Patent Application
20240316514
The present invention relates to a receiving device for receiving a bottle on a carbonation machine.
Such receiving devices are generally known as part of carbonation machines that are provided for carbonating a liquid, such as water. Such carbonation machines are in particular also referred to as drinking water carbonators and are used as household appliances by end consumers. Carbonation machines may be used in principle for carbonating different liquids and for preparing various beverages. For the carbonating operation, the machines typically have an exchangeable CO2 cartridge that provides the gas that is added to the liquid. The liquid that is to be carbonated is typically poured into a bottle. The bottle with the liquid is then attached to the carbonation machine in order for the carbonating operation to be performed.
EP 3 040 114 B1 has disclosed a carbonation machine for household use, comprising a carbonation assembly for carbonating liquid in a bottle using pressurized gas from a filling vessel, and comprising a pronged clamp for fastening the bottle to the carbonation machine.
An important aspect is that the bottle must be fastened securely and stably to the machine, because an elevated pressure prevails during the carbonating operation. In order to reliably withstand this pressure and in order that the bottle does not become undesirably detached from the machine, a correspondingly reliable and stable connection must be established between the bottle and the machine. At the same time, the connection must be releasable in a user-friendly and convenient manner after the liquid has been carbonated, and must preferably be designed for a high number of carbonating operations over its service life.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a receiving device for receiving a bottle on a carbonation machine, which receiving device allows the bottle to be fastened in a user-friendly manner, and at the same time securely and stably, to the carbonation machine.
Said object is achieved by means of a receiving device according to the present disclosure. The receiving device according to the invention for receiving a bottle on a carbonation machine has the advantage over the prior art that, by means of the iris device, it can be achieved that the bottle is advantageously attached in the receiving device and is secured against sliding out of the receiving device. In particular, the iris device serves for fastening the bottle the receiving device such that the bottle can no longer escape downwardly from the receiving device. It is in particular conceivable that, in the attachment state, the bottle is fastened to the receiving device with a clearance, but so as to no longer be removable and so as to be secured against undesired downward detachment from the receiving device, by means of the fastening device and in particular with the aid of the iris device.
Typically, for the intended carbonation of the liquid in the bottle, it is necessary for the bottle to be fixed in a way that can reliably withstand even a high pressure that prevails during the carbonating operation, without the bottle becoming detached from the carbonation machine in the process. According to the invention, by means of the iris device, the bottle can be attached to the receiving device in a way that reliably withstands even the high pressure during the carbonating operation. At the same time, the receiving device according to the invention is advantageously easy to operate and provides a high level of user convenience, for example because it eliminates the need for the bottle to be laboriously screwed in manually by a user.
According to the invention, it is preferably conceivable for the receiving device to be provided for receiving a bottle for a carbonation machine for household use.
By means of the receiving device according to the invention for receiving a bottle on a carbonation machine, the bottle is in particular reversibly connectable to the carbonation machine. The bottle can thus preferably be released from the carbonation machine after the end of the carbonating operation.
The bottle is preferably manufactured entirely or partially from glass. It is alternatively or additionally conceivable for the bottle to comprise plastics material and/or metal.
The bottle is preferably designed to withstand an internal pressure that is elevated in relation to normal ambient pressure (of approximately 1 bar). For example, it is conceivable for the bottle to be designed to withstand an internal pressure of up to 11 bar, preferably up to 15 bar, particularly preferably up to 18 bar, without rupturing (at a temperature of 20° C. and an ambient pressure of 1 bar).
The carbonation machine can preferably be fitted with an exchangeable gas cartridge, in particular a CO2 cartridge, which provides the gas for carbonating the liquid. The liquid that is to be carbonated is preferably poured into the bottle, and is particularly preferably present in the bottle when the bottle is received in the receiving device.
The liquid that is to be carbonated may for example be water or a flavored beverage.
Advantageous developments and refinements of the invention can be found in the disclosure herein and in the description that refers to the drawings.
In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the iris device has an, in particular central, opening, wherein the opening of the iris device preferably has a variable size, in particular a variable opening diameter. The opening of the iris device is provided for receiving a bottle neck of the bottle. In one refinement of the invention, the iris device may thus also be understood as an iris aperture device. A variation of the size of the opening of the iris device enables the bottle to firstly be introduced into the opening of the iris device and subsequently fastened by means of the iris device to the receiving device.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the receiving device is transferable from a bottle-receiving state, which is provided for receiving the bottle, into an attachment state, in which the bottle is attached to the receiving device, wherein the receiving device is configured such that, as the receiving device is transferred from the bottle-receiving state into the attachment state, the size of the opening of the iris device decreases. A particularly high level of user convenience can thus be achieved, because the bottle can be fastened automatically as the receiving device is transferred from the bottle-receiving state into the attachment state, in particular without the need for a separate mechanism or triggering means (for example a pushbutton) to be actuated for this purpose. Furthermore, no motor system or the like is required for fixing and securely fastening the bottle, whereby fault susceptibility and costs can be reduced.
