LIQUID DISPENSER APPARATUS

Abstract

An apparatus for dispensing liquid comprising: a base structure having a liquid inlet configured to receive a liquid from a liquid source, a gas inlet configured to receive gas from a gas source, a dispensing outlet connected to a liquid dispensing unit, a storage connecting portion connected to a liquid storage, and a passage arrangement configured to put at least two of the liquid inlet, the gas inlet, the dispensing outlet and the storage connecting portion into fluid communication with each other. The apparatus further comprises a valve arrangement seated in the base structure and configured to control fluid passage of the liquid inlet, the gas inlet, the dispensing outlet, and/or the storage connecting portion. The apparatus further comprises a control unit having at least one signal input configured to be connected to a user interface, and at least one signal output configured to control the valve arrangement.

Claims

1. A liquid dispenser apparatus, comprising a base structure having: a liquid inlet connected to a liquid source and configured to receive a liquid from the liquid source; a gas inlet connected to a gas source and configured to receive gas from the gas source; a dispensing outlet connected to a liquid dispensing unit; a storage connecting portion connected to a liquid storage; and a passage arrangement is configured to put at least two of the liquid inlet, the gas inlet the dispensing outlet or the storage connecting portion into fluid communication with each other, wherein the liquid dispenser apparatus further comprises: a valve arrangement is seated in the base structure and configured to control a fluid passage of at least one of the liquid inlet, the gas inlet, the dispensing outlet, or the storage connecting portion, and a control unit having at least one signal input be connected to a user interface, and at least one signal output connected to the valve arrangement and configured to control the valve arrangement by the at least one signal output, and wherein the base structure of the liquid dispenser apparatus is formed by a molded structure or by a machined structure.

2. The liquid dispenser apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the base structure of the liquid dispenser apparatus is formed by an injection molded structure or by a 3D-printed structure.

3. The liquid dispenser apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the base structure of the liquid dispenser apparatus is a unitary molded structure.

4. The liquid dispenser apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a first liquid storage is connected to the storage connecting portion and configured to store a first liquid; and a second liquid storage is connected to the storage connecting portion and configured to store a second liquid.

5. The liquid dispenser apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the storage connecting portion configured to be inserted at least in one of: an opening of the first liquid storage or an opening of the second liquid storage.

6. (canceled)

7. The liquid dispenser apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the storage connecting portion further comprises: a liquid injecting pipe; a gas injecting nozzle; and at least one of a heating device or a cooling device.

8. The liquid dispenser apparatus according to claim 4 further comprising a third liquid storage is connected to the base structure and configured to store a third liquid, wherein the third liquid storage is further connected to a pump which is configured to supply the third liquid out of the third liquid storage into the passage arrangement or to the liquid dispensing unit.

9. The liquid dispenser apparatus according claim 8, further comprising a mixing device is connected to the passage arrangement and to the third liquid storage wherein the mixing device is configured to mix the third liquid stored in the third liquid storage with at least one of the first liquid from the first liquid storage the second liquid from the second liquid storage the liquid from the liquid source, or the gas from the gas source.

10. The liquid dispenser apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the valve arrangement comprises a solenoid value, a check valve, or a pressure relief valve.

11. The liquid dispenser apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a detecting device having a signal output which is connected to the at least one signal input of the control unit, wherein the detecting device is configured to detect a liquid or gas condition a in at least one of the passage arrangement or a storage connected to the base structure.

12. The liquid dispenser apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the detecting device is configured to be inserted at least in part into the first liquid storage through the opening of the first liquid storage.

13. The liquid dispenser apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the gas is supplied to the gas inlet from the gas source is CO.sub.2 gas.

14. The liquid dispenser apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a filter arrangement is connected to the liquid inlet and configured to filter the liquid delivered by the liquid source.

15. The liquid dispenser apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is arranged in the base structure of the liquid dispenser apparatus.

16. The liquid dispenser apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the base structure of the liquid dispenser apparatus is formed by multiple parts.

17. The liquid dispenser apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a capsule loading device which is configured to be loaded with capsules containing an additive, wherein the capsule loading device is further connected to a pump configured to supply the first liquid originating from the first liquid storage or the second liquid originating from the second liquid storage through the capsule loading device into the passage arrangement or to the liquid dispensing unit.

18. The liquid dispenser apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a detecting device having a signal output which is connected to the at least one signal input of the control unit, wherein the detecting device is configured to detect whether a third liquid storage is connected to the base structure or not.

