a solenoid valve, a battery may be provided as an electrical energy source, which switches the solenoid valve. An external power connection for this, however, is not required in this case.

Suitably, the gas pressure vessel is designed as an exchangeable CO2 pressure vessel, in particular as a CO2 gas cylinder. Such CO2 pressure vessels are well known and also commercially available in manifold embodiment. By means of a pressure-tight coupling with the first valve device, the CO2 pressure vessel can provide the required pressure for gas introduction into the liquid and at the same time for dispensing the gas-enriched liquid over a comparatively long period of time.

In an advantageous development of the device according to the invention, the second valve device is arranged below the outlet of the liquid pressure container or else the liquid pressure container can not be completely filled with liquid. In an arrangement of the second valve device and thus the output station below the output of the fluid pressure container, the water or the liquid alone can flow due to gravity from the fluid pressure container in a separate beverage container. If the second valve device is arranged at the same height or above the liquid pressure container, the latter must not be completely filled with liquid, so that always a pressurized gas cushion is available as a medium for the gas-enriched liquid.

In an advantageous development of the solution according to the invention, the aforementioned docking station is provided, in which the fluid pressure vessel with top arranged input / output can be used, wherein the docking station is designed such that it allows a rotation of the fluid pressure tank until the input and show the output down and connectable to the first and second valve means. A connection of the fluid pressure container with the docking station can be done for example via a locking connection, a screw or a bayonet. Due to the possibility of twisting the fluid pressure container via the docking station, a purely gravitational output of the gas-enriched fluid can be achieved.

Appropriately, a pressure / Karbonisierungsanzeige and / or a residual pressure backup are provided. Already this non-exhaustive list suggests that the device according to the invention may of course have further, for example product line-dependent special equipment, which can further increase the ease of use and the quality of the beverage to be produced.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the solution according to the invention, the liquid pressure container is connected via a third valve device to a water connection, wherein this third valve device is designed such that it vents the liquid pressure container during filling with water. This represents a particular embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention, in which the liquid pressure container is always filled with fresh liquid after or after removal of the gas-enriched liquid. is filled after. This is particularly interesting for commercial use.

Other important features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, from the drawings and from the associated figure description with reference to the drawings.

It is understood that the features mentioned above and those yet to be explained below can be used not only in the particular combination given, but also in other combinations or in isolation, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and will be described in more detail in the following description, wherein like reference numerals refer to the same or similar or functionally identical components.

Show, each schematically

Fig. 1 shows an inventive device for introducing gases in

Liquids having an inlet and outlet located at a fluid pressure vessel at the bottom,

FIG. 2 shows a representation as in FIG. 1, but with the liquid pressure container turned upside down, FIG.

3a shows pressure conditions in the fluid pressure container after the carbonization but before the output, 3b is a view as in Fig. 3a, but after the output,

4 shows a device according to the invention with a liquid pressure container connected to a fixed water connection.

According to FIGS. 1 to 4, a device 1 according to the invention for introducing gases 2 into liquids 3, in particular for introducing CO2 2 'into water 3', has the following components: a gas pressure vessel 4 containing the gas 2 to be introduced, which is exchangeable, for example CO2 pressure vessel may be formed, a fluid pressure vessel 5 containing the liquid 3, which communicates with an input 6 via a first valve means 7 communicating with the gas pressure vessel 4, and a second valve means 8 which communicates with an output 9 of the fluid pressure vessel 5 communicating and via the one output of the enriched gas with gas 2 3, for example, the CO2 2 'enriched water 3' in a beverage container 10 takes place. In this case, a pressurized gas cushion 12 is introduced into the fluid pressure vessel 5 via the first valve device 7, which gas is then available as a pumped medium for the liquid 3 enriched with gas 2. The first valve device 7 and / or the second valve device 8 are formed as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 as so-called 2/2-way valves, but may of course alternatively be designed as a pinch valve, as a battery-operated solenoid valve or as a stopcock.

The device 1 according to the invention functions as follows: First, the liquid pressure container 5 is filled with liquid 3, in particular with water 3 ', and in particular inserted into a docking station 11. Now, the first valve means 7 is opened whereby the arranged in the liquid pressure vessel 5 liquid 3 with gas 2, in particular with CO2 2 ', enriched. is reached a desired degree of enrichment, which can be selected for example via presettable or preset Karbonisierungsstufen reached, now the second valve means 8 is opened to the gas 2 enriched liquid 3 in the beverage container 10 to spend. In order to be able to dispense liquid 3 from the liquid pressure container 5 in the beverage container 10, either the second valve device 8 must be arranged below the liquid pressure container 5 or the liquid pressure container 5 must be allowed to actually introduce the gas 2 before the carbonization of the water 3 '. not completely filled with water 3 'or liquid 3, so that a gas cushion 12 (see FIGS. 3a and 3b) remaining above the liquid 3 or the water 3' can serve as conveying medium for the carbonated water 3 '. The latter is provided in each case.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 3 to 4, it can be seen that the inlet 6 and the outlet 9 of the fluid pressure vessel 5 are arranged in the assembled state below, whereas the input 6 and the output 9 in the device 1 according to FIG. 2 are arranged at the top. In this case, an immersion lance 13 extending from a bottom of the fluid pressure container 5 to the outlet 9 is provided. Here too, the gas cushion 12 introduced via the first valve device 7 under pressure into the fluid pressure container 5 is available as a pumped medium for the liquid 3 enriched with gas 2.

