METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING A BEVERAGE IN A BEVERAGE CONTAINER, AND BEVERAGE ARTICLE

Abstract

A method for producing a beverage in a beverage container, having the following steps: providing a beverage container which is to be filled; introducing a cooling agent to the beverage container through a container opening, wherein the cooling agent has at least one water-ice moulding; filling the beverage container with a beverage liquid through the container opening; closing the container opening with a disposable closure and storing the filled beverage container in a cooled environment. The disclosure also covers an apparatus for producing a beverage in a beverage container, as well as a beverage article containing a beverage.

Claims

1. A method for producing a beverage in a beverage container, comprising the following steps: providing a beverage container, which is to be filled; introducing a cooling agent in the beverage container through a container opening, wherein the cooling agent comprises at least one water ice molding; filling the beverage container with a beverage liquid through the container opening; closing the container opening by means of a disposable closure and cooled storing of the filled beverage container; wherein the beverage container comprises a container section which tapers towards the container opening and which is closed by means of a disposable closure; the cooling agent comprising the at least one water ice molding and the beverage liquid are introduced through the tapering container section after passing the container opening, and the at least one water ice molding in one spatial dimension is larger than a diameter of the container opening.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the cooling agent comprising the at least one water ice molding is introduced during and/or after the filling of the beverage container with the beverage liquid.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the filled beverage container is stored at a cooling temperature, which is higher than the freezing point of the beverage liquid.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the container opening is closed by means of a disposable closure from the following group: crown cork, cork, screw closure, twist-off closure, clip closure, and hot sealing closures.

5. (canceled)

6. (canceled)

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein an alcoholic beverage liquid, which includes a percentage of ethanol, and/or a non-alcoholic beverage liquid, which includes a percentage of glycerin, are filled in.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein prior to introducing the cooling agent and/or prior to filling with the beverage liquid, the beverage container is cooled to a temperature between the freezing point of the beverage liquid and 0 degrees Celsius.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein when introducing the cooling agent comprising the at least one water ice molding, an amount of liquid water, which covers the one vessel bottom of the beverage container, is additionally filled into the beverage container.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein during the cooled storing, the filled beverage container is cooled to a cooling temperature, which is lower than a melting temperature of the beverage liquid.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one water ice molding is supplied to the container opening via a guide device, wherein the guide device is positioned relative to the container opening by means of a positioning device.

12. A device for producing a beverage in a beverage container, wherein the device is set up to: provide a beverage container, which is to be filled, which has a container section, which tapers towards a container opening; introduce a cooling agent in the beverage container through the container opening via an inserting apparatus, wherein the cooling agent comprises at least one water ice molding and wherein the inserting apparatus is formed with a guide device and a positioning device, by means of which an outlet of the guide device is positioned relative to the container opening; fill the beverage container with a beverage liquid through the container opening, and close the container opening by means of a disposable closure; wherein the apparatus is further set up to introduce the cooling agent comprising the at least one water ice molding and the beverage liquid through the tapering container section after passing the container opening, wherein the at least one water ice molding in one spatial dimension is larger than a diameter of the container opening.

13. A beverage article comprising a beverage, comprising a beverage container, which comprises a container section, which tapers towards a container opening; a beverage liquid, with which the beverage container is filled; a cooling agent, which comprises at least one water ice molding and is accommodated in the beverage liquid, and a disposable closure, by means of which the container opening of the beverage container is closed, and through which the cooling agent comprising the at least one water ice molding and the beverage liquid are introduced in the beverage container; wherein the at least one water ice molding in one spatial dimension is larger than a diameter of the container opening.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0052] Further exemplary embodiments will be described in more detail below with reference to figures of a drawing:

[0053] FIG. 1 shows a bottled beverage comprising ice moldings, which firmly adhere to the vessel bottom;

[0054] FIG. 2 shows the method for adhering the ice moldings to the vessel bottom;

[0055] FIG. 3 shows a bottled beverage comprising the freely swimming ice moldings;

[0056] FIG. 4 shows the method for introducing the ice moldings in a freely swimming manner;

[0057] FIG. 5 shows a schematic illustration of an apparatus for introducing water ice moldings in a beverage container comprising an ice making device of the through flow cooler principle in cross section;

[0058] FIG. 6 shows a schematic illustration of a further apparatus for introducing water ice moldings in a beverage container comprising linearly shiftable magazine comprising a plurality of ice molding chambers in cross section;

[0059] FIG. 7 shows a schematic illustration of another apparatus for introducing water ice moldings in a beverage container comprising an inclined chute in cross section, and

[0060] FIG. 8 shows a schematic illustration of yet a further apparatus for introducing water ice moldings in a beverage container comprising funnel in cross section.

