EP3312133A1 - Drinking water dispensing apparatus capable of producing carbonated water - Google Patents

Abstract

A carbonated beverage water dispensing apparatus comprising: - a refrigerated water tank (3) removable; - A circuit for producing carbonated water between an outlet of the tank (3) and a distribution point, comprising a pump (6) and a carbonator (39) and disposed downstream of the pump; a cooling circuit (4, 5) extending over the part of the production circuit going from the tank (3) to the pump (6), then from the pump (6) to a point of the production circuit situated between the pump and the carbonator, and from this point to the reservoir, the cooling circuit being disposed, over part of its length, in heat exchange with at least a portion of the carbonator, to cool it; and - Delay means (31) for circulating refrigerated water in the cooling circuit for a predetermined time before the production of carbonated water.

Description

The present invention relates to an apparatus for dispensing drinking water, capable of producing carbonated water.

It is more particularly a water fountain fed by the drinking water network or by an interchangeable bottle or bottle.

Distribution devices of this type are well known and are described in particular in the French patent applications FR2938248 and FR3005044 .

The carbonator or gasification device of this type of apparatus generally does not operate at a temperature allowing optimum production of carbonated water (ideally 4-5 ° C).

The water dispensing apparatus of the US patent US9309103 proposes, in this regard, to immerse the carbonator in a refrigeration tank also receiving a coil disposed upstream of the carbonator and for cooling water to room temperature, before passing into the carbonator.

The implementation of such provisions is detrimental to the compactness of the dispensing apparatus and is difficult if not impossible to implement when using, for hygienic reasons, a removable reservoir for the production of water. refrigerated water, as is the case with the dispensing apparatus of the aforementioned French patent applications.

The present invention generally relates to provisions to avoid these disadvantages and further leading to other advantages.

• un réservoir d'eau réfrigérée amovible ;
• un circuit de production d'eau gazeuse, s'étendant entre une sortie du réservoir et un point de distribution de l'eau gazeuse, le circuit comportant une pompe et un carbonateur pour gazéifier de l'eau réfrigérée en provenance du réservoir et disposé en aval de la pompe dans la direction du point de distribution ;

caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte en outre :

• un circuit de refroidissement s'étendant sur la partie du circuit de production d'eau gazeuse allant du réservoir à la pompe, puis de la pompe à un point du circuit de production situé entre la pompe et le carbonateur, et de ce point au réservoir, le circuit de refroidissement étant disposé, sur une partie de sa longueur, en situation d'échange thermique avec une partie au moins du carbonateur, de manière à le refroidir ; et
• des moyens de temporisation adaptés à faire circuler l'eau réfrigérée dans le circuit de refroidissement pendant une durée prédéterminée avant la production d'eau gazeuse via le circuit de production d'eau gazeuse.

More specifically, it relates to a drinking water dispensing apparatus comprising:

• a removable chilled water tank;
• a gaseous water production circuit, extending between an outlet of the tank and a distribution point of the carbonated water, the circuit comprising a pump and a carbonator for gasifying refrigerated water from the reservoir and disposed in downstream of the pump in the direction of the distribution point;

characterized in that it further comprises:

• a cooling circuit extending over the portion of the gaseous water production circuit from the tank to the pump, and then from the pump to a point in the production circuit located between the pump and the carbonator, and from this point to the reservoir , the cooling circuit being disposed, over part of its length, in heat exchange with at least a portion of the carbonator, so as to cool it; and
• timing means adapted to circulate refrigerated water in the cooling circuit for a predetermined time before the production of gaseous water via the gaseous water production circuit.

Thanks to these provisions, the carbonator is in optimal conditions of production of gaseous water in terms of the operating temperature. In addition, the circulation of water in the cooling circuit before any dispensing of carbonated water at the distribution point makes it possible to evacuate water from the circuit for producing carbonated water at ambient temperature which could have stagnated in the circuit of production of sparkling water since the last drawing. It is thus also avoided to dispense gaseous water heated by ambient temperature while it is usually distributed at temperatures between 5 and 10 ° C.

According to a particular arrangement, the gaseous water production circuit also comprises a flow control compensator disposed between the carbonator and the distribution point. This allows to regulate the output flow of carbonated water by maintaining a pressure in the carbonator, in order to improve the dissolution of the carbon dioxide in the water.

According to another particular arrangement, the compensator is constantly open to the air through the distribution point, thus avoiding a drop by drop due to the residual pressure in the water / carbon dioxide mixture.

According to yet another particular provision, the distribution point is formed by a jet-splitter connected to the compensator to avoid splashing during the distribution of water.

