DISPENSER CARTRIDGE

Abstract

A dispenser cartridge (1) for a drinking-water dispensing system (2), by means of which at least partially carbonated drinking water can be discharged from an outlet element (3) of the drinking-water dispensing system (2), wherein the dispenser cartridge (1) is provided and set up for introducing a dispenser substance (4) into the drinking water, wherein the dispensing cartridge (1) comprises a mount (5) for an exchangeable dispensing capsule (6) comprising the dispenser substance (4), wherein the dispensing capsule (6) can be held in the mount (5) in such a manner that at least a part of the drinking water flows through or around at least a part of the dispensing capsule (6), and wherein the dispensing cartridge (1) is set up in such a manner that it can be detachably installed in the outlet element (3) of the drinking-water dispensing system (2).

Claims

1. A dispenser cartridge (1) for a drinking-water dispensing system (2), by means of which at least partially carbonated drinking water can be dispensed from an outlet element (3) of the drinking-water dispensing system (2), contributes to solving the problem, wherein the dispenser cartridge (1) is provided and set up for introducing a dispenser substance (4) into the drinking water, wherein the dispensing cartridge (1) comprises a mount (5) for an exchangeable dispensing cartridge (6) comprising the dispenser substance (4), wherein the dispensing cartridge (6) can be held in the mount (5) in such a manner that at least a part of the drinking water flows through or around at least a part of the dispensing cartridge (6), and wherein the dispensing cartridge (1) is set up in such a manner that it can be detachably installed in the outlet element (3) of the drinking-water dispensing system (2).

2. The dispenser cartridge (1) according to claim 1, wherein the mount (5) forms an elongated space (7) for the dispenser cartridge (6).

3. The dispenser cartridge (1) according to claim 1, wherein the mount (5) comprises at least two holding devices (8) for holding the dispenser cartridge (6), which holding devices are arranged at opposite ends of the mount (5).

4. The dispenser cartridge (1) according to claim 1, wherein the dispenser cartridge (1) forms a first water route (9) extending through the mount (5) and a second water route (10) extending at least partially past the mount (5).

5. The dispenser cartridge (1) according to claim 1, wherein the dispenser cartridge (1) comprises a bottom part (11) and a top part (12) that can be detachably interconnected.

6. A drinking-water dispenser (2) for discharging at least partially carbonated drinking water, comprising a water faucet (13) having an outlet element (3), from which the drinking water can be discharged, and a base element (14) to which the outlet element (3) can be connected, and a carbonating device (15) that can be connected to the water faucet (13), further comprising a dispenser cartridge (1) according to claim 1, which is detachably installed in the outlet element (3).

7. A method of dispensing at least partially carbonated drinking water into which a dispenser substance (4) is introduced inside an outlet element (3) of a drinking water tap (2), comprising at least the following steps: a) installing a replaceable dispensing capsule (6) in a mount (5) of a dispenser cartridge (1) for introducing the dispenser substance (4) into the drinking water, such that the dispensing capsule (6) is held in the mount (5) such that at least a part of the drinking water flows through or around at least a part of the dispensing capsule (6), b) installing the dispenser cartridge (1) in the outlet element (3) of the drinking-water dispenser (2), c) carbonizing at least part of the drinking water, which is then discharged from the drinking-water dispenser (2) through the outlet element (3), d) introducing the dispenser substance (4) into the drinking water by at least a part of the drinking water flowing through or around at least a part of the dispensing capsule (6) arranged in the outlet element (3).

8. The method of claim 7, wherein assembling the replaceable dispenser cartridge (6) comprises connecting a bottom part (11) of the dispensing capsule (6) to a top part (12) of the dispensing capsule (6).

9. The method of claim 7, wherein carbonated drinking water flows through or around at least a part of the dispensing capsule (6) and is thus brought into contact with the dispenser substance (4).

10. Use of a dispenser cartridge (1) installed in an outlet element (3) of a drinking- water dispensing system (2) for introducing a dispenser substance (4) into drinking water flowing through the outlet element (3) while at least partially carbonated drinking water is discharged from the outlet element (3) by means of the drinking-water dispensing system (2), wherein the dispenser cartridge (1) has a mount (5) for an exchangeable dispensing capsule (6) comprising the dispenser substance (4), and wherein the dispensing capsule (6) is held in the mount (5) in such a way that at least some of the drinking water flows through or around at least part of the dispensing capsule (6).

