MIXING ASSEMBLY AND METHOD FOR DISPENSING COLD WATER CONTAINING CO2

• US 20030137896A1
• Filed: 02/18/2000
• Published: 07/24/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/1997
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Margret Spiegel
• Original Assignee: Margret Spiegel
• Inventors: Spiegel, Margret
• Application Number:
  US09/507,194
• Publication Number:
  US 20030137896A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 366/144
• CPC Class Codes: A23L 2/54 Mixing with gases
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 23/2363 Mixing systems, i.e. flow charts or diagrams; Arrangements, e.g. comprising controlling means
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0058 In-line carbonators
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0059 in combination with a mixer tap constructional features of the tap E03C1/04
• CPC Class Codes: E03B 7/00 Water main or service pipe systems pipes or tubes in general F16L
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/04 Water-basin installations specially adapted to wash-basins or baths valves, faucets, mixing valves, taps F16K
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/046 Adding soap, disinfectant, or the like in the supply line or at the water outletpreventing contamination of drinking-water pipes E03C1/10
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 2201/40 Arrangement of water treatment devices in domestic plumbing installations
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 2201/45 for carbonated water

Abstract

A mixing assembly includes a water tap connection with at least one cold water feed which is provided with a second cold water feed that is connected to a CO₂ supply. The CO₂ supply is connected by a CO₂ conduit to a metering station which is connected to the second cold water feed and is configured as a nozzle projecting in the second cold water feed and arranged radially to the second cold water feed. Provided between the metering station and the water tap connection is a mixer in the form of a static mixer. The second cold water feed is connected to the main water line, but can also be connected to the cold water feed by a branch pipe. Suitably, the second cold water feed is configured between the metering station and the water tap connection as a reaction conduit of e.g. helical shape.

Claims

1. A mixing assembly, comprising a water tap connection with a first cold water feed;

a second cold water feed; and

a CO₂ supply connected to the second water feed.

2. The mixing assembly according to claim 1, and further comprising a metering station disposed in the second cold water feed, said CO₂ supply being connected via a CO₂ conduit to the metering station.

3. The mixing assembly according to claim 2, wherein the metering station is designed as a nozzle which projects into the second cold water feed.

4. The mixing assembly according to claim 3, wherein the nozzle is arranged radially to the second cold water feed.

5. The mixing assembly according to claim 2, and further comprising a mixer arranged between the metering station and the water tap connection.

6. The mixing assembly according to claim 5, wherein the mixer is designed as static mixer.

7. The mixing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the second cold water feed is connected to a main water line.

8. The mixing assembly according to claim 1, and further comprising a branch pipe for connecting the second cold water feed to the cold water feed.

9. The mixing assembly according to claim 2, wherein the second cold water feed forms a reaction conduit between the metering station and the water tap connection.

10. The mixing assembly according to claim 9, wherein the reaction conduit has the shape of a helix.

11. The mixing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the second cold water feed includes a control member at the water tap connection.

12. The mixing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the water tap connection includes a hot water feed.

13. The mixing assembly according to claim 12, wherein the water tap connection is designed as two-handle faucet for mixing cold water and hot water, said second cold water feed having an additional control member for dispensing CO₂ containing cold water.

14. The mixing assembly according to claim 12, wherein the water tap connection is designed as single-hand lever faucet, said second cold water feed being adapted for dispensing CO₂ containing cold water.

15. The mixing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the CO₂ supply is arranged in a CO₂ supply container.

16. The mixing assembly according to claim 15, wherein the CO₂ supply container is designed as exchangeable CO₂ bottle.

17. The mixing assembly according to claim 2, wherein the CO₂ supply is arranged in a CO₂ bottle, said CO₂ bottle being connectable via a quick-release coupling with the CO₂ conduit.

18. The mixing assembly according to claim 15, wherein the CO₂ supply container is designed as refillable CO₂ tank.

19. The mixing assembly according to claim 15, and further comprising a pressure reducer positioned upstream of the CO₂ supply container.

20. The mixing assembly according to claim 15, and further comprising a flow rate controller positioned upstream of the CO₂ supply container.

21. The mixing assembly according to claim 15, and further comprising a manometer positioned upstream of the CO₂ supply container.

22. The mixing assembly according to claim 2, and further comprising a distributor, positioned upstream of the metering station, for connecting the second cold water feed via distribution lines with a plurality of said one water tap connection.

23. The mixing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the second cold water feed includes a backflow prevention device.

24. The mixing assembly according to claim 2, wherein the metering station forms a structural unit which is detachable from the first and second cold water feeds.

25. The mixing assembly according to claim 24, wherein the mixer is integrated in the structural unit.

26. The mixing assembly according to claim 24, wherein the structural unit is inserted via connection parts between the first cold water feed and the second cold water feed.

27. The mixing assembly according to claim 26, wherein the connection parts are designed as releaseable screw connections.

28. The mixing assembly according to claim 27, and further comprising a branch pipe for connecting the second cold water feed to the cold water feed, a first one of said screw connections being positioned in the branch pipe upstream of the metering station in flow direction of the cold water.

29. The mixing assembly according to claim 27, wherein the second cold water feed forms a reaction conduit between the metering station and the water tap connection, a second one of said screw connections being positioned in the reaction conduit downstream of the metering station in flow direction of the cold water.

30. The mixing assembly according to claim 29, wherein the mixer is positioned upstream of the second screw connection in flow direction of the cold water.

31. The mixing assembly according to claim 29, wherein the second screw connection is designed as a squeeze-type seal.

32. The mixing assembly according to claim 31, and further comprising a coupling nut provided in sealing direction of the seal-type seal for applying the sealing force.

33. The mixing assembly according to claim 32, wherein the water tap connection includes a hot water feed, and further comprising a casing for accommodating the first and second cold water feeds and the hot water feed, said coupling nut being so placed as to be accessible from outside of the casing.

34. The mixing assembly according to claim 2, wherein the CO₂ supply is arranged in a CO₂ supply container, said CO₂ supply container being detachable from the metering station.

35. The mixing assembly according to claim 34, and further comprising a releaseable connection, provided in the CO₂ conduit, for attaching the CO₂ conduit from the metering station.

36. The mixing assembly according to claim 35, wherein the releaseable connection is provided immediately upstream of the metering station in flow direction of the CO₂ gas.

37. A method for dispensing CO₂-containing cold water from a water tap connection of a mixing assembly, having at least one cold water feed, comprising the steps of feeding CO₂ from a CO₂ supply in doses via a metering station to a second cold water feed, mixing CO₂ with cold water;

and supplying the mixture via an additional valve to a spout of the water tap connection.

38. The method according to claim 37, wherein the cold water is mixed with CO₂ in a mixer positioned upstream of the metering station.

39. The method according to claim 37, wherein for further mixture of cold water and CO₂ a reaction time is maintained which is realized by a respective length of a reaction conduit.

40. The method according to claim 37, wherein for further mixture of cold water and CO₂ a reaction time is maintained which is realized by a respective reactor.