According to an original development in itself, this jetbreaker comprises two concentric tubes, the inner tube being closed at one end of the water distribution and having axial slots for the passage of water from the inner tube to the cylindrical space extending between the two tubes, this cylindrical space being open at the dispensing end and closed at its end opposite to that of distribution by connecting the inner tube to the outer tube.

• le carbonateur comporte une entrée de gaz reliée à une source de dioxyde de carbone via une électrovanne et une entrée d'eau réfrigérée reliée à la pompe via une électrovanne,
• le circuit de refroidissement comporte une électrovanne après son point de raccordement au circuit de production d'eau gazeuse,
• les entrées de dioxyde de carbone et d'eau réfrigérée forment deux extrémités opposées d'une chambre de production d'eau gazeuse en forme de Y ou de té,
• le carbonateur comporte un mélangeur statique raccordé à une sortie de la chambre de production d'eau gazeuse et pourvu d'au moins une ailette ou d'au moins une chicane disposée autour d'un axe central d'un tube,
• les parties du circuit de refroidissement et du carbonateur en situation d'échange thermique sont enveloppés dans une gaine isolante,
• l'appareil comporte un évaporateur entourant le réservoir amovible d'eau réfrigérée, pour la production de cette eau réfrigérée,
• l'appareil comporte des moyens de commande pour actionner les électrovannes, la pompe et comportant les moyens de temporisation,
• le carbonateur comporte des entrées d'eau réfrigérée et de gaz munies d'injecteurs calibrés.

According to other particular provisions, which may optionally be combined and chosen in particular for reasons of convenience of manufacture, cost and / or operating efficiency:

• the carbonator comprises a gas inlet connected to a source of carbon dioxide via a solenoid valve and a refrigerated water inlet connected to the pump via a solenoid valve,
• the cooling circuit comprises a solenoid valve after its point of connection to the circuit for producing carbonated water,
• the entrances of carbon dioxide and chilled water form two opposite ends of a chamber for producing carbonated water in the form of Y or tee,
• the carbonator comprises a static mixer connected to an outlet of the gaseous water production chamber and provided with at least one fin or at least one baffle arranged around a central axis of a tube,
• the parts of the cooling circuit and the carbonator in a heat exchange situation are wrapped in an insulating sheath,
• the apparatus comprises an evaporator surrounding the removable tank of chilled water, for the production of this refrigerated water,
• the apparatus comprises control means for actuating the solenoid valves, the pump and including the delay means,
• the carbonator comprises refrigerated water and gas inlets provided with calibrated injectors.

• la figure 1 est une vue schématique d'un appareil de distribution de boisson conforme à un premier mode de réalisation de la présente invention et
• la figure 2 est une vue schématique d'un deuxième mode de réalisation de cette invention.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the description of embodiments of the invention which follow, given by way of illustration and in no way limitative, with reference to the attached diagrammatic drawings in which:

• the figure 1 is a schematic view of a beverage dispensing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention and
• the figure 2 is a schematic view of a second embodiment of this invention.

The fountain 1 shown on the figure 1 is supplied with water by a spilled water canister 2 which feeds a refrigerated water tank 3 at the upper end of the fountain 1. The refrigeration of the water of the tank is obtained by means of an evaporator 34 and the tank 3 is removable in order to replace it for hygiene reasons.

By pressing the button of a selection switch 29 of the fountain 1, an electronic card 31 (printed circuit board) operates for a predetermined period of time, a pump 6 and a solenoid valve 7, to circulate water refrigerated from the tank 3 in a conduit 4 connecting the reservoir 3 to the pump 6, in this pump 6, the solenoid valve 7, then a conduit 5 which returns from the solenoid valve 7 to the tank 3.

The ducts 4 and 5 form a cooling circuit and are plated, for this purpose, on a tube 20 of a static mixer 21 of a carbonator, to refrigerate it and are isolated, for this purpose, by an insulating sheath 23.

A light 30 flashes during this predetermined period, during which the static mixer 21 is refrigerated and the water, which during a period of non-use has warmed upstream of the pump 6 in the conduit 4, is replaced by reference in the tank 3.

This predetermined period of time may be fixed (for example of the order of a few seconds, in this case 5 seconds), or variable, for example depending on a temperature of the water detected in the static mixer 21.

At the end of this programmed period, the indicator light 30 switches to steady light to indicate to the consumer the possibility of using by pressing again the button of the selector switch 29. The electronic card 31 will this time operate the pump 6 to make circulating the chilled water from the tank 3 in the conduit 4, a solenoid valve 8 also actuated at that time by the electronic card 31, a conduit 11 connecting the solenoid valve 8 to a carbonated water production chamber 28 of the carbonator 39 The refrigerated water enters this chamber 28 forming a container for producing carbonated water by a connection 17 fixed to the chamber 28 and a calibrated injector 13 of this chamber 28. The pump 6 is regulated by this calibrated injector 13 to regulate the pressure and the flow of chilled water entering the static mixer 21, thus avoiding having to adjust the flow of water, thus facilitating the start-up of the apparatus.

