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EP0609424B1 - Device for preparing and dispensing refreshing beverages - Google Patents

Device for preparing and dispensing refreshing beverages Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0609424B1
EP0609424B1 EP93919162A EP93919162A EP0609424B1 EP 0609424 B1 EP0609424 B1 EP 0609424B1 EP 93919162 A EP93919162 A EP 93919162A EP 93919162 A EP93919162 A EP 93919162A EP 0609424 B1 EP0609424 B1 EP 0609424B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
water
cooled
storage tank
heat exchanger
gas
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.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP93919162A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0609424A1 (en
Inventor
Raimond Gatter
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.)
Coca Cola Co
Original Assignee
Coca Cola Co
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Coca Cola Co filed Critical Coca Cola Co
Publication of EP0609424A1 publication Critical patent/EP0609424A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0609424B1 publication Critical patent/EP0609424B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • 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
    • B67D1/0061—Carbonators with cooling means
    • B67D1/0066—Carbonators with cooling means outside the carbonator
    • B67D1/0067—Cooling coil
    • 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
    • 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
    • B67D1/0015—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught the beverage being prepared by mixing at least two liquid components
    • B67D1/0021—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught the beverage being prepared by mixing at least two liquid components the components being mixed at the time of dispensing, i.e. post-mix dispensers
    • 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
    • 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
    • B67D1/08—Details
    • B67D1/0857—Cooling arrangements
    • B67D1/0858—Cooling arrangements using compression systems
    • B67D1/0861—Cooling arrangements using compression systems the evaporator acting through an intermediate heat transfer means
    • 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
    • B67D2210/00028—Constructional details
    • B67D2210/00099—Temperature control
    • B67D2210/00104—Cooling only
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S261/00—Gas and liquid contact apparatus
    • Y10S261/07—Carbonators