In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the iris device has an iris element, wherein the iris element is pivotable, wherein the iris element is arranged in a radially outer position in the bottle-receiving state, wherein, as the receiving device is transferred from the bottle-receiving state into the attachment state, the iris element is pivoted from its radially outer position into a radially inner position about a pivot axis, wherein the radially inner position is preferably provided for fastening the bottle. The size of the opening of the iris device is thus variable by means of the iris element. In particular, as the receiving device is transferred from the bottle-receiving state into the attachment state, the movement of the iris element causes the opening of the iris device to automatically become smaller, such that the bottle is fastened to the receiving device and can no longer slide out downward.
In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the iris element has a guide means, wherein the fastening device has an intermediate element, wherein the intermediate element has a counterpart guide means which in particular complements the guide means of the iris element, wherein, as the receiving device is transferred from the bottle-receiving state into the attachment state, the iris element is guided from its radially outer position into its radially inner position by the guide means and the counterpart guide means. The guide means of the iris element advantageously makes it possible that, as the receiving device is transferred from the bottle-receiving state into the attachment state, the iris element is automatically positively guided radially inward toward the bottle, such that the bottle is fastened in such a way that it can no longer escape downwardly from the receiving device.
In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the intermediate element has a further guide means, wherein the receiving device has a further counterpart guide means which in particular complements the further guide means of the intermediate element, wherein the receiving device is configured such that—as the receiving device is transferred from the bottle-receiving state into the attachment state—the intermediate element is guided by the further guide means and the further counterpart guide means such that the intermediate element performs a rotational movement, in particular in a circumferential direction of the intermediate element.
In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the receiving device is configured such that—as the receiving device is transferred from the bottle-receiving state into the attachment state—the iris element is guided from its radially outer position into its radially inner position by the rotational movement of the intermediate element and by the guide means and the counterpart guide means. There are thus advantageously two elements to the positive guidance of the iris element as the receiving device is transferred from the bottle-receiving state into the attachment state. Owing to the tilting movement of the fastening device—as the receiving device is transferred from the bottle-receiving state into the attachment state—the intermediate element is forced to perform a rotational movement by its further guide means, which interacts with the further counterpart guide means. This rotational movement of the intermediate element causes the counterpart guide means of the intermediate element to be moved relative to the guide means of the iris element, which interacts with the counterpart guide means, whereby the iris element is pivoted and, in the process, is guided from its radially outer position into its radially inner position. The size of the opening of the iris device is thus reduced, such that the bottle is advantageously fastened.
In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the iris device has a plurality of iris elements, wherein the iris elements are each pivotable, wherein the iris elements are each arranged in a radially outer position in the bottle-receiving state, wherein, as the receiving device is transferred from the bottle-receiving state into the attachment state, the iris elements are each pivoted from their radially outer positions into radially inner positions about their pivot axes, wherein the radially inner positions are preferably provided for fastening the bottle. The iris elements are preferably each guided from their radially outer positions into their radially inner positions by means of the intermediate element as the receiving device is transferred from the bottle-receiving state into the attachment state. The pivot axes of the plurality of iris elements are preferably arranged parallel to one another. In particular, it is conceivable that the pivot axes of the iris elements are parallel to the central axis of the bottle both when the receiving device is in the bottle-receiving state (when the bottle has already been placed into the receiving device) and when the receiving device is in the preparation state. In particular, it is conceivable that, during the tilting movement of the bottle (as the receiving device is transferred from the bottle-receiving state into the attachment state), the pivot axes of the iris elements are tilted concomitantly so as to remain parallel to the central axis of the bottle. It is preferable if the iris elements of the plurality of iris elements all pivot in a right-handed movement, that is to say in particular clockwise, or all pivot in a left-handed movement, that is to say in particular counterclockwise, during their movements from their radially outer positions into their radially inner positions.
In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of iris elements together form the iris device. The iris elements are arranged in a circumferential direction so as to have a central opening. It is conceivable for the iris elements to directly adjoin one another in the circumferential direction, or for a gap to be present between adjacent iris elements in the circumferential direction. In a refinement of the present invention in which all adjacent iris elements directly adjoin one another, the opening formed by the iris elements is completely enclosed in the circumferential direction by the iris elements. By contrast, in an alternative refinement of the present invention in which some or all iris elements have gaps in the circumferential direction to the adjacent iris elements, the opening of the iris device is not completely enclosed in the circumferential direction, but rather has gaps.