19. The liquid dispenser apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the detecting device is configured to be inserted at least in part into the second liquid storage through the opening of the second liquid storage.

20. The liquid dispenser apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the gas condition or the liquid condition includes one or more of a pressure, a temperature, a flow level, a liquid level, and a gas level.

21. The liquid dispenser apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a first liquid storage connected to the storage connecting portion and configured to store a first liquid.

Description

[0036] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in more detail with respect to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0037] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a liquid dispenser apparatus according to the present invention;

[0038] FIG. 2a is a more specific embodiment of the liquid dispenser apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

[0039] FIG. 2b is an enlarged view of the upper right part of FIG. 2a; and

[0040] FIG. 3a shows a partial view of the liquid dispenser apparatus shown in FIG. 2a, and

[0041] FIGS. 3b to 3d show partial cross-sectional views derived from FIG. 3a of the liquid dispenser apparatus shown in FIG. 2a.

[0042] In FIG. 1a liquid dispenser apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention is generally denoted by the reference sign 100.

[0043] The liquid dispenser apparatus 100 comprises a liquid inlet 102 which is designed and intended to be connected to a liquid source 103 and to receive a liquid, for example water, from the liquid source 103. The liquid source may be a mains water supply or the like. As also shown in FIG. 1, the liquid dispenser apparatus 100 further comprises a gas inlet 104 which is designed and intended to be connected to a gas source 106, which, in the present embodiment, is a container for carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) gas. To be able to dispense liquid out of the liquid dispenser apparatus 100, the liquid dispenser apparatus 100 further includes a dispensing outlet 108 which, in the present embodiment, is connected to a liquid dispensing unit in the form of a faucet 110.

[0044] To enable the liquid dispenser apparatus to be connected to a liquid storage, the liquid dispenser apparatus according to the present embodiment further includes a storage connecting portion which is generally designated by reference sign 112. In the present embodiment, the storage connecting portion 112 is connected to a first liquid storage 114 which, in the present embodiment, is designed to contain chilled tap water, and to a second liquid storage 116 which is, in the present embodiment, configured to contain sparkling water. In the present embodiment, the liquid dispenser apparatus 100 further comprises a third liquid storage 118 configured to contain an additive for beverages, such as syrup and/or concentrated flavors and/or health liquids containing ingredients, such as vitamins and/or minerals.

[0045] To put the liquid inlet 102, the gas inlet 104, the dispensing outlet 108, and the storage connecting portion 112 into fluid communication with each other, the liquid dispenser apparatus further comprises a passage arrangement, which is generally designated by reference sign 120. Passages of the passage arrangement 120 are described in more detail below. To control the fluid passage of the liquid inlet 102, the gas inlet 104, the dispensing outlet 108, and the storage connecting portion 112, the liquid dispenser apparatus 100 further includes a valve arrangement, which in FIG. 1 is generally designated by reference sign 130.

[0046] To control the operation of the valve arrangement 130, the liquid dispenser apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment further comprises a control unit 140 which is merely indicated schematically in FIG. 1. The control unit 140 has at least one signal input 140a which is configured to be connected to a user interface 180 that is arranged near or on the faucet 110. Based on the signal input signal received from the user interface 180, the control unit 140 is configured to control a plurality of valves in form of solenoid valves of the valve arrangement 130, namely solenoid valves 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, and 138. To control each of said solenoid valves of the valve arrangement 130, the control unit 140 comprises a corresponding number of signal outputs, wherein each signal output is connected to a corresponding solenoid valve, as indicated by dotted lines in FIG. 1.

[0047] By operating the solenoid valves of the valve arrangement 130, it is possible to control a fluid passage within passages of the passage arrangement 120. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the passage arrangement 120 comprises a liquid inlet passage 121 which is configured to supply tap water from the liquid inlet 102 originating from the liquid source. In the present embodiment, a filter 150 is arranged between the liquid source 103 and the liquid inlet 102. Via the liquid inlet passage 121, it is possible to introduce tap water into passage 121 and then via passage 122 and a pipe 152 into the first liquid storage 114.

[0048] To detect the current temperature of water contained in the first liquid storage 114, the liquid dispenser apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment further comprises a detecting device in form of a temperature sensor 160 which is connected to the storage connecting portion 112 and configured to be inserted into a first liquid storage 114 through an opening of the first liquid storage 114. Therefore, the temperature sensor 160 comprises at least one signal output that is connected to a signal input of the control unit 140 as indicated by the dotted line in FIG. 1. To condition the water contained in the first liquid storage 114 to a desired temperature, the liquid dispenser apparatus 100 further comprises a conditioning device 162, which may be a heating device or a cooling device or a combination thereof.