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a device for preparing and dispensing soft drinks from one of several beverage concentrates and cooled water enriched with CO 2 gas or cooled water not enriched with CO 2 gas, with a pressure pump, with a branch system, with water-dependent controlled Valves, with a refillable, cooled storage container in which the water is enriched with CO 2 gas, and with a line cooled by thermal coupling with the storage container for water not enriched with CO 2 gas, the branch system being connected downstream of the pressure pump and the water leads either via the storage container or via a bypass line to the storage container in the mixing area with the beverage concentrate.
  • Such a beverage dispensing device with which both soft drinks with CO 2 content and without CO 2 content can be prepared and dispensed, is known from EP-A-0 320 262.
  • the storage container for cooling is immersed in an intermediate bath through which the feed line is also guided.
  • the cooled line leads to the branch system, through which cooled water can either be led into the storage container or directly into the mixing area, in order to prepare soft drinks without CO 2 content in the latter case.
  • the invention has for its object to provide a device for preparing and serving soft drinks both with CO 2 content and without CO 2 content, which has a particularly compact design.
  • this object is achieved in that the bypass line forms the cooled line and is passed through a heat exchanger which is fed on the primary side via a feed pump with the CO 2 -containing, cooled water from the storage container, and that from the heat exchanger into the storage container recycled water containing CO 2 is sprayed into the CO 2 -filled head area of the storage container.
  • the carbonated water is dispensed from the carbonator (storage container) in an appropriately cooled state. Cooling the carbonator in a known manner ensures that a sufficient amount of beverage portions has the desired, reduced drinking temperature. If a CO 2 -free soft drink is required, the water required for this is led through the bypass line through the heat exchanger to the dispensing point in the mixing area with the beverage concentrate. In this case, the cooling capacity of the heat exchanger is derived from the storage container and its contents, so that both the temperature prevailing there and the cooling capacity provided there can be used effectively without the need for additional, individual cooling measures or control measures.
  • the heat exchanger is fed on the primary side via a feed pump with the CO 2 -containing cooled water from the storage tank. This water is drained from the delivery line of the storage container and fed back into the carbonator via the supply line. Since it goes without saying that the heat exchanger and the lines to and from the storage container are embedded in a heat-insulated manner, there is no fear of significant cold losses. Rather, both the heat exchanger and the connecting lines expand the amount of carbonated water available in the cooled state. Since water containing CO 2 has a slightly lower freezing point than normal water, but on the other hand temperature gradients appear, the non-carbonated water that leaves the heat exchanger in the bypass line will also be cooled near the freezing point, but above it.
  • Heat exchangers for liquid media are well known State of the art. In this context it is also called preferred measure expediently that the adjacent, chambers thermally well interconnected flow through the heat exchanger in opposite directions.
  • the CO 2 water returned from the heat exchanger is also sprayed into the CO 2 -filled top area of the storage container. This has the effect that the carbonation of the water can be promoted during the spraying process.
  • the figure shows a highly schematic structure of a appropriate beverage maker.
  • a shut-off valve 4 is opened at the same time or overlapping, so that carbonated water, which is treated and cooled there, is passed from a reservoir 5 through a flow rate controller 6 into the mixing trough 1 under pressure.
  • the beverage concentrate dispensed and the carbonated water supplied come together and, together and by mixing, pass into a glass or a mug 7, with which the refreshing beverage thus formed can be removed.
  • the storage container 5 serves as a so-called carbonizer. Water is fed into it via a feed line 8 and CO 2 gas via a feed line 9, each under pressure from above.
  • the water pressure is generated by a pressure pump 10, which in the present case sucks the water from a water storage tank 11 when there is a need for water refill in the storage container 5 and sprays it into the storage container 5 via a shut-off valve 12 which is then open.
  • the required water level within the storage container 5 is detected by a water level sensor 13 and evaluated in terms of control technology for the control of the pressure pump 10 and the shut-off valve 12.
  • the CO 2 gas supply is regulated automatically by a pressure reducing / pressure control valve (not shown) connected upstream of the supply line 9, so that, for example, a pressure of 4 bar is built up in the reservoir 5. This pressure is also used to ensure that the carbonated water is conveyed from the reservoir 5 via the shut-off valve 4, which is open as required, and through the flow rate regulator 6 into the mixing channel 1.
  • a CO 2 gas cushion is formed in the head region of the storage container 5, above the water stored therein.
  • a circulating pump 14 turns this gas cushion into CO 2 gas. sucked in and mixed into the stored water in the area of the circulation pump 14, which is driven by an electric motor 15.
  • the water is also circulated and set in the storage container 5 in rotation about a vertical axis around the intake pipe 16 for the CO 2 gas.
  • the stored, carbonated water inside the reservoir 5 is cooled, via the outside of the storage container 5 arranged cooling coils 17 of a not shown Cooling system.
  • This forms within the storage container 5 on the side walls in the area of this Cooling coils 17 also have an ice jacket 18, the strength of which detected by an ice sensor 19 and for controlling the Cooling system is evaluated.
  • the carbonated water inside the reservoir 5 is cooled to a temperature close to freezing, the somewhat warmer zones because of the special physical Peculiarity of the water near the freezing point in the floor area the storage container 5 near an outlet line, which passed through the housing of the electric motor 15 is lying. So there is a risk of icing in this area not given.
  • the ice jacket 18 also provides cooling capacity represents for the reservoir 5, so that several briefly Portions of drinks are served sufficiently chilled can without the cooling system the otherwise required should have high cooling capacity.
  • the corresponding valve system 3 is activated to add the appropriate beverage concentrate.
  • the shut-off valve 4 remains closed, and instead a shut-off valve 20 is opened. Since the water pressure from the reservoir 5 is missing, it is necessary that the pressure pump 10 is started simultaneously with the opening of the shut-off valve 20. Since in this case the shut-off valve 12 is closed, the water is branched off in a branch point 21 and passed through the shut-off valve 20 opened in this case and a flow regulator 22 into the mixing trough 1, where it meets the selected beverage concentrate and mixed into the beverage cup 7 arrives.
  • the use of the heat exchanger 24 serves to remove the non-carbonized, needed to prepare a drink Cool water sufficiently.
  • the cooling capacity of the Ice jacket is used in this way.
  • the circulation the carbonated water from the reservoir 5 through the heat exchanger 24 and back into the storage container 5 also has the advantage that in particular the output line from the storage container 5 no risk of Icing is subject.