In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of iris elements comprise five iris elements. It is alternatively conceivable for the plurality of iris elements to comprise three, four, six or more than six iris elements.
In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the pivoting of the plurality of iris elements from their radially outer positions into their radially inner positions causes the size of the opening of the iris device to decrease. The iris elements are preferably each pivotable, such that the size of the opening of the iris device varies as a result of a pivoting movement of the plurality of iris elements. The iris device is thus in the form of an iris aperture. In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fastening and/or securing of the bottle to the receiving device takes place as the receiving device is transferred from the bottle-receiving state into the attachment state, that is to say in particular only after the bottle has been received in the receiving device in the bottle-receiving state. It is preferably possible for such fastening and/or securing of the bottle to be performed by means of the iris device. As the bottle is received on the carbonation machine in the bottle-receiving state, the iris device is preferably in an opened state, in which the bottle is not yet fastened to the receiving device by the iris device. In this opened state, the opening of the iris device is of such a size that the bottle neck, preferably including any projections on the bottle neck, can be moved into the opening of the iris device. As the receiving device is transferred from the bottle-receiving state into the attachment state, the size of the opening of the iris device automatically decreases, in particular owing to the positive guidance of the plurality of iris elements by means of the intermediate element, such that the iris device is transferred into a state in which the bottle is fastened in the receiving device, in particular with a clearance, and/or such that removal and detachment of the bottle from the receiving device are prevented.
In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, when the receiving device is in the bottle-receiving state, the bottle can be arranged in an, in particular non-vertical, receiving position on the receiving device,
In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, as the receiving device is transferred from the bottle-receiving state into the attachment state, the bottle performs a tilting movement from the, in particular non-vertical, receiving position into the, in particular vertical, preparation position. During the transfer from the bottle-receiving state into the attachment state, the fastening device for the bottle is preferably, at least in part, pivoted or tilted concomitantly with the bottle such that the bottle is transferred from a non-vertical receiving position into a vertical preparation position. It is however preferable here for not all elements of the receiving device to be tilted or concomitantly moved. For example, it is conceivable that the further counterpart guide means of the receiving device is not concomitantly moved and tilted, but remains immovable in its position on the carbonation machine. The further counterpart guide means thus allows guidance of the intermediate element such that, during the tilting movement of the bottle, the intermediate element is forced by the further counterpart guide means and the further guide means to perform a rotational movement, whereby the size of the opening of the iris device changes.
It is alternatively conceivable that, in the attachment state, the bottle is arranged in a non-vertical preparation position, such that its central axis is for example arranged at an angle with respect to the normal to a surface on which the carbonation machine is arranged. In this case, it is conceivable for the carbonation to be performed with the bottle in a non-vertical preparation position. In this case, too, it is conceivable that, during the transfer from the bottle-receiving state into the attachment state, the bottle attached to the receiving device is preferably tilted or changes its angle with respect to the underlying surface. The bottle and the receiving device provided for receiving the bottle thus at least partially perform a tilting or rotational movement during the transfer from the bottle-receiving state into the attachment state.
In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the guide means of the iris element has a projection, pin and/or bolt,
It is alternatively conceivable that the guide means has a rail, in particular a recess and/or depression,
In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is conceivable for the bottle to have, in a circumferential direction, a projection and/or bead which, in the attachment state, is arranged above the iris device, in particular above the iris elements of the iris device. By means of the projection and/or bead, it is particularly advantageously possible to prevent the bottle from being able to be pushed downwardly out of the fastening device by the pressure that prevails during the carbonating operation. It is conceivable for the projection and/or bead to be formed in a circumferential direction on the bottle neck of the bottle over the entire circumference, or alternatively only over a sub-region and/or in certain portions, that is to say with one or more gaps. In the attachment state, the iris device encompasses the bottle neck, in particular below the projection and/or bead of the bottle neck. Thus, in the attachment state, the projection and/or bead of the bottle neck can rest on the iris device. This particularly advantageously prevents the bottle from being able to escape downwardly from the receiving device.