[0061] FIG. 1 shows a beverage container or vessel 11, which is embodied here as closable bottle to transport the beverage. The liquid alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverage liquid 12, which is filled into the beverage container 11 up to the fill level 13, is located in the beverage container 11.

[0062] Ice moldings 15, which, as a result of the production using water, can also be identified as water ice moldings, adhere to the vessel or container bottom 14. The ice moldings 15 are embodied as cylindrical ice cubes here, which fit through the bottle neck. The ice moldings 15 do not only adhere to the vessel bottom 14, but also to one another. In other words, a solid ice clump formation is thus created on the vessel bottom 14, which adheres to the latter even if the beverage container 11 is turned upside down, for example.

[0063] FIG. 2 shows a schematic illustration for a method for producing a beverage according to FIG. 1. At first, the vessel to be filled is prepared in step 21. On principle, this takes place at temperatures of T0 C., in particular at room temperature.

[0064] Following this, ice moldings are introduced into the beverage container in step 23. Due to the fact that the ice moldings of water are frozen, they have a freezing point=melting point of 0 C. On their surface, they will melt as a result of the warmer vessel. A water film is created between ice moldings and vessel 11. In response to being filled in, the ice moldings can also already have a water film on their surface.

[0065] The beverage container is subsequently cooled to a temperature T between the freezing point G of the beverage liquid and 0 C. in step 25. The water film created beforehand freezes thereby and the ice moldings freeze to the vessel.

[0066] The threshold values of ranges in this application (here G and 0 degrees Celsius) can in each case be reached as well.

[0067] The beverage container 11 can also be cooled to be colder than the freezing point G. The beverage liquid then also freezes to the vessel wall. Maximally as much liquid can freeze as the bottle can remove energy from the beverage liquid as a result of its specific thermal capacity.

[0068] After a wait time in step 26, the beverage liquid is added into the beverage container in step 27. The temperature of the added beverage liquid lies between its freezing point G and 0 C.

[0069] As a result, this means that the beverage liquid continuously cools the ice moldings, which have a freezing point of 0 C., and keeps them frozen. The colder beverage liquid prevents that the ice moldings start to melt on their surface.

[0070] To attain the continuous cooling, the storage cooling is carried out at a temperature between or equal to the two freezing points in step 28.

[0071] An amount of liquid water, which covers the vessel bottom, is added at a temperature>0 C. in the optional step 24.

[0072] The point in time of the water addition is close to the addition of the ice moldings. The addition of the liquid amount of water can take place at the same time as the addition of the ice moldings, but it can also take place shortly before or shortly after it.

[0073] It is essential that the liquid amount of water is not frozen before the ice moldings are added. This is so, because the liquid amount of water then freezes the ice moldings virtually as binder to the vessel, when the entire unit is then cooled to a temperature of <0 C.

[0074] When the beverage container is first optionally precooled to a temperature T between the freezing point G of the beverage liquid and 0 C. in step 22, the liquid amount of water added in step 24 then freezes relatively quickly between ice moldings and vessel, without requiring a downstream cooling, as in step 25. However, this downstream cooling in step 25 can also still be carried out nonetheless.

[0075] The beverage container can also be cooled to be colder than the freezing point G. The beverage liquid then also freezes to the vessel wall. Maximally as much liquid can freeze, as the bottle can remove energy from the beverage liquid as a result of its specific thermal capacity.

[0076] If the precooling took place in step 22, however, one can skip directly from step 24 to step 26, the waiting step.

[0077] FIG. 3 shows a bottled beverage comprising two ice moldings swimming therein. The beverage container 31 is embodied in a closable manner, for example as bottle, which is suitable to be transported. The liquid beverage liquid 32 is located in the vessel 31 up to the status level 33. The ice moldings 35 swim freely in the liquid beverage liquid 32 here. The ice moldings 35 are not connected to the vessel bottom and they are also not frozen to one another. The ice moldings 35 swim completely freely in the beverage liquid 32.

[0078] FIG. 4 shows a schematic illustration for a method for producing a beverage according to FIG. 3.

[0079] At first, the beverage container is prepared to be filled at a temperature T0 C. in step 41. On principle, the bottling takes place at room temperature. In step 42, the beverage container can optionally be precooled to a temperature between the freezing point G of the beverage liquid and 0 C. in step 42.