[0049] To be also able to fill the second liquid storage 116 with water, the passage arrangement 120 further comprises a passage 123 connected to a pipe 154 so that water may be delivered via pipe 154, passage 123 and a further passage 124 as well as a pipe 156 into the second liquid storage 116. The flow of liquid from the first liquid storage 114 to the second liquid storage 116 via pipe 154 and passages 123 and 124 as well as pipe 156 may be controlled via opening solenoid valve 138 of the valve arrangement 130. To ensure that liquid is able to flow from the first liquid storage 114 into the second liquid storage 116 but not from the second liquid storage 116 to the first liquid storage 114, the valve arrangement 130 further comprises a one-direction valve (check valve) 139a.

[0050] Similar to the first liquid storage 114, the second liquid storage 116 further comprises another conditioning device 163 which likewise may be a cooling device or a heating device or a combination thereof.

[0051] To add gas from the gas container 106, the passage arrangement 120 further comprises a passage 126 which is connected on the one end to the gas inlet 104 and on the other end to a nozzle 157 that is configured to be inserted into the second liquid storage 116 and to introduce gas in form of CO.sub.2 from the gas container 106. To allow or interrupt the introduction of CO.sub.2 into the second liquid container 116, the valve arrangement 130 comprises the solenoid valve 132 that is connected between the passage 126 and the gas inlet 104.

[0052] To monitor a liquid level in the second liquid storage 116, the second liquid storage 116 comprises a first water level sensor 164 as well as a second water level sensor 166 to detect an upper liquid level and a lower liquid level, respectively, in the second liquid storage 116. Therefore, the signal outputs of the first water level sensor 164 and the second water level sensor 166 are connected to corresponding signal inputs of the control unit 140, as indicated by dotted lines in FIG. 1. The signal input of the first water level sensor 164 and the second water level sensor 166 may be used by the control unit 140 to, in particular automatically, determine and execute whether or not to deliver water from the first liquid storage 114 into the second liquid storage 116 via operating valve 138 and to deliver CO.sub.2 gas via passage 126 by operating solenoid valve 132. Furthermore, sparkling water may be also prepared, in particular automatically, when the control unit 140 receives a signal input via the user interface 180 and the signal input 140a of the control unit 140.

[0053] To ensure that a pressure present in the second liquid storage 116, which is filled with sparkling water, does not exceed a predetermined threshold pressure, the second liquid storage 116 is further connected to a pressure relief valve 139b that is configured to transition into an open state if the pressure present in the second liquid storage 116 exceeds the predetermined threshold pressure. Therefore, the pressure relief valve 139b is connected to the second liquid storage 116 via passage 127 and pipe 158 that is inserted into the second liquid storage 116. A signal output of the pressure relief valve 139b is also connected to a signal input of the control unit 140, as indicated by a corresponding dotted line.

[0054] To further control the pressure that is present in the second liquid storage 116, the liquid dispenser apparatus 100 further comprises a pressure gauge 139c.

[0055] To be able to release pressure from the second liquid storage 116 not only when the pressure exceeds the predetermined threshold pressure but also to release gas, such as air, when the second liquid storage 116 is filled with liquid or whenever it is desired, the valve arrangement 130 further comprises the solenoid valve 134 having a signal input that is connected to a signal output of the control unit 140, as indicated by corresponding dotted line in FIG. 1. Thus, it is possible to release gas from the second liquid storage 116 by opening the solenoid valve 134 via passage 127 and an air outlet pipe 159.

[0056] As already mentioned above, the liquid dispenser apparatus 100 further comprises a third liquid storage 118 containing an additive. To be able to deliver the additive into the liquid dispenser apparatus 100, the liquid dispenser apparatus 100 may further comprise a pump 170. As indicated by a dotted line, also the pump may comprise a signal input that is connected to a signal output of the control unit 140.

[0057] Thus, with the above-described arrangement, it is possible to deliver non-sparkling hot or cold water or water at ambient temperature from the first liquid storage 114 via pipe 154 and passage 123 by opening solenoid valve 135 such that the water flows through passage 128 and dispensing outlet 108 towards the faucet 110.

[0058] In addition, it is possible to deliver sparkling water via pipe 156 and passages 124, 128 via opening valve 136, with the other valves of the valve arrangement 130 being closed. Irrespective of whether the liquid dispenser apparatus 100 provides water from the first liquid storage 114 or water from the second liquid storage 116, it is also possible to additionally or alternatively provide an additive from the third liquid storage 118 via operating the pump 170 that is configured to deliver the additive through passage 129 into passage 128 and, thus, via the dispensing outlet 108 towards the faucet 110.

