HK1190998A - Beverage dispensing apparatus with a carbonation system - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention concerns apparatus for on-demand preparation of carbonated beverages. The invention further concerns processes for preparing and dispensing carbonated beverages upon user-demand.

Description

Beverage dispensing device with carbonation system

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a device for dispensing beverages including carbonated beverages.

Background

Water dispensers for providing carbonated water are known.

EP0867219 describes a device for carbonating a liquid, said device comprising a container for containing the liquid to be more carbonated (which can be closed by a closure), a container for pressurized gas containing gas and an adapter sealingly connected to said container. The adapter comprises means for releasing an overpressure located therein.

US5992684 describes a water dispenser comprising a housing containing a source of water and a water storage tank located above the source. A water circuit connects the water source and the water storage tank, from which water is transferred to the tank by means of a vacuum pump. A faucet is connected to the water storage tank. Optionally, a carbon dioxide injection system is provided to produce carbonated water.

WO2003/048027 describes a beverage dispensing device for a domestic refrigerator, the device comprising a beverage supply housing holding a plurality of valve actuators, a water supply for selectively supplying carbonated water and non-carbonated water, a gas supply for supplying carbon dioxide gas to carbonate the water, and a fluid directing means.

Other carbonated water dispensing devices are described in WO2003/098136, EP1579906, WO2006/092783 and US 7861550.

Reference to the literature

The following documents are considered to be background art related to the present invention

EP0867219

US5992684

WO2003/048027

WO2003/098136

EP1579906

WO2006/092783

US7861550

US7987769

WO2007/017864

WO2008/0262208

WO2011/030340

WO2011/030339

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention provides a beverage dispensing device having a carbonation subsystem that provides a quantity of carbonated beverage upon demand by a user. It is an object of the present invention to provide an efficient and compact carbonation system, particularly a carbonation system incorporating a beverage dispensing device for providing a serving quantity of beverage, such as water. A typical embodiment is a small-sized home beverage dispensing system, such as a dispenser for a table or countertop, that requires more minimal internal components to remain compact. Examples of dispensers are for instance suitable for preparing and instantly dispensing glass drinking quantities of beverage. The system is generally configured to provide carbonated or uncarbonated beverages on demand. The carbonation system is adapted to carbonate the liquid just prior to dispensing, wherein unpleasant mouthfeel resulting from storage of the carbonated liquid between preparation and dispensing can be minimized.

In the following description, the term "liquid" refers to an aqueous liquid entering the device from a liquid source, which is a beverage in its final form (free from carbonation), for example as such dispensed water or as carbonated water, or may be used to mix with another ingredient, such as a flavour, alcohol, fruit juice or flavouring, for mixing with water to prepare a final carbonated or uncarbonated beverage (e.g. a flavoured beverage). In the specific embodiment described below with reference to the drawings, the liquid is water and the beverage being dispensed is carbonated or non-carbonated water. It should be noted that these are non-limiting examples of liquids and dispensed beverages.

The term "beverage" as used herein refers to a beverage dispensed from a beverage outlet. The term "liquid" will be used until the former is dispensed to refer to the aqueous liquid that flows through the device and is processed (e.g., filtered, sterilized, heated, cooled, carbonated, and/or mixed with other ingredients (e.g., flavors, fragrances, alcohols, etc.) to form the final beverage). The mixing can be performed while the liquid is flowing within the flow system in the device, or before dispensing.

In one aspect, the present invention provides a beverage dispensing apparatus comprising a liquid flow system, a carbonation subsystem, a beverage dispensing outlet, and a pressure reduction unit. The liquid flow system defines a liquid flow path between a liquid source and a beverage dispensing outlet. The carbonation system is used for charging carbon dioxide (CO) into the liquid₂). The carbonation chamber includes a carbonation chamber coupled to a liquid flow system for receiving a quantity of liquid from the source of aqueous liquid and coupled to a source of carbon dioxide to carbonate the quantity of liquid when the quantity of liquid is located in the carbonation chamber. The chamber is connected to a dispensing outlet. The chamber is also connected to a pressure reduction facility operable to reduce carbon dioxide after the water in the carbonation chamber is carbonated and prior to dispensing the carbonated beverageAnd (4) pressure.