Description

[0027] The invention and its technical environment presented here are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. It should be noted that the invention is not intended to be restricted by the shown exemplary embodiments. In particular, unless explicitly stated otherwise, it is also possible to extract partial aspects of the facts explained in or in the context of the Figures and combine them with other components and/or findings from other Figures and/or this description. In an exemplary and schematic manner

[0028] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a drinking-water dispenser described here,

[0029] FIG. 2 shows a detailed view of the outlet of a drinking-water dispenser described herein having a dispenser cartridge described herein in sectional view,

[0030] FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of a dispenser cartridge described here,

[0031] FIG. 4a shows a sectional view of a top part for a dispenser cartridge described herein, and

[0032] FIG. 4b shows a sectional view of a bottom part of a dispenser cartridge described here.

[0033] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary and schematic perspective view of a drinking water dispenser 2 described herein. The drinking water dispenser 2 is used to discharge at least partially carbonated drinking water. For this purpose, the drinking water dispenser 2 has a water faucet 13 and a carbonating device 15 connected to the water faucet 13. The water faucet 3 has an outlet element 3, from which the drinking water can be discharged, and a base element 14, to which the outlet element 3 is connected. Furthermore, the drinking-water dispenser 2 comprises a dispenser cartridge 1 described herein, which is detachably installed in the outlet element 3 of the water faucet 13.

[0034] The dashed lines in FIG. 1 indicate that, for instance, cold water can be supplied to both the water faucet 13 (directly) and the carbonating device 15. In addition, hot water can also be supplied (directly) to the water faucet 13 to be able to generate a mixed water having a desired temperature in the water faucet 13. By connecting the water faucet 13 and the carbonating device 15 to a cold-water supply, it can be advantageously achieved that carbonated or non-carbonated or differently carbonated (mixed) water of possibly even different temperatures can be dispensed by means of the drinking water dispenser 2 as required.

[0035] FIG. 2 shows in an exemplary and schematic manner a detailed view of the outlet 3 of a drinking-water dispenser 2 described here (cf. FIG. 1) having a dispenser cartridge 1 described here shown in sectional view. The dispenser cartridge 1 is provided and arranged for use in a drinking-water dispenser 2, by means of which at least partially carbonated drinking water can be discharged from an outlet element 3 of the drinking-water dispenser 2. The dispenser cartridge 1 is further provided and adapted for introducing a dispenser substance 4 into the drinking water. Furthermore, the dispenser cartridge 1 has a mount 5 for a replaceable dispensing capsule 6 comprising the dispenser substance 4 (cf. FIG. 3). The dispensing capsule 6 can be retained in the mount 5 such that at least some of the drinking water flows through or around at least a part of the dispensing capsule 6. Moreover, the dispenser cartridge 1 is arranged to be detachably installed (completely) in the outlet element 3 of the drinking-water dispenser 2.

[0036] FIG. 2 also shows that the dispenser cartridge 1 may form a first water route 9 extending through the mount 5 and a second water route 10 extending at least partially past the mount 5. Advantageously, this permits the introduction of the dispenser substance 4 into the drinking water to take place on an as-needed or optional basis, namely in particular when the first water route 9 is unblocked. To open the first water route 9, for instance, an end section of the outlet element 3 can be manually rotated. However, other options for the selective or on-demand introduction of the dispenser substance 4 are also conceivable, for instance, provision can be made for the first water route 9 to be only used or supplied with water when an introduction of the dispenser substance 4 is selected at the water faucet 13.

[0037] Furthermore, the water routes 9, 10 can also be separated from each other in such a way that carbonated drinking water can be conveyed via one of the water routes 9, 10 and non-carbonated drinking water can be conveyed via the other of the water routes 9, 10. Thus, the water routes 9, 10 can also contribute, if necessary, to a selectivity of the strength of carbonation, in particular via a mixing ratio of carbonated drinking water and non-carbonated drinking water can be adjusted or selected.

[0038] FIG. 2 further shows an example of how the dispenser cartridge 1 can be (re)detachably secured in the one outlet element 3. For instance, the dispenser cartridge 1 is provided with a (male) thread at one of its ends and that can be screwed into a sleeve 16, which is secured in the one outlet element 3. The sleeve 16 is also detachably secured in the outlet element 3 in this case by way of example. A holder 17, which can be formed of a spring-elastic material, for instance, contributes thereto.

[0039] FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of a dispenser cartridge 1 described here in an exemplary and schematic manner. The reference numerals are used uniformly to be able to make reference to the explanations above.