[0059] To mix water originating from the first liquid storage 114 and/or water originating from the second liquid storage 116 at the connection point between passage 128 and passage 129, a mixing device may be provided, that is indicated by reference sign 172 and is configured to mix the additive from the third liquid storage 118 with liquid originating from the first liquid storage 114 and/or the second liquid storage 116.

[0060] FIGS. 2a and 2b show cross-sectional views of a more specific embodiment of a liquid dispenser apparatus 200 that with regard to its general functionality corresponds to the schematic embodiment of the liquid dispenser apparatus 100 in FIG. 1.

[0061] In FIGS. 2a and 2b the liquid dispenser apparatus 200 comprises a base structure 205 that is, in this embodiment, formed by an injection-molded structure. The liquid dispenser apparatus 200 also includes a passage arrangement 220 including a plurality of passages that are formed in the base structure 205.

[0062] The liquid dispenser apparatus 200 further comprises a storage connecting portion 212 for connecting to a first liquid storage 214 and a second liquid storage 216.

[0063] The first liquid storage 214 and the second liquid storage 216 are interleaved with each other, wherein the first liquid storage 214 houses the second liquid storage 216.

[0064] In the present embodiment, the storage connecting portion 212 comprises a first storage connecting sub portion 212a that is formed in the base structure 205 and connected to the first liquid storage 214. Between the storage connecting sub portion 212a and the first liquid storage 214 a metal part in form of a metal flange 215 is inserted. To connect the metal flange 215 with the first liquid storage 214, the first liquid storage 214 further comprises a corresponding flange 217 that is screwed together with the metal flange 215. The storage connecting portion 212 further comprises a second storage connecting sub portion 212b that is likewise formed in the base structure 205 and connected to the second liquid storage 216. Different to the first storage connecting sub portion 212a, the second storage connecting sub portion 212b is formed in a flange shape so that it is suitable to be directly connected to a corresponding storage connecting portion receiving part 219 formed in the second liquid storage 216.

[0065] Pipes 252 and 256 are inserted into the first liquid storage 214 and the second liquid storage 216, respectively, and connected to the storage connecting portion 212 of the liquid dispenser apparatus 200 to introduce liquid into the first liquid storage 214 and the second liquid storage 216, respectively, and/or to remove it therefrom. Liquid may be delivered to a liquid outlet 208 via the passage arrangement 220 and controlled by valves of a valve arrangement 230 that operates similar to the valve arrangement 130 described with reference to FIG. 1.

[0066] A gas injecting nozzle 257 is inserted into the second liquid storage 216 to introduce gas in form of CO.sub.2 into the second liquid storage 216. Therefore, the gas injecting nozzle 257 is connected to a gas source 206 via a gas inlet 204.

[0067] To adapt the temperature of liquid, in particular of water, contained in the first liquid storage 214, and optionally in the second liquid storage 216, a conditioning device 262 that is configured to heat and/or cool liquid is inserted into the first liquid storage 214.

[0068] It should be added, that the valves of the valve arrangement 230, such as a one direction valve (check valve) 239a, and the conditioning device 262 are all connected to a control unit (not shown in FIGS. 2a and 2b) that operates similar to the control unit 140 shown in FIG. 1.

[0069] FIG. 3a shows a partial view of the liquid dispenser apparatus 200 shown in FIG. 2a. As shown in FIG. 3a, the liquid dispenser apparatus 200 comprises first and second liquid water level sensors 264 and 266, operating similar to the first water level sensor 164 and the second water level sensor 166.

[0070] FIGS. 3b to 3d show partial cross-sectional views derived from FIG. 3a of the liquid dispenser apparatus 200 shown in FIG. 2a.

[0071] FIG. 3b shows a pressure relieve valve 239b which is arranged in the base structure 205 and operates similar to the pressure relieve valve 139b described with reference to FIG. 1.

[0072] FIG. 3c, in turn, shows an outlet pipe 209 of the liquid outlet 208 which is connected to the passage arrangement 220 and intended to be connected to a faucet (not shown).

[0073] FIG. 3d is a further sectional view showing the one direction valve (check valve) 239a. FIG. 3d further shows the passage 256 for introducing liquid into the second liquid storage 216 and/or to remove it therefrom, the passage 252 for introducing liquid into the first liquid storage 214 and/or to remove it therefrom, and the gas injecting nozzle 257.