APPARATUS FOR CARBONATING A LIQUID IN A BOTTLE

Abstract

Described herein is an apparatus for carbonating a liquid in a bottle, said apparatus comprising a main body and a head, wherein said head is configured to hold a bottle filled with a liquid and wherein said head is movably attached to said main body such that said head with said bottle can be moved between a first position at said main body and a second position away from said main body through a threshold position between said first and said second position or at said second position, characterized in that said apparatus further comprises a switch and a valve operatively connected to said switch, wherein arranging said head with said bottle at said first position or between said first position and said threshold position causes said switch to close said valve or to keep said valve closed and wherein arranging said head with said bottle at said second position or between said second position and said threshold position causes said switch to open said valve or to keep said valve open.

Claims

1. An apparatus for carbonating a liquid in a bottle, said apparatus comprising a main body and a head, wherein said head is configured to hold a bottle filled with a liquid and wherein said head is movably attached to said main body such that said head with said bottle can be moved between a first position at said main body and a second position away from said main body through a threshold position between said first and said second position or at said second position, characterized in that said apparatus further comprises a switch and a valve operatively connected to said switch, wherein arranging said head with said bottle at said first position or between said first position and said threshold position causes said switch to close said valve or to keep said valve closed and wherein arranging said head with said bottle at said second position or between said second position and said threshold position causes said switch to open said valve or to keep said valve open.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said liquid in said bottle can be carbonated if the valve is closed and wherein gas can be released from said bottle through the valve, if said valve is open.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said head is pivotably attached to said main body, such that said head with said bottle can be pivoted between said first and said second position.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said switch is a lever switch arranged between said main body and said head, wherein arranging said head with said bottle between said first position and said threshold position actuates a lever of said lever switch, causing said lever switch to close said valve or to keep said valve closed, and wherein arranging said head with said bottle between said second position and said threshold position releases said lever, causing said lever switch to open said valve or to keep said valve open.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the valve is a normally open valve.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said valve is a normally open solenoid valve, wherein actuating said lever enables said normally open solenoid valve to energize, whereby said normally open solenoid valve is closed or kept closed and wherein releasing said lever causes said normally open solenoid valve to deenergize, which causes said normally open solenoid valve to open or to keep said normally open solenoid valve open.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said normally open solenoid valve is configured to be energized by actuating the lever only upon a user input.

8. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said valve is a normally open solenoid valve, wherein actuating said lever causes said normally open solenoid valve to energize, which causes said normally open solenoid valve to close or to keep said normally open solenoid valve closed and wherein releasing said lever causes said normally open solenoid valve to deenergize, which causes said normally open solenoid valve to open or to keep said normally open solenoid valve open.

9. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said first position and said threshold position are separated by a pivot angle ? of 2? to 15?.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said switch is an optical or gyroscopic switch configured to detect a position of said head with said bottle, and wherein if said optical or gyroscopic switch detects a position of said head with said bottle corresponding to a position at said first position or between said first and said threshold position, said switch causes said valve to close or to keep said valve closed and wherein if said optical or gyroscopic switch detects a position of said head with said bottle corresponding to a position between said second and said threshold position or at said second position, said optical or gyroscopic switch causes said valve to open or to keep said valve open.

11. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a water tank configured to be filled with water, wherein said water tank is in fluidic connection with said bottle via a liquid line.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising a pump for pumping water from said water tank into said bottle.

13. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said valve is further configured to open if a gas pressure inside said bottle exceeds a predetermined value.

14. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a pressure relief valve in fluidic connection with said bottle via a pressure relief line, wherein said pressure relief valve is configured to open if a gas pressure inside said bottle exceeds a predetermined value, wherein gas is released from said bottle.

15. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising said bottle.

16. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein an opening portion of said bottle forms a male counterpart complementary to a female receptor portion of said head, such that said bottle and said head are configured and arranged to be connected to each other via a bayonet mount formed by said female receptor portion of said head and said opening portion of said bottle.

17. The apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a pressurizing line for carbonating said liquid in said bottle, a normally closed valve arranged along said pressurizing line, a trigger mechanism operatively connected to said normally closed valve, as well as a gas source fluidly connected to said pressurizing line, wherein actuating said trigger mechanism causes said normally closed valve to open, creating a fluid connection between said gas source and said bottle, wherein a predetermined amount of gas is injected from said gas source to said bottle.

18. The apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a mechanism configured to open said valve upon carbonation of said liquid in said bottle after a predetermined lull time, such that gas can be released from said bottle through said valve.

19. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said mechanism is configured to release said gas in a sequence of subsequent opening and closing events of said valve.

20. The apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a control unit with a safety shutdown function configured such that upon a failure event, said safety shutdown function stops fluid transfer into the bottle and causes said valve to open and said normally closed.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] Exemplary embodiments are described below in conjunction with the Figures. The Figures are appended to the claims and are accompanied by text explaining individual features of the shown embodiments and aspects of the present invention. Each individual feature shown in the Figures and/or mentioned in the text of the Figures may be incorporated (also in an isolated fashion) into a claim relating to the apparatus according to the present invention.