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Devices For Dispensing Beverages (AREA)
  • Non-Alcoholic Beverages (AREA)
  • Tea And Coffee (AREA)

Abstract

A post-mix beverage preparation and dispensing unit includes a carbonator tank coupled to a feed water branching circuit. The branching circuit selectively feeds fresh water from a pressurized fresh water source to the storage tank where the water is mixed with CO2 gas and is fed to a concentrate mixing station or it feeds fresh water through a heat exchanger which is coupled to the cooled carbonated water of the carbonator tank to cool a supply of fresh water which is then delivered to the same mixing station along with the proper concentrate of the proper amount. A selected beverage is delivered to a dispensing station and can either be a carbonated beverage or a non-carbonated beverage depending on the desire of the consumer.

Description

Die vorliegende Erfindung betrifft eine Vorrichtung zum Bereiten und Ausgeben von Erfrischungsgetränken aus einem von mehreren Getränkekonzentraten und gekühltem, mit CO2-Gas angereichertem Wasser oder gekühltem, nicht mit CO2-Gas angereichertem Wasser, mit einer Druckpumpe, mit einem Abzweigsystem, mit wasserbedarfsabhängig gesteuerten Ventilen, mit einem nachfüllbaren, gekühlten Vorratsbehälter, in dem das Wasser mit CO2-Gas angereichert wird, und mit einer durch thermische Kopplung mit dem Vorratsbehälter gekühlten Leitung für nicht mit CO2-Gas angereichertes Wasser, wobei das Abzweigsystem der Druckpumpe nachgeschaltet ist und das Wasser wahlweise über den Vorratsbehälter oder über eine Bypaßleitung zum Vorratsbehälter in den Mischbereich mit dem Getränkekonzentrat führt.The present invention relates to a device for preparing and dispensing soft drinks from one of several beverage concentrates and cooled water enriched with CO 2 gas or cooled water not enriched with CO 2 gas, with a pressure pump, with a branch system, with water-dependent controlled Valves, with a refillable, cooled storage container in which the water is enriched with CO 2 gas, and with a line cooled by thermal coupling with the storage container for water not enriched with CO 2 gas, the branch system being connected downstream of the pressure pump and the water leads either via the storage container or via a bypass line to the storage container in the mixing area with the beverage concentrate.

Eine solche Getränkeausgabevorrichtung, mit der sowohl Erfrischungsgetränke mit CO2-Gehalt als auch ohne CO2-Gehalt bereitet und ausgegeben werden können, ist aus EP-A-0 320 262 bekannt. Bei dieser Getränkebereitungsvorrichtung ist der Vorratsbehälter zur Kühlung in ein Zwischenbad eingetaucht, durch das auch die Zuführungsleitung geführt ist. Nach dem Zwischenbad führt die gekühlte Leitung zu dem Abzweigsystem, durch das gekühltes Wasser wahlweise in den Vorratsbehälter oder unmittelbar in den Mischbereich geführt werden kann, um im letzteren Fall Erfrischungsgetränke ohne CO2-Gehalt zu bereiten. In der Behälterwand des Zwischenbades befinden sich Kühlschlangen des Kühlsystems.Such a beverage dispensing device, with which both soft drinks with CO 2 content and without CO 2 content can be prepared and dispensed, is known from EP-A-0 320 262. In this beverage preparation device, the storage container for cooling is immersed in an intermediate bath through which the feed line is also guided. After the intermediate bath, the cooled line leads to the branch system, through which cooled water can either be led into the storage container or directly into the mixing area, in order to prepare soft drinks without CO 2 content in the latter case. There are cooling coils of the cooling system in the tank wall of the intermediate bath.

Der Erfindung liegt die Aufgabe zugrunde, eine Vorrichtung zum Bereiten und Ausgeben von Erfrischungsgetränken sowohl mit CO2-Gehalt als auch ohne CO2-Gehalt zu schaffen, die eine besonders kompakte Bauform aufweist.The invention has for its object to provide a device for preparing and serving soft drinks both with CO 2 content and without CO 2 content, which has a particularly compact design.