[0040] In FIG. 3, it can be seen that the mount 5 can form an elongated space 7 for the dispensing capsule 6. FIG. 3 further illustrates that the mount 5 may have at least two holding devices 8 for holding the dispensing capsule 6, arranged at opposite ends of the mount 5. Water may flow through the individual holding devices 8, such that water may flow into the dispenser cartridge 6 through one of the holding devices 8 (in this case, the upper holding device 8) and out of the dispensing capsule 6 through the other of the holding devices 8 (in this case, accordingly, the lower holding device 8). Furthermore, the holding devices 8 can contribute to the opening of the dispensing capsule 6. For instance, the holding devices 8 may each be pin-shaped and capable of piercing a closure of the dispensing capsule 6.

[0041] FIG. 4a shows a sectional view of a top part 12 for a dispenser cartridge 1 described here in an exemplary and schematic manner. In the top part 12, an upper part of the mount 5 is formed by way of example. Thus, for instance, an upper section of the space 7 and one of the holding devices 8 may also be formed in the top part 12.

[0042] FIG. 4b shows a sectional view of a bottom part 11 for a dispenser cartridge 1 described here in an exemplary and schematic manner. In the bottom part 11, a lower part of the mount 5 is formed by way of example. Thus, for instance, a lower section of the space 7 and one of the holding devices 8 may also be formed in the bottom part 11. Thus, FIGS. 4a and 4b illustrate an example of that and, if applicable, how the dispenser cartridge 1 may include a bottom part 11 and a top part 12 that can be detachably interconnected.

[0043] The drinking-water dispensing system 2 described herein, for instance, can be used to dispense at least partially carbonated drinking water, into which a dispenser substance 4 is introduced inside an outlet element 3 of the drinking-water dispensing system 2 in the manner outlined below.

[0044] First, the exchangeable dispensing capsule 6 can be installed in the mount 5 of the dispenser cartridge 1 for introducing the dispenser substance 4 into the drinking water. Installation is done in such a way that the dispensing capsule 6 is held in the mount 5 in such a way that at least a part of the drinking water flows through or around at least a part of the dispensing capsule 6. For instance, assembling the interchangeable dispensing capsule 6 may include connecting a bottom part 11 of the dispensing capsule 6 to a top part 12 of the dispensing capsule 6. Thereafter, the dispenser cartridge 1 can be installed in the outlet element 3 of the drinking-water dispenser 2.

[0045] Thereafter, at least a part of the drinking water can be carbonized, which may thereafter be discharged from the drinking-water dispenser 2 through the discharge element 3. After carbonization, the dispenser substance 4 can be introduced into the drinking water by at least a part of the dispenser cartridge 6 arranged in the outlet element 3 that is flowed through or around by at least a part of the drinking water. In this context, exemplary provision can be made for (previously) carbonated drinking water to flow at least through or around at least part of the dispenser cartridge 6 and thus be brought into contact with the dispenser substance 4. Alternatively, however, provision may be made for a part of the drinking water, which has been carbonated, and a separate (non-carbonated) part of the drinking water, into which the dispenser substance 4 has been introduced by means of the dispenser cartridge 1, to be mixed together, for instance in the outlet element 3.

[0046] On the basis of FIGS. 1 to 4, an advantageous way of using a dispenser cartridge 1 installed in an outlet element 3 of a drinking-water dispensing system 2 for introducing a dispenser substance 4 into drinking water flowing through the outlet element 3 while at least partially carbonated drinking water is discharged from the outlet element 3 by means of the drinking-water dispensing system 2 is also illustrated, wherein the dispenser cartridge 1 has a mount 5 for an exchangeable dispenser cartridge 6 comprising the dispenser substance 4, and wherein the dispenser cartridge 6 is held in the mount 5 in such a way that at least some of the drinking water flows through or around at least part of the dispenser cartridge 6.

[0047] Thus, a dispenser cartridge for a drinking-water dispensing system, a drinking-water dispensing system having such a dispenser cartridge, a method for dispensing at least partially carbonated drinking water, in which a dispenser substance is introduced inside an outlet element of a drinking-water dispensing system, and a use of a dispenser cartridge installed in an outlet element of a drinking-water dispensing system are disclosed, which at least partially solve the problems described with reference to the prior art. In particular, this enables a user to design a beverage as individually as possible and at the same time to produce this beverage as quickly as possible and in as large a quantity as required.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0048] 1 dispenser cartridge

[0049] 2 drinking-water tap

[0050] 3 outlet element

[0051] 4 dispenser substance

[0052] 5 mount

[0053] 6 dispenser cartridge

[0054] 7 space

[0055] 8 holding device

[0056] 9 first water route

[0057] 10 second water route

[0058] 11 bottom part

[0059] 12 top part

[0060] 13 water faucet

[0061] 14 base element

[0062] 15 carbonizer

[0063] 16 sleeve

[0064] 17 holder