In one embodiment of the present invention, it is additionally or alternatively conceivable for the bottle to have, in a circumferential direction, a corrugation into which the iris device can engage. The corrugation of the bottle is preferably a corrugation that completely encircles the bottle neck of the bottle, such that the bottle does not need to be inserted in a specified rotational angle into the carbonation machine. In one embodiment of the present invention, it is conceivable for the corrugation to be arranged below the projection and/or bead of the bottle neck, particularly preferably so as to directly adjoin the projection and/or bead. It is alternatively conceivable for the bottle neck to have only either a corrugation of said type or a projection and/or bead.
In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the iris element and its guide means are formed as a single piece. This is correspondingly conceivable for each of the further iris elements of the plurality of iris elements of the iris device. The individual iris elements of the plurality of iris elements are preferably mutually separate parts.
In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the iris element has a plastics material, wherein the plurality of iris elements preferably each have a plastics material. It is thus possible for the iris elements to each be plastics parts. It is conceivable for the iris element or the plurality of iris elements to additionally or alternatively have further materials, for example one or more metals.
In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the further guide means of the intermediate element has a projection, pin and/or bolt, wherein the further counterpart guide means of the receiving device preferably has a rail configured for guiding the further guide means, in particular has a recess and/or depression. The rail preferably has a curving region and/or a region that is inclined relative to a vertical direction of the carbonation machine, such that the further guide means is forced to perform a horizontal movement as it moves vertically in the rail of the further counterpart guide means. The intermediate element thus performs a rotational movement as the receiving device is transferred from the bottle-receiving state into the attachment state, in particular during the tilting movement of the bottle. Via the counterpart guide means and guide means, this rotational movement of the intermediate element causes the iris element to be moved in the direction of the bottle neck as the receiving device is transferred from the bottle-receiving state into the attachment state.
It is alternatively conceivable that the further guide means of the intermediate element has a rail, in particular a recess and/or depression,
In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the intermediate element comprises a disk-shaped main body, preferably having a central opening.
In one embodiment of the present invention, it is conceivable for the counterpart guide means of the intermediate element for guiding the plurality of iris elements to be formed in particular as rails in the main body of the intermediate element, in which rails the guide means of the plurality of iris elements are each guided. The further guide means of the intermediate element is in particular a projection, pin and/or bolt that protrudes outwardly from the main body of the intermediate element. During the tilting movement of the fastening device from the bottle-receiving state into the attachment state, the further guide means, that is to say in particular the projection, pin and/or bolt, moves in a vertical direction in the further counterpart guide means, designed as a rail, of the receiving device. Here, the further counterpart guide means does not concomitantly perform the tilting movement of the bottle and fastening device, but preferably remains static relative to the surface underlying the carbonation machine. The further guide means is in this case (that is to say during its vertical movement in the counterpart guide means) forced to perform a sideward movement owing to the geometrical design of the further counterpart guide means. This sideward movement of the further guide means causes the rotational movement of the intermediate element in the circumferential direction. The rotational movement of the intermediate element in the circumferential direction causes the counterpart guide means of the intermediate element, that is to say the rails and/or cutouts of the intermediate element, to also move in the circumferential direction, such that the counterpart guide means of the intermediate element are moved relative to the guide means of the iris elements. The geometrical design of the counterpart guide means is in particular such that, in this case (that is to say during the rotational movement of the intermediate element), the guide means are guided in a radial direction by the counterpart guide means, which leads to a pivoting movement of the plurality of iris elements in the direction of the bottle neck. This causes the size of the opening of the iris device to be reduced and the iris device to be guided into a locking position in which it prevents the bottle from being able to escape downwardly from the receiving device.
The present invention furthermore relates to a carbonation machine comprising a receiving device for receiving a bottle according to an embodiment of the present invention.
In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, in particular of the carbonation machine, it is conceivable that, as the receiving device is transferred from the bottle-receiving state into the attachment state, the bottle performs a tilting movement, as a result of which the bottle is transferred from an, in particular oblique, receiving position (in the bottle-receiving state) into an, in particular vertical, preparation position (in the attachment state). It is preferably possible for the fastening of the bottle by means of the fastening device to take place during the tilting movement of the bottle from its, in particular oblique, receiving position (in the bottle-receiving state) into its, in particular vertical, preparation position. In the preparation position, the bottle preferably still has a clearance within the receiving device. However, in the preparation position, the fastening device prevents the bottle from being able to exit the receiving device. It is preferably possible for the transfer of the receiving device from the bottle-receiving state into the attachment state to take place by way of the tilting movement of the bottle. The tilting movement of the bottle may for example be performed by a user, who moves the bottle from the receiving position into the preparation position. It is alternatively or additionally possible that the bottle performs the tilting movement from the receiving position into the preparation position (in particular after the bottle has been received in the carbonation machine by means of the receiving device) automatically under gravitational force, in particular without additional force being applied by the user. It is alternatively or additionally conceivable that the carbonation machine, in particular the receiving device for receiving the bottle, is acted on by a spring force, wherein the spring force causes and/or assists the tilting movement of the bottle (in particular after the bottle has been inserted into the carbonation machine in the bottle-receiving state). In one embodiment of the present invention, fastening of the bottle to the carbonation machine or to the receiving device for receiving the bottle does not yet take place in the bottle-receiving state, in particular as the bottle is received or inserted. It is thus particularly advantageously possible that the bottle does not need to be separately fastened as the bottle is received in the bottle-receiving state. The need for the bottle to be screwed into the carbonation machine, for example, can thus be eliminated. The fastening/fixing of the bottle advantageously takes place for the first time as the receiving device is transferred from the bottle-receiving state into the attachment state, and in particular in automated fashion, thus increasing user convenience and ease of operation.