At the same time, a solenoid valve 9 is also engaged to send carbon dioxide from a bottle 32 to the gaseous water production chamber 28 via an expander 33, a conduit 10 connecting this expander 33 to the solenoid valve 9, this solenoid valve 9, a duct 12 connecting this solenoid valve 9 to the gaseous water production chamber 28 via a fitting 15 fixed to this chamber 28 and a calibrated injector 14. This calibrated injector 14 allows to regulate the flow of carbon dioxide entering the gaseous water production chamber 28, the carbon dioxide pressure being here predetermined and not adjustable in order to facilitate the start-up of the apparatus.

The refrigerated water and carbon dioxide mixture produced in the gaseous water production chamber 28 then passes through an outlet connection 19 of this chamber 28 into the tube 20 of the static mixer 21 and then through a connection 22 of the compensator 24, in this case. latest. In this compensator is an adjustable cone 25 and its sealing is provided by an O-ring 26.

A jetbreaker 27 is connected to the outlet of the compensator 24 to distribute the water to a cup 28.

It will be observed that the three connections 15, 17 and 19 of the gaseous water production chamber 28 are each attached to one end of a tee forming this chamber 28. In this chamber, the water is atomized into microscopic particles, which significantly increases the interaction between water and carbon dioxide. The resulting mixture then moves into the tube 20 of the static mixer 21, where further mixing takes place.

This static mixer comprises here a series of baffles arranged around the central axis of the tube 20. Alternatively, these baffles can be replaced by a single baffle or one or more fins.

The compensator 24 which is placed at the outlet of the static mixer 21 makes it possible to regulate the outlet flow of carbonated water by virtue of the cone 25, while maintaining a pressure in the mixer 21 in order to improve the dissolution of the carbon dioxide in the water. In addition, when the distribution of carbonated water is carried out, there is no more water in the carbonator 39 thanks to the fact that the carbon dioxide penetrating at the end of the gasification operation in the carbonator 39 causes the water remains to the outlet of the device. Moreover, the compensator 24 is open to the air (there is no outlet valve), which allows to avoid a phenomenon of drip due to a residual pressure present in the water / carbon dioxide mixture.

The baffle 27 mounted on the outlet duct of the compensator 24 makes it possible to break the flow of carbon dioxide contained in the static mixer 21 in order to prevent this gas with a little water from causing a jet of high pressure. at the end of the distribution on the water contained in the cup 28, which could generate splashing.

This is a specific jetbreaker comprising two concentric tubes 40, 41. The inner tube 41 is connected to the outer tube 40 at its end facing the compensator 24 (proximal end) and is closed at its opposite end ( distal end).
It comprises axial slots 42 for passing the gaseous water from the inner tube 41 to the cylindrical space extending between the two tubes 40, 41, this cylindrical space 43 being open at the end of dispensing carbonated water and closed at its opposite end (on the side of the compensator 24, because of the connection of the inner tube 41 to the outer tube 40). It will also be noted that the inner tube 41 is of shorter length than that of the tube 40.

Thanks to the present invention, the production of carbonated water is optimized in terms of the dissolution of carbon dioxide in water, the first glass of carbonated water dispensed is at a good temperature (between 5 and 10 ° C. in practice), and all this in a compact and easy to clean device.

As illustrated on the figure 2 the present invention can also be used in the context of a fountain connected to a drinking water network. In this case, the tank 2 is replaced by a connection to the drinking water network being in the form of a tube 38 connected to a valve 36 of water supply network. A float 37 equipping this valve is also provided for filling the chilled water tank 3 and a lid 35 closes the tank 3.

It will also be noted that the electronic card 21 here forms the control means and the delay means defined above.

The gaseous water production circuit defined above is formed by the ducts 4, 10, 11, 12, 16, the pump 6, the solenoid valves 8, 9, the carbonator 39 (formed by the chamber 28 and the mixer 21), the compensator 24 and the jetbreaker 27.

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments illustrated in these figures, but encompasses any variant within the scope of those skilled in the art.

In particular, only the conduit 5 could be used to refrigerate the carbonator. More generally, the cooling circuit can be arranged in a heat exchange situation with the entire carbonator and not only the static mixer 21, as well as the compensator 24.

In addition, the distribution of carbonated water may, instead of being carried out by a prolonged pressing of the button 29, as described above, be carried out by the distribution of a predefined volume by appropriate programming of the card electronic 31.