The aspect mentioned in the preceding paragraph will be described herein as the "pressure relief aspect".

The pressure reduction means may include a regulator for relieving excess pressure, the regulator being in gaseous communication with the chamber. The pressure relief unit may also include an outlet fitted with a module (e.g., cyclone) configured to separate gas and liquid droplets carried by the gas and then circulate the liquid separated from the gas into the flow system or distribute it, e.g., discharge the liquid into a drain.

The reduction in pressure prior to beverage dispensing allows the residual pressure in the chamber to be controlled to ensure that sufficient pressure pushes the carbonated liquid against the dispensing outlet and, at the same time, provides smooth dispensing of the beverage from the outlet (e.g., without undesirable spillage or uneven flow due to excessive residual pressure or insufficient residual pressure).

The operating cycle of the pressure relief aspect of the apparatus includes: (a) introducing a quantity of liquid into a carbonation chamber through a liquid inlet, (b) introducing a quantity of carbon dioxide gas into the carbonation chamber to carbonate the liquid, (c) activating the pressure reduction means to reduce the pressure in the chamber to a predetermined pressure until carbonation is achieved, and (d) dispensing a quantity of carbonated beverage. The dispensing of a quantity of beverage is facilitated by the gas pressure (e.g., residual pressure) in the carbonation chamber.

According to another aspect of the invention, a beverage dispensing apparatus includes a liquid flow system, a carbonation system, and a beverage dispensing outlet. The liquid flow system defines a liquid flow path between a liquid source and a beverage dispensing outlet. The carbonation system is for carbonating a quantity of liquid. The carbonation subsystem includes a carbonation chamber connected to the liquid flow system for receiving a quantity of liquid from the source and to the pressurized carbon dioxide source for carbonating the quantity of liquid in the chamber. According to this aspect, the chamber is connected to a circulation pump for circulating the liquid between the circulation outlet and the circulation inlet of the chamber during carbonation of the liquid.

The aspect mentioned in the preceding paragraph is referred to herein as the "circulation pump aspect".

The circulating mechanism applied to the aspect of the circulating pump comprises a circulating pump, and the circulating pump is connected with the carbonation chamber and is suitable for circulating liquid between a circulating outlet and a circulating inlet of the carbonation chamber. It should be noted, however, that the invention is not limited to the use of a pump, and other liquid circulation mechanisms (e.g., the use of an agitator) are possible.

According to this aspect, the pump is activated during carbonation and liquid is circulated between the outlet and the inlet, thereby causing an accompanying flow of liquid through the chamber (in the general direction from the circulation inlet to the circulation outlet), thereby continuously circulating through the chamber a quantity of liquid to be carbonated. Depending on the speed of the pump, the liquid may be circulated once, multiple times, or only partially through the chamber.

The liquid circulation enables efficient carbonation when using relatively low carbon dioxide gas pressures, thereby maximizing the use of the carbon dioxide tank, reducing the risk of failure associated with the use of high pressure systems, and reducing overall costs by allowing the use of components adapted for low gas pressures.

The operating sequence of the device on the circulating pump side generally comprises the following steps: (a) introducing a quantity of liquid into the chamber, (b) carbonating the liquid contained in the chamber during circulation of the liquid, and (c) dispensing a quantity of carbonated beverage.

According to an embodiment of the circulation pump aspect, the operating sequence comprises opening a liquid inlet valve for controlling flow through the liquid inlet to feed liquid into the carbonation chamber. The carbonation step is then initiated, comprising two acts taken together: (i) opening a gas valve to introduce a quantity of pressurized carbon dioxide gas into the chamber to carbonate the liquid in the chamber, and (ii) simultaneously activating the circulation pump to circulate the liquid during carbonation. At the end of the carbonation step the circulation pump is stopped and for dispensing an outlet valve is opened to allow the gas pressure in the chamber to push the carbonated liquid into the beverage dispensing outlet.

