Water dispenser and method for operating same

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a water dispenser comprising a preferably cooled carbonator for dispensing carbonated water. The water dispenser comprises a thermoblock, in particular a boiler, for dispensing warm water. The carbonator is connectible to a pressurized CO2 gas container. The water dispenser comprises at least one dosing valve, in particular a switching valve, through which carbon dioxide can be fed into the thermoblock.

Claims

1.-10. (canceled)

11. A water dispenser, comprising: a heater for dispensing warm water; and a dosing valve through which carbon dioxide can be introduced into the heater.

12. The water dispenser according to claim 11, wherein the heater is a boiler and wherein the dosing valve is a switching valve.

13. The water dispenser according to claim 11, further comprising a cooled carbonator for dispensing carbonated water, which can be connected to a pressurized carbon dioxide container.

14. The water dispenser according to claim 11, wherein a partial flow of carbonated water can be fed into the heater, wherein the partial flow can be mixed with a main flow to the heater, and wherein the partial flow amounts to between 5% and 50% of a total flow to the heater.

15. The water dispenser according to claim 12, further comprising a controller which controls the introduction of carbon dioxide via the switching valve on a time basis and/or on a volume basis.

16. The water dispenser according to claim 15, wherein the introduction of carbon dioxide is adjustable based on a degree of hardness of input water; and/or wherein the water dispenser comprises two switching valves connected in series, which can be controlled alternately; and/or wherein water can be fed from the carbonator into the heater; and/or wherein the heater is connectible to a pressurized carbon dioxide gas container.

17. An assembly, comprising: the water dispenser as claimed in claim 11; and a cartridge for water treatment, through which water is supplied to the water dispenser, wherein the cartridge is configured for releasing magnesium, silicon, lithium, and/or zinc into the water.

18. The assembly according to claim 17, wherein the cartridge contains an ion exchange material loaded with magnesium and/or zinc; wherein the ion exchange material is loaded with magnesium or zinc to a degree of at least 50% of its total capacity; and/or wherein the ion exchange material is loaded with hydrogen and/or sodium to a degree of less than 20% of its total capacity.

19. A method for operating a water dispenser that comprises a heater for heating water, the method comprising: supplying carbon dioxide to the heater.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the supplying of carbon dioxide is effected so as to adjust the pH in the heater to between 6.5 and 7.0.

21. The method according to claim 19, wherein the water in the heater is heated to at least 80 C.; and/or wherein the supplying of carbon dioxide is effected via two solenoid valves, which are clocked alternately.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0083] The subject-matter of the invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.

[0084] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a beverage dispensing system, which comprises a water dispenser.

[0085] FIG. 2 shows an alternative embodiment.

[0086] FIG. 3 shows a further alternative embodiment.

[0087] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment in which the water dispenser comprises a faucet and a water heater.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0088] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a system for dispensing hot beverages and cold carbonated beverages.

[0089] This system comprises a water dispenser 1. Water is supplied to the water dispenser 1 via an on-site water pipe 2.

[0090] In this embodiment, the water is directed through a water filter which comprises an on-site filter cartridge head 3 that is installed inline in the water pipe 2, and a filter cartridge 4, also known as filter candle, inserted into the filter cartridge head 3.

[0091] Inside the filter candle 4, the water may also contain an ion exchanger, for example, which in particular releases magnesium ions into the water to be treated.

[0092] The water dispenser 1 comprises a pump 5 which is operable to pump the desired water to an outlet 10.

[0093] The water dispenser 1 illustrated here is configured to dispense chilled water, chilled carbonated water, and hot water for preparing hot beverages.

[0094] For this purpose, the pipe 2 branches into flow paths 6a to 6c downstream of the pump 5 in this exemplary embodiment.

[0095] Flow path 6a is adapted for dispensing hot water. The water is directed through the boiler 7 and from there to the outlet 10.

[0096] Delivery of the different types of water is controlled by switching valves 9a to 9c.

[0097] That means, in order to deliver hot water, for example, switching valve 9a is opened and the water heated by the boiler 7 will flow to the outlet 10.

[0098] Flow path 6b passes through a carbonator 8.

[0099] This is a cooled pressure vessel which is connected to a pressurized CO.sub.2 container via line 12.

[0100] The water contained in the carbonator 8 is thus pressurized and enriched with a varying amount of carbonic acid (and corresponding dissolved CO.sub.2), depending on the pressure.

[0101] Since the pressure in the carbonator 8 can be higher than the applied line pressure, a pump 5 has to be provided at least for the flow path 6b of the carbonator.

[0102] When switching valve 9b is opened, chilled carbonated water will be dispensed.

[0103] Flow path 6c for water that is only cooled but not enriched with carbonic acid is routed along the cooling coils of the carbonator 8. When switching valve 9c is opened, chilled water will be dispensed.