In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, in particular of the carbonation machine, the carbonation machine comprises a safety element, in particular a safety door and/or safety window, wherein, in the attachment state, the safety element can be arranged in front of the bottle such that, by means of the safety element, the bottle is arranged, in particular entirely, within the carbonation machine. The safety element thus protects the surroundings of the carbonation machine, and in particular a user, in the event of accidents. For example, it is conceivable that the bottle has damage that is not perceived by or perceptible to the user. In this case, the bottle could rupture or shatter as a result of the high pressure during the carbonating operation. However, since the safety element is arranged in front of the bottle during the carbonating operation, the safety element protects the surroundings and the user. The safety element may for example comprise safety glass and/or some other material, for example a metal and/or a plastics material, which withstands a shattering/exploding bottle or offers protection against the fragments of the bottle. It is conceivable that the safety element is automatically arranged in front of the bottle, for example pushed in front of the bottle, as the receiving device is transferred from the bottle-receiving state into the attachment state, or that a user arranges the safety element in front of the bottle. Closure of the safety element using an actuation element, such as a pushbutton, is also conceivable. For example, the safety element may be a sliding door which automatically closes as a result of the tilting movement of the bottle as the receiving device is transferred from the bottle-receiving state into the attachment state.
The carbonation machine preferably comprises an actuation element for the initiation of a carbonating operation by a user, said actuation element being coupled to the safety element, in particular the safety door and/or safety window, such that a carbonating operation can be started only when the safety element has been arranged in front of the bottle such that, by means of the safety element, the bottle is arranged, in particular entirely, within the carbonation machine.
In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, in particular of the carbonation machine, the carbonation machine comprises a seal means for sealing off the bottle with respect to surroundings during a carbonating operation, wherein the seal means seals off the bottle with respect to the surroundings, in particular by means of a pressure provided by a gas cartridge, during the carbonating operation. Pneumatic compensation is thus achieved. Here, the gas cartridge is in particular the gas cartridge that provides the gas for carbonating the liquid. It is thus advantageously possible for the sealing of the bottle with respect to the surroundings to take place as a result of the actuation of an actuation means for initiating the carbonating operation, for example as a result of the actuation of a pushbutton or touchpad. The gas pressure that is provided by the gas cartridge (during the carbonating operation) is thus particularly advantageously also used for sealing off the bottle, which has the liquid that is to be carbonated, to the outside during the carbonating operation.
In one embodiment of the present invention, in the attachment state and in particular during the carbonating operation, a gas feed means projects into the bottle. The gas cartridge is attached to the gas feed means such that, during the carbonating operation, the gas from the gas cartridge is introduced via the gas feed means into the bottle for the purposes of carbonating the liquid. The gas feed means is in particular led through a passage opening in the seal means, and thus projects into the bottle. The gas pressure that is provided by the gas cartridge (during the carbonating operation) is preferably also used for pushing the seal means against the bottle and thus sealing off the bottle to the outside during the carbonating operation. The liquid in the bottle can thus be carbonated in an advantageous manner via the gas feed means that projects into the bottle.