Various embodiments are described in the following description with reference to one or both of the above-described aspects. It should be noted that these aspects may be combined in accordance with the present invention. For example, the device for dispensing beverages according to the present invention may comprise a carbonation system with pressure reduction means and may also be connected to a liquid circulation pump. Furthermore, the embodiments described with reference to the circulation pump aspect may be implemented in the pressure relief aspect of the device and vice versa.

The amount of liquid introduced into the chamber is substantially equal to the amount of carbonated beverage to be dispensed. The amount of liquid may be a "unit amount" having a volume substantially equal to the volume of the carbonation chamber. The unit amount (i.e., a batch) is a predetermined volume of liquid, typically set at the time the carbonation subsystem is designed to be carbonated to a defined amount of liquid in each cycle of operation of the system. The unit amount may be, for example, 200 ml (e.g., the volume of one cup), 300 ml, 400 ml (about two cups), 500 ml, 1 liter, etc. In each operating cycle, a unit amount of liquid is introduced into the carbonation system, followed by carbonation, and then the entire unit amount of carbonated liquid is dispensed. In one embodiment, the volume of the carbonation chamber is set to be approximately equal to (or slightly more than) the volume of the unit amount of liquid to be carbonated in each batch. This also allows the user to prepare a fresh carbonated liquid for drinking as desired relatively quickly (e.g., for a period of several seconds). It should be noted, however, that according to one embodiment of the present invention, the user may control the amount of carbonated beverage that is dispensed. When the volume of beverage dispensed is less than the overall volume of the carbonation chamber, the carbonated liquid remaining in the chamber mixes with the fresh liquid introduced into the chamber in the next cycle. As a result, less carbon dioxide is required to effect carbonation in the next cycle to achieve a given carbonation strength.

Repeating the carbonation operation several times in succession may cool the chamber, for example because of the release of gas pressure. However, to avoid an undesirable drop in temperature below freezing, which may lead to undesirable consequences, in one embodiment of the present invention, the carbonation chamber is coupled to a heating element, such as a heating label or sleeve coupled to at least a portion of an exterior surface of the carbonation chamber. This heating element may be operated continuously, may be operated automatically when the temperature drops to a certain critical point, etc.

In certain embodiments, the carbonated liquid is pushed out of the carbonation chamber by the residual gas pressure in the chamber to dispense the beverage from the dispensing outlet. However, it is contemplated that in embodiments of the present invention, the carbonated beverage may be pushed to the dispensing outlet by gravity or a pump.

After the cycling of the operating steps, the pressure is released from the carbonation chamber after completion of the series of operating sequences.

In other embodiments, the operating cycle of the device on the circulating pump side also comprises the following steps: (i) opening a liquid inlet valve for controlling liquid entry into the chamber through the liquid inlet to deliver liquid into the carbonation chamber, (ii) opening a gas valve to introduce a quantity of pressurized carbon dioxide gas into the chamber to carbonate the liquid in the chamber, (iii) circulating liquid in the carbonation chamber during carbonation, and (iv) opening a liquid outlet valve for controlling liquid flow from the chamber to the dispensing outlet to allow pressure in the chamber to push carbonated beverage to the dispensing outlet. The operating cycle may further comprise the optional step of (v) opening a gas release valve to release carbon dioxide gas pressure from the chamber.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the amount of pressurized carbon dioxide introduced into the carbonation chamber is adjustable to prepare carbonated beverages having different concentrations of carbon dioxide to meet different tastes of different users. In other embodiments, different carbonation levels may be achieved by controlling the pressure of the carbon dioxide prior to introducing the carbon dioxide into the carbonation chamber.

In some embodiments, a quantity of carbonated beverage or a quantity of uncarbonated beverage is dispensed through a dispensing outlet, depending on the user's needs. Typically, the user may choose between a carbonated beverage and a non-carbonated beverage, which may be dispensed via the same dispensing outlet (preferred), or via different outlets, respectively. The term "dispensing outlet" will be used to refer to a dispensing outlet for carbonated beverages, a dispensing outlet for non-carbonated beverages, or an outlet for both carbonated and non-carbonated beverages.