Erfindungsgemäß wird diese Aufgabe dadurch gelöst, daß die Bypaßleitung die gekühlte Leitung bildet und durch einen Wärmetauscher geführt ist, der primärseitig über eine Förderpumpe mit dem CO2-haltigen, gekühlten Wasser aus dem Vorratsbehälter gespeist wird, und daß das aus dem Wärmetauscher in den Vorratsbehälter zurückgeführte CO2-haltige Wasser in den CO2-gefüllten Kopfbereich des Vorratsbehälters eingesprüht wird.According to the invention, this object is achieved in that the bypass line forms the cooled line and is passed through a heat exchanger which is fed on the primary side via a feed pump with the CO 2 -containing, cooled water from the storage container, and that from the heat exchanger into the storage container recycled water containing CO 2 is sprayed into the CO 2 -filled head area of the storage container.

Wird ein CO2-haltiges Erfrischungsgetränk gewünscht, so erfolgt die Ausgabe des karbonisierten Wassers entsprechend gekühlt aus dem Karbonisator (Vorratsbehälter). Durch die Kühlung des Karbonisators in bekannter Weise ist sichergestellt, daß eine ausreichende Menge von Getränkeportionen die gewünschte, herabgesetzte Trinktemperatur aufweist. Wird ein CO2-freies Erfrischungsgetränk gewünscht, so wird das dafür benötigte Wasser durch die über den Wärmetauscher geführte Bypaßleitung zur Ausgabestelle im Mischbereich mit dem Getränkekonzentrat geführt. Die Kühlleistung des Wärmetauschers wird in diesem Fall vom Vorratsbehälter und dessen Inhalt abgeleitet, so daß sowohl die dort herrschende Temperatur als auch die dort zur Verfügung gestellte Kältekapazität voll wirksam genutzt werden können, ohne daß es prinzipiell zusätzlicher, individueller Kühlmaßnahmen oder Regelmaßnahmen bedarf.If a CO 2 -containing soft drink is desired, the carbonated water is dispensed from the carbonator (storage container) in an appropriately cooled state. Cooling the carbonator in a known manner ensures that a sufficient amount of beverage portions has the desired, reduced drinking temperature. If a CO 2 -free soft drink is required, the water required for this is led through the bypass line through the heat exchanger to the dispensing point in the mixing area with the beverage concentrate. In this case, the cooling capacity of the heat exchanger is derived from the storage container and its contents, so that both the temperature prevailing there and the cooling capacity provided there can be used effectively without the need for additional, individual cooling measures or control measures.

Der Wärmetauscher wird primärseitig über eine Förderpumpe mit dem CO2-haltigen gekühlten Wasser aus dem Vorratsbehälter gespeist. Dieses Wasser wird von der Ausgabeleitung des Vorratsbehälters abgeleitet und über die Zuführungsleitung zum Karbonisator in diesen wieder zurückgespeist. Da es selbstverständlich ist, daß der Wärmetauscher und die Leitungen von und zum Vorratsbehälter wärmeisoliert eingebettet sind, sind keine wesentlichen Kälteverluste zu befürchten. Vielmehr erweitern sowohl der Wärmetauscher als auch die Verbindungsleitungen die Menge des gekühlt zur Verfügung stehenden karbonisierten Wassers. Da CO2-haltiges Wasser einen etwas niedrigeren Gefrierpunkt hat als normales Wasser, andererseits aber Temperaturgefälle in Erscheinung treten, wird auch das nichtkarbonisierte Wasser, das in der Bypaßleitung den Wärmetauscher verläßt, nahe dem Gefrierpunkt, aber gesichert darüber, gekühlt sein.The heat exchanger is fed on the primary side via a feed pump with the CO 2 -containing cooled water from the storage tank. This water is drained from the delivery line of the storage container and fed back into the carbonator via the supply line. Since it goes without saying that the heat exchanger and the lines to and from the storage container are embedded in a heat-insulated manner, there is no fear of significant cold losses. Rather, both the heat exchanger and the connecting lines expand the amount of carbonated water available in the cooled state. Since water containing CO 2 has a slightly lower freezing point than normal water, but on the other hand temperature gradients appear, the non-carbonated water that leaves the heat exchanger in the bypass line will also be cooled near the freezing point, but above it.