[0080] The beverage container 31 can also be cooled to be colder than freezing point G. The beverage liquid then also freezes to the vessel wall. Maximally as much liquid can freeze, as the bottle can remove energy from the beverage liquid as a result of its specific thermal capacity. This, however, is optional. One can also skip directly from step 41 to step 43. The beverage liquid is filled in at a temperature T between its freezing point G and 0 C. in step 43.

[0081] In step 44, the ice moldings are then added into the beverage container, in which the beverage liquid is already located at a temperature of 0 C. (freezing point of the ice moldings).

[0082] To ensure a continuous cooling to secure the cold conditions, the storage cooling is carried out at a temperature between or equal to the two freezing points in step 45.

[0083] Depending on the cold conditions, it may be expedient to insert the optional precooling step 42, so as to avoid that the beverage liquid is heated to a temperature of >0 C. by means of the room temperature-warm vessel. This should be avoided, if possible, so as to avoid a melting of the ice moldings on their surface. The beverage liquid with its temperature colder than 0 C., which is already located in the vessel at the time the ice moldings are added, effectively prevents that the ice moldings melt on the surface. They thus do not have the opportunity to freeze to one another or to the vessel wall. As a result, the ice moldings remain separated so as to swim freely separated from one another inside the beverage liquid in the case of this alternative embodiment.

[0084] FIG. 5 shows a schematic illustration of an apparatus 50 for introducing water ice moldings 51 into a beverage container 52 comprising a tapering container opening 53. An ice-making device of the through flow cooler principle 54 serves as guide device for the water ice moldings 51. Liquid water is introduced at the inlet 55 of the ice-making device 54 and is cooled to a temperature below the freezing point inside the ice-making device 54, so that a strand of ice exits at the outlet 56. The ice molding 2 is separated from the strand of ice here.

[0085] The separation of the ice molding 51 from the strand of ice takes place by means of two opposite shearing elements 57, 58, which separate the ice molding 51 from the strand of ice on both sides. The shearing elements 57, 58 move perpendicular to the strand of ice in the arrow direction and exert a perpendicular separating force in the radial direction thereon. They virtually act like pliers and squeeze the strand of ice through. As a result of the arrangement of the shearing elements 57, 58 opposite one another, a halfway flat breaking surface is created between the two pressure points. This provides the above-described canting protection.

[0086] The guide device in the form of the ice-making device here is connected to a positioning device 59. The positioning device 59 is illustrated in cross section here and is embodied as funnel. In the interior, it has a funnel head, which is open in the direction of the beverage container 52, which is to be filled. In response to the filling, the beverage container 52, here in the form of a bottle, is pushed against the positioning device 59 from below in this example, wherein the tapered container opening 53, here in the form of the bottle neck, is pushed into the funnel head of the positioning device 59 from below, and the axis of the tapered container opening 53 is thus centered with the funnel axis.

[0087] Due to the fact that the outlet 56 of the ice-making device 54 is also arranged so as to be centered to the funnel axis of the positioning device 59, the axis of the outlet 56 of the ice-making device 54 is thus centered with the axis of the tapered container opening 53, whereby the positioning device 59 fulfills the task of orienting the outlet 55 of the ice-making device 54 and the tapered container opening 53 relative to one another. As a result, the strand of ice, which exits from the outlet 56 of the ice-making deice 54, then moves exactly into the tapered container opening 53, without experiencing any kind of inclined shearing force and to thus cant. The shearing elements 57, 58 shear the ice molding 51 off the strand of ice, and the ice molding can then drop freely into the beverage container 52. The tapered container opening 53 is then free for the next ice molding again.

[0088] FIG. 6 shows a schematic illustration of a further apparatus for introducing water ice moldings 51 in a beverage container 52, in the case of which the guide device is embodied with a magazine 60 comprising a plurality of separated ice molding chambers 61. Frozen ice moldings, which can be conveyed out of the ice molding chambers 61 by means of an ejection mechanism, are located inside the ice molding chambers 61.

[0089] So that the ice moldings 51 can slide into the tapered container opening 53 without canting, the positioning device 59, here in the form of a funnel, ensures the orientation of the tapered container opening 53 to the ice molding chamber 61, out of which an ice molding is to be conveyed and is to be conveyed into the beverage container 52.

[0090] The funnel-shaped positioning device 59 can position the tapered container opening 53, here in the form of a bottle neck as described above, for this purpose. The magazine 60 comprising the ice molding chambers 61 is then positioned relative to the positioning device 59 in such a way that the axis of an ice molding chamber corresponds to the axis of the funnel of the positioning device 59 or with the tapered container opening 53, respectively. If the ice molding is then conveyed out of the centered ice molding chamber 61, it can slide into the tapered container opening 53 without canting.