[0104] In order to reduce the formation of scale in the boiler 7, carbonic acid is also fed into the water contained in the boiler 7.

[0105] The feeding of carbonic acid is effected using the same pressurized gas container 11 which feeds CO.sub.2 to the carbonator 8.

[0106] In this exemplary embodiment, the carbonic acid can be directly supplied to the boiler 7 via line 13.

[0107] In order to introduce only a small amount of carbon dioxide, the two switching valves 15a and 15b are connected in series in line 13.

[0108] They are alternately controlled by a controller 14.

[0109] The line section 13a between switching valves 15a and 15b serves as a pressure accumulator here.

[0110] In order to introduce carbon dioxide, first switching valve 15a opens and the line section 13a fills with carbon dioxide.

[0111] Then, the first switching valve 15a is closed and switching valve 15b which is downstream thereof is opened by the controller 14.

[0112] Now, an amount of carbon dioxide will flow out of line section 13a towards the boiler 7 until pressure equalization is achieved.

[0113] This allows to dose even small amounts of carbon dioxide very easily.

[0114] The dosing is preferably based on the opening times of switching valve 9a and/or in a time-controlled manner.

[0115] FIG. 2 shows an alternative embodiment of the beverage dispensing system.

[0116] As shown here, the carbon dioxide from the pressurized CO.sub.2 gas container 11 does not necessarily have to be fed directly to the boiler 7.

[0117] In this exemplary embodiment, the line 13 for feeding carbon dioxide is routed directly to the pipe 2 upstream of pump 5.

[0118] Similarly to what is illustrated in FIG. 1, the amount of introduced carbon dioxide is controlled by two switching valves.

[0119] In this exemplary embodiment of the beverage dispensing system, the water will already be enriched with a small amount of carbon dioxide when it is fed into the carbonator 8.

[0120] The dosing is preferably accomplished inside the water dispenser 1.

[0121] For example, dosing may also be effected into line path 6a (not shown).

[0122] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a further embodiment of the beverage dispensing system.

[0123] According to this embodiment, water from the carbonator 8, which is connected to the pressurized CO.sub.2 gas container 11, is fed into the boiler 7 via line 16.

[0124] Hence, the carbon dioxide is not introduced directly, but is dissolved in the water and introduced in the form of carbonic acid.

[0125] Due to the larger volume compared to the dosing in gaseous form, a single switching valve 17 can simply be used in this embodiment for effecting the dosing.

[0126] A drawback hereof is that water which has been cooled in the carbonator 8 has to be reheated.

[0127] According to another embodiment (not shown), it is also possible to provide a separate pressure vessel for introducing carbonated water into the boiler 7.

[0128] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a water dispenser 1 which comprises a faucet 19 and a water heater 18.

[0129] The faucet may come in the form of a mixer tap, for example, as used in the home.

[0130] The water directed through the filter candle 4 which includes an ion exchange material branches into two line sections 2a, 2b.

[0131] Line section 2b supplies the faucet 19 with cold water.

[0132] Line section 2a supplies the faucet 19 with hot water and is routed via the water heater 18.

[0133] In this exemplary embodiment, the water heater comprises a boiler 7 and can in particular be designed as an under-sink device.

[0134] In order to lower the pH value inside the boiler 7, carbon dioxide is introduced into the boiler 7 via two switching valves 15a, 15b that are arranged in series, similarly to the embodiment of FIG. 1.

[0135] Since this results in a reduction of scale formation, the ion exchange material can be loaded with less hydrogen or sodium. The capacity thereby provided in the filter candle 4 can be used for dosing other ions, e.g. magnesium.

[0136] If, instead of a filter candle 4, a softening system (not shown) is used which is regenerated using a saline solution, this allows to adjust a higher degree of hardness of the treated water without causing increased scale formation.

[0137] In this way, the sodium content of the treated water can be reduced.

[0138] The invention made it possible to improve, in a very simple manner, the formation of scale in the thermoblock of a water dispenser, in particular in the water dispenser of a machine for preparing cold and hot beverages.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0139] 1 Water dispenser [0140] 2 Water pipe [0141] 2a, 2b Pipe section [0142] 3 Filter cartridge head [0143] 4 Filter cartridge [0144] 5 Pump [0145] 6a-6c Flow path [0146] 7 Boiler [0147] 8 Carbonator [0148] 9a-9c Switching valve [0149] 10 Outlet [0150] 11 Pressurized CO.sub.2 gas container [0151] 12 Line [0152] 13 Line [0153] 13a Line section [0154] 14 Controller [0155] 15a, 15b Switching valve [0156] 16 Line [0157] 17 Switching valve [0158] 18 Water heater [0159] 19 Faucet [0160] 20 Line