Wärmetauscher für flüssige Medien gehören zum bekannten Stand der Technik. In diesem Zusammenhang ist es auch als bevorzugte Maßnahme zweckmäßig, daß die aneinander angrenzenden, thermisch miteinander gut leitend verbundenen Kammern des Wärmetauschers gegensinnig durchströmt sind.Heat exchangers for liquid media are well known State of the art. In this context it is also called preferred measure expediently that the adjacent, chambers thermally well interconnected flow through the heat exchanger in opposite directions.

Erfindungsgemäß wird ferner das aus dem Wärmetauscher zurückgeführte CO2-Wasser in den CO2-gefüllten Kopfbereich des Vorratsbehälters eingesprüht. Dies hat die Wirkung, daß beim Einsprühvorgang die Karbonisierung des Wassers gefördert werden kann.According to the invention, the CO 2 water returned from the heat exchanger is also sprayed into the CO 2 -filled top area of the storage container. This has the effect that the carbonation of the water can be promoted during the spraying process.

Ein nach den Merkmalen der Erfindung ausgestaltetes Ausführungsbeispiel ist anhand der Zeichnung im folgenden näher beschrieben.An embodiment designed according to the features of the invention is closer to the drawing below described.

Die Figur zeigt einen stark schematisierten Aufbau eines entsprechenden Getränkebereiters.The figure shows a highly schematic structure of a appropriate beverage maker.

Wie die Figur zeigt, sind oberhalb einer Mischrinne 1 drei Konzentratbehälter 2 mit je einem zugeordneten Ausgabeventilsystem 3 angeordnet. Sobald eines dieser drei Ventilsysteme 3 durch eine nicht dargestellte Steuerschaltung angesteuert wird, befördert dieses angesteuerte Ventilsystem 3 ein entsprechendes Getränkekonzentrat aus dem zugeordneten Konzentrat behälter 2 in die Mischrinne 1.As the figure shows, there are three above a mixing channel 1 Concentrate container 2, each with an associated dispensing valve system 3 arranged. As soon as one of these three valve systems 3 driven by a control circuit, not shown this controlled valve system 3 a corresponding beverage concentrate from the assigned Concentrate container 2 in the mixing trough 1.

Soll ein CO2-haltiges Erfrischungsgetränk bereitet werden, so wird zeitgleich bzw. zeitüberdeckend ein Absperrventil 4 geöffnet, so daß aus einem Vorratsbehälter 5 karbonisiertes Wasser, welches dort aufbereitet und gekühlt wird, durch einen Durchflußmengenregler 6 in die Mischrinne 1 unter Druck geleitet wird. In dieser Mischrinne 1 treffen das ausgegebene Getränkekonzentrat und das zugeführte karbonisierte Wasser zusammen und gelangen gemeinsam und indem sie sich vermischen, in ein Glas oder einen Becher 7, mit welchem das somit gebildete Erfrischungsgetränk entnommen werden kann. Der Vorratsbehälter 5 dient als sogenannter Karbonisator. In ihn wird Wasser über eine Zuführungsleitung 8 und CO2-Gas über eine Zuführungsleitung 9 jeweils unter Druck von oben zugeführt. Der Wasserdruck wird erzeugt durch eine Druckförderpumpe 10, welche das Wasser im vorliegenden Fall aus einem Wasservorratstank 11, wenn Wasser-Nachfüllbedarf im Vorratsbehälter 5 herrscht, ansaugt und über ein dann geöffnetes Absperrventil 12 in den Vorratsbehälter 5 einsprüht. Der erforderliche Wasserstand innerhalb des Vorratsbehälters 5 wird durch einen Wasserstandssensor 13 erfaßt und für die Ansteuerung der Druckförderpumpe 10 und des Absperrventils 12 steuertechnisch ausgewertet. Die CO2 -Gaszufuhr regelt sich selbsttätig durch ein der Zuführungsleitung 9 vorgeschaltetes, nicht dargestelltes Druckminder-/Druckregelventil, so daß im Vorratsbehälter 5 beispielsweise ein Druck von 4 bar aufgebaut ist. Dieser Druck wird auch dafür herangezogen, daß das karbonisierte Wasser aus dem Vorratsbehälter 5 über das bedarfsweise geöffnete Absperrventil 4 und durch den Durchflußmengenregler 6 in die Mischrinne 1 gefördert wird.If a CO 2 -containing soft drink is to be prepared, a shut-off valve 4 is opened at the same time or overlapping, so that carbonated water, which is treated and cooled there, is passed from a reservoir 5 through a flow rate controller 6 into the mixing trough 1 under pressure. In this mixing channel 1, the beverage concentrate dispensed and the carbonated water supplied come together and, together and by mixing, pass into a glass or a mug 7, with which the refreshing beverage thus formed can be removed. The storage container 5 serves as a so-called carbonizer. Water is fed into it via a feed line 8 and CO 2 gas via a feed line 9, each under pressure from above. The water pressure is generated by a pressure pump 10, which in the present case sucks the water from a water storage tank 11 when there is a need for water refill in the storage container 5 and sprays it into the storage container 5 via a shut-off valve 12 which is then open. The required water level within the storage container 5 is detected by a water level sensor 13 and evaluated in terms of control technology for the control of the pressure pump 10 and the shut-off valve 12. The CO 2 gas supply is regulated automatically by a pressure reducing / pressure control valve (not shown) connected upstream of the supply line 9, so that, for example, a pressure of 4 bar is built up in the reservoir 5. This pressure is also used to ensure that the carbonated water is conveyed from the reservoir 5 via the shut-off valve 4, which is open as required, and through the flow rate regulator 6 into the mixing channel 1.