List of numerical references:

1. 1- Bottled water fountain
2. 2- Fountain of water
3. 3- Refrigerated water tank
4. 4- Refrigerated water pipe to the pump 6
5. 5- Water conduit back from the solenoid valve 7 to the tank 3
6. 6- Electric booster pump for water
7. 7- Refrigerated water return solenoid valve
8. 8- Refrigerated water inlet solenoid valve
9. 9- Carbon dioxide solenoid valve
10. 10- Gas duct
11. 11- Water pipe
12. 12- Gas duct
13. 13- Water injector
14. 14- Carbon dioxide injector
15. 15- Quick coupling
16. 16- Conduit
17. 17- Quick coupling
18. 18- Injection tee
19. 19- Quick coupling
20. 20-Tube
21. 21- Static mixer
22. 22- Quick coupling of the compensator
23. 23- Insulating sheath
24. 24- Compensator
25. 25- Adjustable compensator cone
26. 26- O-ring
27. 27- Jet burster
28. 28- Chamber of production of sparkling water
29. 29- Selection contactor
30. 30- Seeing
31. 31- Electronic card
32. 32- Bottle of carbon dioxide
33. 33- Gas pressure regulator with manometer
34. 34- Evaporator of the water tank
35. 35- Tank lid
36. 36- Water supply valve of the network
37. 37- Float valve inlet water
38. 38- Tube network water inlet
39. 39- Carbonator
40. 40-Tube
41. 41- Tube
42. 42- Axial slots
43. 43- Cylindrical space

Claims (15)

Apparatus for dispensing drinking water, capable of producing carbonated water and comprising: - a refrigerated water tank (3) removable; a circuit for producing gaseous water, extending between an outlet of the tank (3) and a point of distribution of the carbonated water, the circuit comprising a pump (6) and a carbonator (39) for gasifying the water; refrigerated water from the reservoir and disposed downstream of the pump in the direction of the distribution point; characterized in that it further comprises: a cooling circuit (4, 5) extending over the part of the gaseous water production circuit going from the tank (3) to the pump (6), then from the pump (6) to a point of the cooling circuit; production located between the pump and the carbonator, and from this point to the reservoir, the cooling circuit being disposed, over part of its length, in heat exchange with at least a portion of the carbonator, so as to cool it; and - Delay means (31) adapted to circulate refrigerated water in the cooling circuit for a predetermined time before the production of carbonated water via the gaseous water production circuit. Apparatus for dispensing drinking water as defined in claim 1, characterized in that the gaseous water production circuit comprises a flow control compensator (24) disposed between the carbonator and the distribution point. A drinking water dispensing apparatus as defined in claim 2, characterized in that the compensator is constantly open to the air through the dispensing point. Apparatus for dispensing drinking water as defined in any one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the compensator is also cooled by the cooling circuit. Apparatus for dispensing drinking water as defined in any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the dispensing point is formed by a jet baffle (27) connected to the compensator. Drinking-water dispensing apparatus as defined in claim 5, characterized in that the jet-breaker comprises two concentric tubes (40, 41), the inner tube being closed at a distal end with respect to the compensator and having axial slots (42) for passing the gaseous water from the inner tube to the cylindrical space (43) extending between the two tubes, this cylindrical space being open at the distribution end of the distribution point and closed at the opposite end by the connection of the inner tube to the outer tube. Apparatus for dispensing drinking water as defined in any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the carbonator comprises an inlet (15) of gas connected to a source (32) of carbon dioxide via a solenoid valve (9) and an inlet (17) of refrigerated water connected to the pump (6) via a solenoid valve (8). Apparatus for dispensing drinking water as defined in any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the cooling circuit comprises a solenoid valve (7) after its point of connection to the circuit for producing carbonated water. A drinking water dispensing apparatus as defined in claim 7, characterized in that the carbon dioxide and refrigerated water inlets form two opposite ends of a Y-shaped sparkling water production chamber or of tee. Drinking water dispensing apparatus as defined in claim 9, characterized in that the carbonator comprises a static mixer (21) connected to an outlet of the gaseous water production chamber and provided with at least one fin or at least one baffle disposed about a central axis of a tube (20). Apparatus for dispensing drinking water as defined in any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the parts of the cooling circuit and the carbonator in a heat exchange situation are wrapped in an insulating sheath. Apparatus for dispensing drinking water as defined in any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that it comprises an evaporator (34) surrounding the removable tank of chilled water, for the production of this chilled water . Apparatus for dispensing drinking water as defined in any one of claims 7 or 8, characterized in that it comprises control means for actuating the solenoid valves, the pump and including the delay means. Apparatus for dispensing drinking water as defined in any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the carbonator comprises inlets of refrigerated water and gas provided with calibrated injectors. Apparatus for dispensing drinking water as defined in any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that it is a fountain supplied with water by the network of drinking water or packaged in a tank or an interchangeable bottle.

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