[0039] FIG. 1 shows an example embodiment of the apparatus, wherein the head is arranged in the first position;

[0040] FIG. 2 shows the example embodiment of FIG. 1, wherein the head with a bottle mounted on the head are arranged in the second position;

[0041] FIG. 3 shows the switch arranged in a connecting portion between the head and the main body, wherein the head is arranged in the first position as in FIG. 1, causing the switch to close the valve;

[0042] FIG. 4 shows the switch in the connecting portion, wherein the head is arranged in the second position as in FIG. 2, causing the switch to open the valve; and

[0043] FIG. 5 shows a second example embodiment of the apparatus with a water tank for filling the bottle with water and a gas source for carbonating the water in the bottle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] FIG. 1 shows a first example embodiment of the apparatus 1 for carbonating liquid in a bottle 2. The apparatus 1 comprises a main body 3 as well as a head 4 connected to the main body 3 via a connection portion 20. The main body 3 may comprise further components of the apparatus 1 such as for example a water tank 7, a pump 9 for pumping water from the water tank 7 into a bottle 2 mounted on the head 4 and a gas source 18, as further depicted in FIG. 5.

[0045] The head 4 comprises a female receptor portion 24 such that a bottle 2 can be mounted on the head 4 via the receptor portion 24 in a bayonet mount. The bottle 2 mounted on the head 4 is shown in FIG. 2. As can be seen here in FIG. 1, the head 4 further comprises a port 15 for conducting gas into the bottle 2 such that the liquid in the bottle 2 can be carbonated.

[0046] The head 4 is pivotably attached to the main body 3, wherein the head 4 is shown in a first position 11 at the main body 3 in FIG. 1, in which the head 4 is arranged along a vertical first axis A. In this first position 11, a switch 5 causes a valve 6 for releasing gas from the bottle 2 to close the valve 6 or to keep the valve 6 closed, such that liquid in the bottle 2 can be carbonated. In this example embodiment, the switch 5 is arranged in the connecting portion 20. As can further be seen in FIG. 1, the head 4 also comprises a handle 25 for manually tilting the bottle 2 held by the head 4 without exerting a force on the bottle 2 into the position depicted in FIG. 2.

[0047] In FIG. 2, the head 4, particularly the bottle 2 mounted on the head 4, is no longer oriented in the first position 11 at the main body 3 along the first axis A but is pivoted into a second position 12 away from the main body 3, such that a user can remove the bottle 2 from the apparatus 1 after carbonating the liquid. In this second position 12, the head 4 or the bottle 2 mounted on the head 4 is oriented along a second axis B, wherein the second axis B forms an angle ? with said vertical first axis A. For example, the angle ? is between 15? and 45?. A third axis C is indicated in FIG. 2 and marks a threshold position 13 of the head 4 or the bottle 2 mounted on the head 4. The third axis C forms an angle ? of preferably 2? to 15?, particularly at an angle ? of 2.1?, with the first axis A. According to the invention, arranging the head 4 or the bottle 2 mounted on the head 4 at the second position 12 or between the second position 12 and the threshold position 13 causes the switch 5 to open the valve 6 or the keep the valve 6 open, such that gas can be released from the bottle 2 through the valve 6. As such, the pivoting of the bottle 2 mounted to the head 4 away from the main body 3 effects an opening of the valve 6 via the switch 5, such that a pressure excess inside the bottle 2 relative to the pressure outside the bottle 2 caused by the carbonation of the liquid in the bottle 2 is released through the valve 6, which advantageously reduces the risk of an ejection of the bottle 2 towards a user operating the apparatus 1.

[0048] FIG. 3 highlights the switch 5 arranged in the connecting portion 20 between the main body 3 and the head 4 of the apparatus. In this example, the switch 5 is a lever switch with a flexible lever 21. The lever switch is prestressed, such that its lever 21 pushes against the head 4. The switch 5 is operatively connected to the valve 6 for releasing gas from the bottle 2, wherein the arrangement of the head 4 or the bottle 2 mounted on the head 4 relative to the main body 4 causes the switch 5 to open or close the valve 6.

[0049] In FIG. 3, the head 4 is arranged in the first position 11, keeping the lever 21 in an essentially vertical orientation corresponding to a first setting of the switch 5. In its first setting, the switch 5 closes the valve 6 or keeps it closed, such that gas can be injected into the bottle 2 to carbonate the liquid in the bottle 2. For example, the valve 6 is a normally open solenoid valve, wherein actuating the lever 21 as shown in FIG. 3 causes the switch 5 to keep the solenoid energized and thus the valve 6 closed.

[0050] As can be further seen in FIG. 3, a hinge 22 is arranged in the connection portion 20, wherein the hinge 22 forms a pivot axis for pivoting the head 4 or the bottle 2 mounted on the head 4 relative to the main body 3.