Im Kopfbereich des Vorratsbehälters 5, oberhalb des darin bevorrateten Wassers, ist ein CO2-Gaspolster ausgebildet. Über eine Umvwälzpumpe 14 wird aus diesem Gaspolster CO2-Gas. angesaugt und in das bevorratete Wasser im Bereich der Umwälzpumpe 14, die durch einen Elektromotor 15 angetrieben wird, eingemischt. Dabei wird auch das Wasser umgewälzt und innerhalb des Vorratsbehälters 5 in Drehung um eine vertikal verlaufende Achse um das Ansaugrohr 16 für das CO2-Gas gesetzt.A CO 2 gas cushion is formed in the head region of the storage container 5, above the water stored therein. A circulating pump 14 turns this gas cushion into CO 2 gas. sucked in and mixed into the stored water in the area of the circulation pump 14, which is driven by an electric motor 15. The water is also circulated and set in the storage container 5 in rotation about a vertical axis around the intake pipe 16 for the CO 2 gas.

Das bevorratete, karbonisierte Wasser innerhalb des Vorratsbehälters 5 wird gekühlt, und zwar über außen am Vorratsbehälter 5 angeordnete Kühlschlangen 17 eines nicht dargestellten Kühlsystems. Dabei bildet sich innerhalb des Vorratsbehälters 5 an dessen Seitenwandungen im Bereich dieser Kühlschlangen 17 auch ein Eismantel 18 aus, dessen Stärke von einem Eissensor 19 erfaßt und für die Ansteuerung des Kühlsystems ausgewertet wird.The stored, carbonated water inside the reservoir 5 is cooled, via the outside of the storage container 5 arranged cooling coils 17 of a not shown Cooling system. This forms within the storage container 5 on the side walls in the area of this Cooling coils 17 also have an ice jacket 18, the strength of which detected by an ice sensor 19 and for controlling the Cooling system is evaluated.

Das karbonisierte Wasser innerhalb des Vorratsbehälters 5 ist somit auf eine Temperatur nahe dem Gefrierpunkt gekühlt, wobei die etwas wärmeren Zonen wegen der besonderen physikalischen Eigenart des Wassers nahe des Gefrierpunkts im Bodenbereich des Vorratsbehälters 5 nahe einer Ausgangsleitung, die durch das Gehäuse des Elektromotors 15 hindurchgeführt ist, liegen. Eine Vereisungsgefahr in diesem Bereich ist also nicht gegeben. Der Eismantel 18 stellt auch Kältekapazität für den Vorratsbehälter 5 dar, so daß kurzzeitig mehrere Portionen von Getränken ausreichend gekühlt ausgegeben werden können, ohne daß das Kühlsystem die ansonsten dafür erforderliche hohe Kühlleistung aufbringen müßte.The carbonated water inside the reservoir 5 is cooled to a temperature close to freezing, the somewhat warmer zones because of the special physical Peculiarity of the water near the freezing point in the floor area the storage container 5 near an outlet line, which passed through the housing of the electric motor 15 is lying. So there is a risk of icing in this area not given. The ice jacket 18 also provides cooling capacity represents for the reservoir 5, so that several briefly Portions of drinks are served sufficiently chilled can without the cooling system the otherwise required should have high cooling capacity.