In the assembled state at the bottom arranged input 6 and output 9 usually the docking station 1 1 described above is used, in which the liquid pressure vessel 5 is initially used with the top arranged input / output 6, 9, and only then in the docking station. 1 1 is rotated until the input 6 and the output 9 point downwards and are connectable to the first and second valve means 7, 8. To a tight connection of the fluid pressure vessel 5 and its input 6 and its Output to reach 9 with the docking station 1 1, the fluid pressure vessel 5 is connected, for example via a snap-in connection, a screw or a bayonet lock on the docking station 1 1.

Also provided may be a pressure / Karbonisierungsanzeige 15 and / or a residual pressure backup 16, through which the ease of use can be increased.

4, it can be seen that the liquid pressure container 5 is connected via a third valve device 17 to a water connection 18, usually a fixed water connection, wherein the third valve device 17 is designed such that can vent the liquid pressure vessel 5 during filling with water 3 'or with liquid 3. For this purpose, the third valve device 17 may be formed, for example, as a 4/2-way valve.

Looking at the representations of the device 1 according to FIGS. 3a and 3b, the device can be seen in FIG. 3a after the first valve device 7 has been opened, but with the second valve device 8 closed at the same time. In this case, therefore, the liquid 3 or the water 3 'already enriched with gas 2, for example with CO2 2'. After opening the second valve device 8, the beverage dispensing takes place in the beverage container 10, whereby the level of the liquid 3 in the liquid pressure vessel 5 decreases, however, a further output of gas enriched with gas 2 3 due to the still existing gas cushion 12 is still possible. The pressure within the fluid pressure container 5 has only slightly reduced both in the gas 2 and in the liquid 3 between Figs. 3a and 3b, for example, each of 7 bar to 5 bar. The device according to the invention 1 offers in comparison to known from the prior art Tnnkwassersprudlern the great advantage that it has an extremely compact design and by a longer exposure time of the CO2 2 'or generally the gas 2, a higher degree of dissolution in the liquid 3 and can be achieved in the water 3 '. In contrast to conventional drinking water bubblers can also be tapped into any, separate beverage container 10. The release of the gas 2 or the free carbonic acid 2 'from the liquid 3 or from the water 3' begins only during tenon, that is after the exit from the device 1 and not immediately after as in drinking water bubblers according to the prior art the carbonization or after the introduction of the gas into the liquid.

Due to the longer exposure time, a larger solution of CO2 2 'in the water 3' and thus an increase in the inhibiting effect on microorganisms can be achieved. In addition, the device 1 according to the invention does not require any external energy sources, such as a power connection.

Claims

claims

1 . Device (1) for introducing gases (2) into liquids (3), in particular for introducing CO ₂ (2 ') into water (3'),

characterized,

the device (1) comprises at least the following components,

a gas pressure vessel (4) containing the gas (2) to be introduced,

a liquid pressure container (5) containing the liquid (3) and communicating with an inlet (6) via a first valve device (7) communicating with the gas pressure vessel (4),

- A second valve means (8) communicating with an output (9) of the liquid pressure container (5) and via which an output of gas (2) enriched liquid (3) takes place in a separate beverage container (10),

- Via the first valve means (7) a pressurized gas cushion (12) in the liquid pressure container (5) can be introduced, which is then as a medium for the gas (2) enriched liquid (3) is available.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1,

characterized,

in that the first valve device (7) and / or the second valve device (8) is / are designed as a 2/2-way valve, as a pinch valve, as a solenoid valve or as a stopcock.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,

characterized, the gas pressure container (4) is designed as an exchangeable CO2 pressure vessel.

4. Device according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized,

- That the second valve means (8) below the outlet (9) of the liquid pressure container (5) is arranged, or

- That the fluid pressure container (5) is not completely filled with liquid (3).

5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4,

characterized,

in that the inlet (6) and the outlet (9) of the liquid pressure container (5) are arranged at the top or bottom, in the first case an immersion lance (13) being provided from a bottom to the outlet (9) of the liquid pressure container (9). 5) runs.

6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4,

characterized,

a docking station (1 1) is provided into which the fluid pressure container (5) can be inserted with the input / output (6, 9) arranged at the top, the docking station (11) being designed such that it causes the fluid pressure container (5 ) until the inlet (6) and the outlet (9) face downwards and are connectable to the first and second valve means (7, 8).

7. Apparatus according to claim 6,

characterized,

that the fluid pressure container (5) via a latching connection, a Screw connection or a bayonet lock tightly connected to the docking station (1 1) is connectable.

8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7,

characterized,

that a pressure / Karbonisierungsanzeige (15) and / or a residual pressure backup (16) is / is provided.

9. Device according to one of claims 1 to 8,

characterized,

in that the fluid pressure container (5) is connected to a water connection (18) via a third valve device (17), wherein the third valve device (17) is designed such that it seals the fluid pressure container (5) during the filling with liquid / water (3, 3 ') vented.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9,

characterized,

the third valve device (17) is designed as a 4/2-way valve.