In one embodiment of the present invention, it is conceivable that the seal means protrudes in a radial direction beyond the bottle neck or beyond the mouth region of the bottle, such that, when said seal means is pushed against the mouth region of the bottle by the pressure provided by the gas cartridge, said seal means reliably seals off the bottle to the outside. It is alternatively conceivable that the seal means does not protrude in a radial direction beyond the mouth region of the bottle. The seal means preferably has an, in particular central, passage opening for the leadthrough of the gas feed means, such that the gas feed means projects through the seal means into the interior of the bottle. It is conceivable for the seal means to be at least partially elastic in order to achieve an advantageous seal when the seal means is pressed against the bottle or the mouth region of the bottle. In particular, with an elastic or partially elastic seal means, it is also possible for tolerances of the bottle, in particular unevennesses on the bottle neck, to be advantageously compensated, thus enabling particularly advantageous sealing of the bottle. The seal means preferably has silicone. It is possible here that the bottle is fixed, and held in a fixed position, during the carbonating operation by the pressure with which the seal means is pushed onto the mouth region of the bottle during the carbonating operation. In particular, it is conceivable for a projection and/or bead of the bottle neck to be pushed against the iris device by the pressure that is exerted on the bottle by the seal means. The bottle is thus clamped by the seal means and the iris device during the carbonating operation.
In one embodiment of the present invention, it is conceivable that the carbonation machine comprises a pressure chamber, wherein the pressure chamber is in particular formed adjacent to the seal means. Advantageous automatic sealing of the bottle with respect to the surroundings is thus possible by means of the pressure chamber and the seal means. In particular, it is possible for the bottle to be sealed with respect to the surroundings automatically as soon as the carbonating operation is started and the gas cartridge is opened. It is advantageously conceivable that the iris device fixes the bottle such that, despite the positive pressure that is generated in the pressure chamber (during the carbonating operation) and/or the pressure that the seal means exerts on the bottle, the bottle remains securely fastened in the carbonation machine and in particular is not pushed downwardly out of the carbonation machine.
In one embodiment of the present invention, it is conceivable that, in particular during the carbonating operation, the pressure chamber is connected via a gas connection to an interior of the bottle, preferably such that, during the carbonating operation, a positive pressure provided by the gas cartridge is generated in the pressure chamber, wherein the seal means is pushed against the bottle, in particular such that the bottle is sealed off with respect to the surroundings, by the positive pressure in the pressure chamber. The gas connection between the interior of the bottle and the pressure chamber is preferably in the form of a channel, in particular a channel formed by the seal means. The channel produces a gas connection between the interior of the bottle and the pressure chamber. Now, when a positive pressure is generated in the bottle as a result of the gas cartridge being opened, a positive pressure likewise takes effect in the pressure chamber through the gas connection or the channel. The positive pressure in the pressure chamber is thus particularly advantageously generated by means of the gas cartridge. This positive pressure in the pressure chamber preferably causes the seal means to be pushed downwardly against the bottle, in particular against the mouth region of the bottle, which advantageously results in the bottle being sealed off with respect to the surroundings.
In one advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the carbonation machine has at least one pressure relief valve via which a positive pressure that is present in the bottle can be dissipated after the carbonating operation. The pressure relief valve is preferably switchable between a closed position, in which a positive pressure in the bottle is maintained, and an opened position, in which a positive pressure in the bottle can be dissipated via the valve. The carbonation machine preferably comprises a control element for switching the pressure relief valve. The control element may be actuated by a user of the carbonation machine after a carbonating operation in order to move the pressure relief valve into its opened position and dissipate a positive pressure that is present in the bottle. If the carbonation machine comprises a safety element, in particular a safety door and/or safety window, the safety element is preferably configured to switch the pressure relief valve. The safety element is preferably configured such that, when the safety element is opened, the pressure relief valve is moved into its opened position and a positive pressure that is present in the bottle is dissipated.
The present invention furthermore relates to a method for using a carbonation machine according to an embodiment of the present invention,
It is possible that, after the carbonating operation, the receiving device is transferred back into the bottle-receiving state, such that the bottle with the carbonated liquid can be removed.
It is preferably possible that the carbonation of the liquid in the third step is performed using a gas cartridge which, via a gas feed means that projects into the interior of the bottle, provides a gas, in particular CO2, for the carbonation of the liquid in the bottle. The carbonation may for example be initiated by a user using an actuation element, in particular after the receiving device has reached the attachment state and/or after the bottle has been transferred into the preparation position and/or after a safety element, in particular a safety door and/or safety window, has been closed. As an actuation element for initiating the carbonating operation, use may for example be made of a pushbutton, a switch, a touchpad, an acoustic signal, an information-technology signal and/or further actuation elements. It is alternatively conceivable that the carbonating operation starts automatically after the attachment state has been reached and/or after a safety element, in particular a safety door and/or safety window, has been closed.