Soll nunmehr anstelle eines CO2-haltigen Erfrischungsgetränks ein CO2-freies Erfrischungsgetränk ausgegeben werden, so wird das entsprechende Ventilsystem 3 zur Zugabe des dafür geeigneten Getränkekonzentrats angesteuert. In diesem Falle bleibt aber das Absperrventil 4 geschlossen, und anstelle dessen wird ein Absperrventil 20 geöffnet. Da der Wasserdruck aus dem Vorratsbehälter 5 fehlt, ist es erforderlich, daß zeitgleich mit dem Öffnen des Absperrventils 20 die Druckförderpumpe 10 in Gang gesetzt ist. Da in diesem Fall das Absperrventil 12 geschlossen ist, wird das Wasser in einer Abzweigstelle 21 abgezweigt und durch das in diesem Fall geöffnete Absperrventil 20 und einen Durchflußmengenregler 22 in die Mischrinne 1 geleitet, wo es mit dem ausgewählten Getränkekonzentrat zusammentrifft und unter Mischung in den Getränkebecher 7 gelangt.If, instead of a CO 2 -containing soft drink, a CO 2 -free soft drink is to be dispensed, the corresponding valve system 3 is activated to add the appropriate beverage concentrate. In this case, however, the shut-off valve 4 remains closed, and instead a shut-off valve 20 is opened. Since the water pressure from the reservoir 5 is missing, it is necessary that the pressure pump 10 is started simultaneously with the opening of the shut-off valve 20. Since in this case the shut-off valve 12 is closed, the water is branched off in a branch point 21 and passed through the shut-off valve 20 opened in this case and a flow regulator 22 into the mixing trough 1, where it meets the selected beverage concentrate and mixed into the beverage cup 7 arrives.

Von der Abzweigestelle 21 zum Absperrventil 20 wird das zugeführte Wasser durch eine sekundärseitige Leitung 23 eines Wärmetauschers 24 zur Ausgabestelle geführt. Diese Maßnahme dient dazu, das nichtkarbonisierte, für die Bereitstellung eines Getränks benötigte Wasser ausreichend zu kühlen, ohne dafür ein eigenes Kühlsystem bereitstellen zu müssen. In der primärseitigen Leitung 25 wird der Wärmetauscher 24 über eine Förderpumpe 26 mit karbonisiertem Wasser aus dem Vorratsbehälter 5 beaufschlagt. An der Ausgangsleitung des Vorratsbehälters 5 ist dazu eine Abzweigung 27 vorgesehen. Zurückgespeist wird das karbonisierte Wasser in die Zuführungsleitung 8 an einer Einkoppelstelle 28, so daß das karbonisierte Wasser in der gleichen Art wie zugeführtes Frischwasser wieder in den Vorratsbehälter 5 gelangt. Rückschlagventile 29 verhindern ein Zurückströmen von karbonisiertem Wasser in die Wasserversorgungsleitung.From the branch point 21 to the shut-off valve 20, the supplied Water through a secondary line 23 one Heat exchanger 24 led to the issue point. This measure serves the non-carbonized, for providing to adequately cool the water required for a drink, without having to provide your own cooling system. In the primary-side line 25, the heat exchanger 24 via a feed pump 26 with carbonated water from the Reservoir 5 acted upon. On the output line of the A reservoir 27 is provided for this purpose. Fed back the carbonated water enters the feed line 8 at a coupling point 28, so that the carbonized Water in the same way as the feed Fresh water gets back into the reservoir 5. Check valves 29 prevent backflow of carbonized Water into the water supply line.