[0091] The magazine 60 is then shifted horizontally along the arrow direction H until the next adjacent ice molding chamber 61 with its central axis corresponds to the central axis of the tapered container opening 53 again. The ice molding, which is located in this ice molding chamber 61, which is now centered, can be inserted into the beverage container 52, which is still positioned below the positioning device 59, on the one hand. On the other hand, however, the beverage container 52, which is positioned below the positioning device 59, can be exchanged in the meantime, and the ice molding, which is located in the ice molding chamber 61, is then inserted into a new beverage container area 52.

[0092] The magazine 60 is then moved further by one ice molding chamber 61 along the arrow direction H, until the central axis of the next ice molding chamber 61 is centered relative to the central axis of the tapered container opening 53. The individual ice molding chambers 61 are combined by means of a magazine 60 in this exemplary embodiment, and are guided past the positioning device 10 or past the container opening 53, respectively. The guiding of the individual ice molding chambers 61 past the container opening 53, however, can also take place for example by means of an endless chain, to which individual ice molding chambers are fastened.

[0093] Instead of the shown matrix-like magazine 11, a circular revolver can also be used, for example. Said revolver would then not be oriented in a translatory manner, like the magazine 11, but would have to experience a rotatory orientation.

[0094] FIG. 7 shows a schematic illustration of another apparatus for introducing water ice moldings 51 in a beverage container 52, wherein the guide device is formed with a chute 70. The chute 70 is connected to the funnel-shaped positioning device 59. The funnel-shaped positioning device 59 can position the tapered container opening 53 of the beverage container 52, as described above. The chute 70, which is connected to the funnel-shaped positioning device 59, ensures that an ice molding 51, which is located on the chute 70, receives a defined direction of movement and speed of movement. The connection of chute 70 and positioning device 59 is embodied in such a way that the outlet of the chute 70 leads into the funnel of the positioning device 59, so that an ice molding 51, which slides down the chute 70, slides into the funnel-shaped recess of the positioning device 59 at the outlet of the chute 70.

[0095] This has the result that the ice molding 51 can then be inserted into the tapered container opening 53, which is positioned therebelow. Due to the fact that the chute 70 located thereabove has already caused a defined direction of movement and speed of movement on the ice molding 51, the ice molding slides into the tapered container opening 53 without canting and through the latter into the beverage container 52.

[0096] A vibration device 71, which can set the chute 70 into vibrations, is arranged on the chute 70. The vibrations of the chute 70, in turn, are further transferred to an ice molding 51, which is located on the chute 70. The vibrations have the advantage that an adhering of the ice moldings 51 to the chute 70 can be reduced, and should the ice molding 51 nonetheless cant in response to being introduced into the tapered container opening 53, this canting is released.

[0097] FIG. 8 shows a schematic illustration of yet a further apparatus for introducing water ice moldings 51 in a beverage container 52, wherein the guide device has a funnel 80. The funnel 80 is fastened to the positioning device 59 by means of its tapered funnel outlet in such a way that the central axis of the tapered funnel outlet of the funnel 80 corresponds to the central axis of the funnel-shaped recess of the positioning device 59, and thus also corresponds to the central axis of the tapered container opening 54, which is pushed into the positioning device 59 from below.

[0098] An ice molding 51, which is placed into the funnel 80, is diverted in a defined direction of movement at defined speed of movement by means of the funnel 80. The ice molding 51 will be oriented in such a way that it will slide perpendicularly through the outlet of the funnel 80.

[0099] Due to the described arrangement of the funnel 80, the ice molding 51 is then in a state of movement, in which it can slide freely and without canting into the tapered container opening 53. A vibration device 71, which can set the funnel 80 into vibrations, is arranged around the funnel 80 (illustrated in cross section here). These vibrations are further transferred to an ice molding located adjacently in the funnel 80 and can, as described above, reduce adhesive forces of the ice molding 51 or can release a canting in the outlet of the funnel 80, respectively, or in the tapered container opening 53, respectively.

[0100] The features disclosed in the above description, the claims as well as the drawings, can be relevant for the realization of the various embodiments, both alone and in any combination.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0101] 11, 31, 52 beverage container [0102] 12, 32 liquid beverage liquid [0103] 13, 33 fill level [0104] 14, 34 bottom [0105] 15, 35, 51 ice molding [0106] 50 apparatus [0107] 53 tapered container opening [0108] 54 ice-making device of the through flow cooler principle [0109] 55 inlet [0110] 56 outlet [0111] 57, 58 shearing elements [0112] 59 positioning device [0113] 60 magazine [0114] 61 ice molding chamber [0115] 70 chute [0116] 71 vibration device [0117] 80 funnel