The invention relates to a flow separation device (100), which may be provided in a beverage preparation device (1). The flow separation device (100) in particular effects an easier separation (redirection) of a flow. The flow separation device (100) comprises a first delivery line (30) to drain water from a buffer tank (2), a branching section (29) provided downstream the first delivery line (30), wherein the branching section (29) branches the first delivery line (30) into a second delivery line (28) and a third delivery line (23), each of the second and third delivery line (28, 23) leading to a respective discharge outlet (22; 24), and a flow rate control device (26) for delivering water through the flow separation device (100) and for adjusting the flow rate of the water. Each of the second delivery line (28) and third delivery line (23) comprises a respective section (281; 231), wherein said sections (281, 231) are arranged such that if water is delivered by the flow rate control device (26) at a flow rate below a defined threshold value the water is delivered beyond the section (281) of the second delivery line (28) but not beyond the section (231) of the third delivery line (23), thereby discharging the water via the discharge outlet (22) of the second delivery line (28), and if water is delivered by the flow rate control device (26) at a flow rate at or above the defined threshold value the water is at least partially delivered beyond the section (231) of the third delivery line (23), thereby discharging the water at least partially via the discharge outlet (24) of the third delivery line (23).

The invention relates to a method for preparing a beverage and to a beverage preparation device (1), such as a beverage dispenser, for simpler and more efficient sanitization of water. The beverage preparation device (1) comprises: a buffer tank (2) having a tank body for storing an amount of water, a recirculation line (20) configured to allow water circulating out of and back into the buffer tank (2) to form a recirculation path together with the buffer tank (2), a UV lamp (40) arranged for irradiating UV light at a position along the recirculation path to sanitize the water, a cooling unit (3) for cooling the water within the buffer tank (2), a discharge line (23) for discharging the water from the buffer tank (2) via a discharge outlet (24), and a pump (26) for selectively circulating water along the recirculation path or the discharge line (23) towards the discharge outlet.

The present application provides a beverage dispensing system using a sweetener. The beverage dispensing system may include a sweetener source with the sweetener therein, one or more rotating or stationary components positioned about a flow of the sweetener, and a component wash system positioned about the one or more rotating or stationary components to wash off the sweetener thereon.

The present application thus provides a beverage dispensing system for combining a macro-ingredient flow and a carbonated water flow. The beverage dispensing system may include a nozzle, a carbonated water source in communication with the nozzle via a carbonated water conduit and a carbonated water recirculation conduit, a macro-ingredient source in communication with the nozzle via a macro-ingredient conduit, and a macro-ingredient pump and an air chamber in communication with the macro-ingredient conduit. The carbonated water recirculation conduit is in communication with the air chamber for heat exchange therewith.

The present application thus provides a beverage dispensing system for combining a macro-ingredient flow and a carbonated water flow. The beverage dispensing system may include a nozzle, a carbonated water source in communication with the nozzle via a carbonated water conduit and a carbonated water recirculation conduit, a macro-ingredient source in communication with the nozzle via a macro-ingredient conduit, and a macro-ingredient pump and an air chamber in communication with the macro-ingredient conduit. The carbonated water recirculation conduit is in communication with the air chamber for heat exchange therewith.

Provided is a connector including a plug to be fixed to an inner peripheral surface of an opening of a liquid storing container, and a socket to be detachably attached to the plug. The plug includes a plug body including, formed therein, a first liquid outflow passage, a first liquid inflow passage, and a first gas passage. The socket includes: a socket body including, formed therein, a second liquid outflow passage, a second liquid inflow passage, and a second gas passage; and a ball lock mechanism that allows lock balls to be engaged with engagement grooves formed along a circumferential direction about an axial line in an outer peripheral surface of the opening of the liquid storing container and fixes the lock balls to the engagement grooves.

A carbonation tower for containers of household appliances, more specifically for appliances for the automatic preparation of instant drinks, which has been developed to provide more optimized operation and use and efficient than those achieved with the known similar. Said carbonation tower including a substantially elongated body included of at least one pipe provided with at least two holes and said pipe secured to a base including at least a nozzle, said cooperating base further including a lid of a lower compartment; said lid further including at least one toroidal contoured rib cooperating with at least one lower nozzle of the container, and wherein the water and the carbon dioxide are sucked by the upper edge of the pipe and/or the holes and expelled in a path orthogonal to the suction axis through the at least one nozzle.

A drink producing apparatus has a dispensing container, which is formed for receiving a liquid addable to a cooled drink by the drink producing apparatus and which is connected to a dispensing unit of the drink producing apparatus for conducting the liquid from the dispensing container to the dispensing unit, and with a cooling device for cooling the dispensing container, wherein a mixing device for temperature equalizing intermixing of the cooled liquid is disposed in the dispensing container, which has a conveying unit, which has a suction line with a suction opening, which is disposed spaced from a sidewall of the dispensing container and is disposed adjacent to a bottom wall in the dispensing container. The invention also relates to a household refrigeration apparatus and to a method for producing a drink.

A carbonation tower for containers of household appliances, more specifically for appliances for the automatic preparation of instant drinks, which has been developed to provide more optimized operation and use and efficient than those achieved with the known similar. Said carbonation tower including a substantially elongated body included of at least one pipe provided with at least two holes and said pipe secured to a base including at least a nozzle, said cooperating base further including a lid of a lower compartment; said lid further including at least one toroidal contoured rib cooperating with at least one lower nozzle of the container, and wherein the water and the carbon dioxide are sucked by the upper edge of the pipe and/or the holes and expelled in a path orthogonal to the suction axis through the at least one nozzle.

Provided is a connector including a plug to be fixed to an inner peripheral surface of an opening of a liquid storing container, and a socket to be detachably attached to the plug. The plug includes a plug body including, formed therein, a first liquid outflow passage, a first liquid inflow passage, and a first gas passage. The socket includes: a socket body including, formed therein, a second liquid outflow passage, a second liquid inflow passage, and a second gas passage; and a ball lock mechanism that allows lock balls to be engaged with engagement grooves formed along a circumferential direction about an axial line in an outer peripheral surface of the opening of the liquid storing container and fixes the lock balls to the engagement grooves.