Die Verwendung des Wärmetauschers 24 dient dazu, das nichtkarbonisierte, für die Bereitung eines Getränks benötigte Wasser ausreichend zu kühlen. Auch die Kältekapazität des Eismantels wird auf diese Art und Weise mit genutzt. Der Umlauf des karbonisierten Wassers aus dem Vorratsbehälter 5 durch den Wärmetauscher 24 und wieder zurück in den Vorratsbehälter 5 hat auch den vorteil, daß insbesondere die Ausgangsleitung aus dem Vorratsbehälter 5 nicht der Gefahr einer Vereisung unterliegt. Zudem wird über den Wärmetauscher 24 die zur Verfügung stehende, gekühlte Wassermenge des Vorratsbehälters 5 erweitert. The use of the heat exchanger 24 serves to remove the non-carbonized, needed to prepare a drink Cool water sufficiently. The cooling capacity of the Ice jacket is used in this way. The circulation the carbonated water from the reservoir 5 through the heat exchanger 24 and back into the storage container 5 also has the advantage that in particular the output line from the storage container 5 no risk of Icing is subject. In addition, the heat exchanger 24 available, cooled amount of water in the reservoir 5 expanded.

Da an sich die Ausgabeleistung des Geräts nicht durch die zusätzliche Möglichkeit erweitert werden soll, kann ansonsten die ursprünglich für nur karbonisierte Getränke in Ansatz gebrachte Kälteleistung ohne Qualitätsverluste beibehalten werden.Since the output performance of the device itself is not determined by the additional possibility to be expanded can otherwise which was originally approached for carbonated drinks only maintained cooling capacity without loss of quality will.

Claims (2)

  1. Device for preparing and dispensing refreshment drinks of one of a plurality of drink concentrate and cooled water enriched with CO2 gas or cooled water not enriched with CO2 gas, comprising a pressure pump (10), a branching system (21), valves (12, 20) controlled depending on the amount of water required, a refillable, cooled storage tank (5) in which the water is enriched with CO2 gas and a line (23) for water not enriched with CO2 gas, which line (23) is cooled by thermal coupling with the storage tank (5), the branching system (21) being arranged downstream of the pressure pump (10) and guiding the water selectively via the storage tank (5) or via a bypass line with respect to the storage tank (5) in the mixing area for mixing with the drink concentrate, characterized
    in that the bypass line forms the cooled line (23) and is guided through a heat exchanger (24) which on the primary side is fed by a feed pump (26) with the CO2-containing cooled water from the storage tank (5), and
    in that the CO2-containing water returned from the heat exchanger to the storage tank (5) is sprayed into the CO2 filled head area of the storage tank (5).
  2. Device according to claim 1, characterized by the flow being countercurrent in the adjacent chambers (lines 23, 25) of the heat exchanger (24) which are connected in a thermally well conducting manner.
EP93919162A 1992-08-28 1993-08-25 Device for preparing and dispensing refreshing beverages Expired - Lifetime EP0609424B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE4228775A DE4228775A1 (en) 1992-08-28 1992-08-28 Device for preparing and dispensing soft drinks
DE4228775 1992-08-28
PCT/EP1993/002280 WO1994005591A1 (en) 1992-08-28 1993-08-25 Device for preparing and dispensing refreshing beverages

Publications (2)

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EP0609424A1 EP0609424A1 (en) 1994-08-10
EP0609424B1 true EP0609424B1 (en) 1998-12-02

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EP93919162A Expired - Lifetime EP0609424B1 (en) 1992-08-28 1993-08-25 Device for preparing and dispensing refreshing beverages

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US (1) US5413742A (en)
EP (1) EP0609424B1 (en)
JP (1) JP3490440B2 (en)
AT (1) ATE174003T1 (en)
AU (1) AU4952793A (en)
CA (1) CA2122056C (en)
DE (2) DE4228775A1 (en)
WO (1) WO1994005591A1 (en)
ZA (1) ZA936292B (en)

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA2122056A1 (en) 1994-03-17
CA2122056C (en) 1996-12-10
ZA936292B (en) 1994-03-16
DE59309186D1 (en) 1999-01-14
JP3490440B2 (en) 2004-01-26
US5413742A (en) 1995-05-09
ATE174003T1 (en) 1998-12-15
WO1994005591A1 (en) 1994-03-17
AU4952793A (en) 1994-03-29
EP0609424A1 (en) 1994-08-10
JPH07503221A (en) 1995-04-06
DE4228775A1 (en) 1994-03-03

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