In one embodiment of the present invention, it is conceivable that, during the carbonating operation in the third step, a positive pressure is built up in the bottle, for the purposes of carbonating the liquid, by means of the gas cartridge. It is preferably possible that, via a gas connection or a channel between the interior of the bottle and a pressure chamber of the carbonation machine, in particular a pressure chamber of the receiving device, the positive pressure that is built up in the bottle is transferred to the pressure chamber. A direct gas connection between the pressure chamber and the gas cartridge (during the carbonating operation) would alternatively also be conceivable. The positive pressure thus built up in the pressure chamber causes a seal means that is arranged at the pressure chamber to be pushed downward in the direction of the bottle. The bottle is pushed downward by the seal means against the iris device, which is in the fastening state, wherein the iris device limits a downward movement of the bottle, in particular such that the bottle cannot be pushed out of the receiving device. It can thus be particularly advantageously ensured that the bottle remains in its preparation position or fastening position.
In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, in particular of the method, in the second step, as the receiving device is transferred from the bottle-receiving state into the attachment state, an iris element of the iris device is guided by its guide means in the direction of a bottle neck of the bottle, in particular such that the bottle is fastened by means of the iris element to the receiving device. It is perfectly possible that, in the second step, further iris elements of the plurality of iris elements are likewise guided by their respective guide means in the direction of a bottle neck of the bottle, in particular such that the bottle is fastened by means of the plurality of iris elements to the receiving device. In the second step, the bottle is thus preferably fastened by means of the plurality of iris elements of the iris device to the receiving device, in particular such that the bottle is no longer removable from the receiving device. Here, in the attachment state, the bottle may be fastened to the receiving device with a clearance, that is to say in particular so as to be movable in parallel with respect to its central axis (in particular upwardly/downwardly) within the receiving device. In its fastening position or preparation position, the bottle may thus in particular still be movable in parallel with respect to its central axis, the bottle however being prevented from exiting the receiving device by the fastening device. It is conceivable that—after the user lets go of the bottle—the bottle moves downward within its clearance under gravitational force, until the movement of said bottle is restricted by the fastening device, in particular by the iris device or its iris elements. Thus, in the attachment state, the bottle remains securely in the carbonation machine. After the user has let go of the bottle, the bottle can thus advantageously be held in a well-defined position by gravitational force and the fastening device. In particular, the flange of the bottle rests on the iris device, in particular on the plurality of iris elements.
In one embodiment of the present invention, it is conceivable that, in the second step, the bottle performs a tilting movement from an, in particular non-vertical, receiving position, in which the bottle has been arranged in the first step, into an, in particular vertical, preparation position. The receiving device for receiving the bottle is preferably, at least in part, tilted concomitantly with the bottle in the second step such that the bottle is transferred from the receiving position into the preparation position. It is preferably possible that, during this tilting movement in the second step, the bottle is fastened in the carbonation machine, in particular with a clearance, by means of the iris device. The tilting movement in the second step arises in particular from the fact that the bottle moves from the receiving position into the preparation position automatically under gravitational force. It is alternatively or additionally possible that a user moves the bottle from the receiving position into the preparation position. It is alternatively or additionally possible that the receiving device is acted on by a spring force, in particular such that, in the second step, the bottle is transferred automatically from the receiving position into the preparation position by means of the spring force.
In one advantageous embodiment of the present invention, in a fourth step that follows the third step, a pressure relief valve of the carbonation machine is opened in order to dissipate a positive pressure that is present in the bottle. The pressure relief valve may be opened as a result of a control element being actuated or as a result of a safety element, in particular a safety door and/or safety window, being opened.
The advantages and developments that have already been described in conjunction with the receiving device according to the invention for receiving a bottle on a carbonation machine or in conjunction with an embodiment of the receiving device according to the invention for receiving a bottle on a carbonation machine can be applied to the carbonation machine according to the invention and to the method according to the invention for using a carbonation machine. The advantages and developments that have already been described in conjunction with the carbonation machine according to the invention or in conjunction with an embodiment of the carbonation machine according to the invention can be applied to the receiving device according to the invention for receiving a bottle on a carbonation machine and to the method according to the invention for using a carbonation machine. The advantages and developments that have already been described in conjunction with the method according to the invention for using a carbonation machine or in conjunction with an embodiment of the method according to the invention for using a carbonation machine can be applied to the receiving device according to the invention for receiving a bottle on a carbonation machine and to the carbonation machine according to the invention.
Further details, features and advantages of the invention will emerge from the drawings and from the following description of preferred embodiments on the basis of the drawings. Here, the drawings illustrate merely exemplary embodiments of the invention, which do not restrict the essential concept of the invention.
Identical parts are always denoted by the same reference designations in the various figures, and will therefore generally also each be designated or mentioned only once.