[0051] In FIG. 4, the switch 5 arranged in the connection portion 20 is shown with the head 4 or the bottle 2 mounted on the head 4 pivoted into the second position 12. The flexible lever 21 pushing against the head 4 is now pivoted away from the vertical orientation shown in FIG. 1. Particularly in this pivoted orientation of the lever 21, the switch 5 is now in a second setting, wherein the switch 5 opens the valve 6 or keeps it open, such that gas can be released from the bottle 2. In the example of the normally open solenoid valve, releasing the lever 21 as shown in FIG. 4 causes the switch 5 to deenergize the solenoid and thus to open the valve 6 or to keep it opened.

[0052] As such, pivoting the bottle 2 between the first and the second position 11,12 actuates the lever 21 of the switch 5, such that depending on the arrangement of the head 4 with respect to the main body 3, the valve 6 is opened or closed by the switch 5. In particular, the switch 5 switches from the first setting to the second setting or vice versa once the head 4 or the bottle 2 mounted on the head 4 is pivoted through the threshold position 13.

[0053] In an alternative embodiment, the valve 6 is a normally open solenoid valve which may only be energized and thus closed upon a user input, such as a user pressing a button, if a bottle 2 is mounted on the head 4, such that liquid in the bottle 2 can be carbonated. In turn, between two carbonation processes and without a user input, the normally open solenoid valve may remain open for all positions between the first and the second position 11,12, if no bottle 2 is mounted on the head 4.

[0054] FIG. 5 shows a second example embodiment of the apparatus 1 for carbonating liquid in a bottle 2.

[0055] According to this embodiment, the apparatus comprises a water tank 7 in fluidic connection with the inside of the bottle 2 via a liquid line 8. The apparatus 1 further comprises a pump 9 for pumping water from the water tank 7 into the bottle 2, which is in this example embodiment arranged between the water tank 7 and the bottle 2.

[0056] The apparatus shown in FIG. 5 further comprises a gas source 18 comprising pressurized carbon dioxide. The gas source 18 is or can be connected to a pressurizing line 16 forming a fluidic connection between the gas source 18 and the inside of the bottle 2, such that the water inside the bottle 2 can be carbonated via the pressurizing line 16. A normally closed valve 17 is arranged on the pressurizing line 16 between the bottle 2 and the gas source 18, thus preventing unwanted gas flow out of the gas source 18. The normally closed valve 17 can be opened by a trigger mechanism, wherein a predetermined amount of gas is injected from the gas source 18 into the bottle 2. Between the normally closed valve 17 and the gas source 18, a pressure reducer 19 is arranged on the pressurizing line 16 to reduce the pressure on the side of the gas source 18 down to a predetermined pressure on the side of the normally closed valve 17.

[0057] The water from the water tank 7 and the gas from the gas source 18 are conducted into the bottle 2 respectively via the liquid line 8 and the pressurizing line 16 through the head 4, which is indicated in FIG. 5. The head 4 further comprises a pressure relief line 14 for releasing gas from the bottle 2. In this embodiment, the pressure relief line 14 splits into three paths, such that three different mechanisms are provided for releasing gas from the bottle 2 to reduce the risk of a dangerous ejection of the bottle 2 mounted on the head 4 caused by overpressure inside the bottle 2.

[0058] A first path comprises the valve 6 operatively connected to the switch 5, which causes an opening of the valve 6 once the head 4 is pivoted into a position at the second position 12 or between the second position 12 and the threshold position 13, as indicated in FIGS. 1 to 4.

[0059] A second path comprises a pressure relief valve 10 realized by a spring 27 exerting a spring force directed on a blocking element 26, pushing the blocking element 26 towards an opening of the relief line 14 so as to close the second path. Once the pressure in the bottle 2 and thus the pressure relief line 14, particularly the second path, reaches a predetermined value, the blocking element 27 is pushed upwards such that gas may be released through the second path.

[0060] A third path comprises a burst disc 23 configured to burst, break or rupture at the predetermined value of overpressure so as to open the third path to the atmosphere. As such, the third path provides another security mechanism to release gas from the bottle 2 in case the valve 6 and/or the pressure relief valve 10 are not operational, for example in case of contaminations inside the first and the second path caused by sugar, which may lead to an unwanted fixation of the valves 6,10 such that they can no longer be opened.

[0061] For example, for the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, water may be carbonated by the apparatus as follows: upon a user input such as a start button being pressed, and the bottle 2 being connected to the head 4 of the apparatus in a vertical orientation, the pump 9 is instructed to fill the bottle 2 with a predetermined amount of water stored in the tank 7. During this step, said valve 6 is preferably closed. After the filling, a predetermined amount of gas is injected into the bottle 2 via the pressurizing line 16, wherein the gas is partially dissolved, and the pressure in the bottle 2 increases and the water is being carbonated. The pressure release valve 10 ensures the pressure within the bottle does not increase beyond said predetermined value by opening beyond said predetermined value. Once the injection of gas has ended, the apparatus is left in a waiting step with the valve 6 remaining closed for a predetermined amount of time, called lull time. Once the lull time has elapsed, said valve 6 is automatically opened in a sequence of subsequent opening and closing events such as to equalize the pressure within the bottle 2 with the pressure outside the bottle 2. After that step, the user is notified that the process has ended and the user can now pivot the head 4 of the apparatus and remove the bottle.