The tilting movement 100 of the bottle 2 may for example be performed by a user, who moves the bottle 2 from the receiving position into the preparation position. It is alternatively or additionally possible that the bottle 2 performs the tilting movement 100 from the receiving position into the preparation position automatically under gravitational force, in particular without additional force being applied by the user. It is alternatively or additionally conceivable that the carbonation machine 1 and in particular the receiving device 10 is acted on by a spring force, wherein the spring force causes and/or assists the tilting movement 100 of the bottle 2. According to the invention, it is advantageously possible that a part of the receiving device 10 performs the tilting movement 100 concomitantly with the bottle 2, wherein the receiving device 10 is transferred from the bottle-receiving state into the attachment state of the receiving device 10, in which the bottle 2 is fastened to the receiving device 10.
A gas cartridge that provides the gas for carbonating a liquid, in particular water, which is situated in the bottle 2 can be introduced on the rear side 1′ of the carbonation machine 1.
In the illustrated exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the bottle 2 is secured in particular as follows. In the bottle-receiving state, the bottle 2 is introduced in an oblique position, or receiving position, into the receiving device 10. As the receiving device is transferred from the bottle-receiving state into the attachment state, the bottle 2 performs a tilting movement 100, wherein the bottle 2 is transferred from the oblique receiving position (in the bottle-receiving state) into an, in particular vertical, preparation position (in the attachment state). The iris device 30 and the intermediate element 70 perform this tilting movement 100 concomitantly with the bottle 2, whilst the counterpart guide part 80 remains static on the carbonation machine 1. During the tilting movement 100 of the bottle 2 from the receiving position (in the bottle-receiving state) into the preparation position (in the attachment state), the further guide means 76, designed as a pin, of the intermediate element 70 moves in a vertical direction in the further counterpart guide means 81, designed as a rail, of the counterpart guide part 80. In the process, owing to the geometrical design of the further counterpart guide means 81, the further guide means 76 is forced to perform a sideward movement. This sideward movement of the further guide means 76 leads to a rotational movement of the intermediate element 70 in the circumferential direction. The rotational movement of the intermediate element 70 in the circumferential direction causes the counterpart guide means 71, 72, 73, 74, 75 of the intermediate element 70 to likewise move in the circumferential direction, such that the counterpart guide means 71, 72, 73, 74, 75 are moved relative to the guide means 41, 42, 43, 44, 45 of the iris elements 31, 32, 33, 34, 35. The geometrical design of the counterpart guide means 71, 72, 73, 74, 75 is such that, in the process (that is to say during the rotational movement of the intermediate element 70), the guide means 41, 42, 43, 44, 45 are guided, at least in part, in a radial direction (or along the radial axis 400) by the counterpart guide means 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, whereby the iris elements 31, 32, 33, 34, 35 are each forced to perform pivoting movements about their pivot axes in the direction of the bottle neck. This causes the size of the opening 90 of the iris device 30 to be reduced and the iris device 30 to be guided into a locking position in which it prevents the bottle 2 from being able to escape downwardly from the receiving device 10.
The carbonation machine furthermore comprises a seal means 50, which is pushed onto the mouth region of the bottle 2 for sealing purposes during the carbonating operation. In the state shown in
To carbonate the liquid that is situated in the bottle 2, a gas feed means 53 projects into the bottle 2 from above. Via the gas feed means 53, CO2 can enter the bottle 2 from a gas cartridge during the carbonating operation. A positive pressure thus forms in the interior 3 of the bottle 2. The interior 3 of the bottle 2 is connected via a gas connection 52 to a pressure chamber 51. The gas connection 52 is guided through the seal means 50 that is provided for sealing the bottle 2 during the carbonating operation. Via the gas connection 52, the positive pressure that builds up in the interior 3 of the bottle 2 during the carbonating operation is transferred to the pressure chamber 51, such that a positive pressure also prevails in the pressure chamber 51. This positive pressure in the pressure chamber 51 pushes the seal means 50 downward onto the mouth region of the bottle 2. The projection 6 of the bottle 2 is thus pushed firmly onto the iris device 30, and the bottle 2 is securely fixed and clamped. Particularly advantageous automatic pneumatic sealing during the carbonating operation is thus possible. The seal means 50 is preferably flexible and/or pliable. The seal means 50 may for example be manufactured using silicone.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 2021 211 109.2 | Oct 2021 | DE | national |
This application is a US National Stage of PCT/EP2022/077032 filed on Sep. 28, 2022, which claims priority to DE 10 2021 211 109.2 filed on Oct. 1, 2021, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety for all purposes.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2022/077032 | 9/28/2022 | WO |