The need for a carbonated beverage initiates a series of operations of the carbonation subsystem to provide a quantity of carbonated beverage that will cause the device to dispense a quantity of uncarbonated beverage, which may be a predetermined unit quantity or a free flow rate (user-determined quantity) of the uncarbonated beverage. An unfulfilled beverage may be obtained by allowing liquid to flow through the carbonation chamber without activating the carbonation subsystem. This arrangement makes it possible to effectively utilize the internal space of the dispenser while maintaining the compactness of the system.

In other embodiments, the device includes a bypass conduit having a valve arrangement or other flow control element that bypasses the carbonation subsystem to direct liquid from the clean subsystem directly to the dispensing outlet.

The user may select between dispensing carbonated or uncarbonated beverages by known means, such as pressing an actuation button, selecting a desired one of the options presented on the display panel, etc. This selection opens up the correct sequence of operations to match the selection as will be disclosed below. When a carbonated beverage is desired, the sequence of operations will provide a carbonated beverage (just made) that is prepared as desired. Alternatively, carbonated liquid that has been prepared and stored in the device may be dispensed, after which carbonation is used to store a quantity of fresh carbonated water, as desired.

The carbonation chamber of the present invention includes a gas release valve for releasing the pressure of carbon dioxide during an operating cycle or upon demand for a beverage that is not being carbonated. The carbonation chamber may also include a relief pressure valve designed to automatically release excess pressure that may develop in the carbonation chamber during a malfunction of the system.

The carbonation system also includes a level sensor to detect a level of liquid in the chamber. The level sensor may be connected to a closed loop control system for controlling the level of liquid in the carbonation chamber to adjust the amount of liquid fed to or dispensed from the carbonation chamber and to measure the level of liquid in the chamber at any given time during the sequence of operations.

The device typically includes valve means for controlling the flow of liquid into or out of the carbonation chamber. Such valve means generally comprise at least one valve for controlling the liquid entering the chamber, for example mounted at the liquid inlet or at some place in the liquid supply line, and/or at least one valve for controlling the liquid exiting the chamber, for example mounted at the liquid outlet or at some place in the conduit line linking the chamber to the dispensing outlet. Typical valves suitable for use in the system of the present invention may be, for example, flow control valves or on/off valves.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the apparatus includes a liquid purification subsystem in the liquid flow system for removing contaminants from the liquid and supplying clean liquid to the carbonation chamber.

The liquid purification subsystem is located between a liquid source (e.g., a continuous water source, a water container, a water reservoir, etc.) and the carbonation chamber, and in certain embodiments includes at least one of a liquid filtration unit, a liquid disinfection unit, or a liquid purification unit for filtering and/or disinfecting and/or purifying the liquid as it is introduced into the chamber. Such a filtering/disinfecting unit may be a mechanical filter for filtering particles from a liquid, such as a carbon filter, a woven filter paper or a non-woven filter paper; chemical filters for absorbing or removing chemical contaminants (e.g., heavy metals, arsenic acid, sulfur, etc.), such as activated carbon; a sterile active material for the removal of bacteria; a disinfecting device, such as a UV based component, or a combination thereof. Examples of water purification subsystems that are also useful in the inventive apparatus include (i) the system disclosed in US7987769, or (ii) utilizing the filter disclosed in WO2007/017864, WO2008/0262208, or WO 2011/030340.

The liquid purification subsystem includes a disinfection chamber connected to the carbonation chamber such that an outlet of the disinfection chamber is connected to a liquid inlet of the carbonation chamber. The sterilisation chamber and the carbonation chamber may be connected by a conduit or pipe and attached to each other according to an embodiment of the invention, e.g. the upper surface of the carbonation chamber is connected with the bottom surface of the sterilisation chamber. Such connections provide a compact arrangement of the subsystems in the dispenser device in which they are included.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is also provided a liquid treatment system comprising a liquid purification subsystem, a carbonation subsystem, and a control unit. The liquid purification subsystem includes a disinfection chamber, and a disinfection module is operably located in the disinfection chamber to disinfect liquid entering or passing through the disinfection chamber. The carbonation system is one of the embodiments described above.

In one embodiment, the liquid outlet of the disinfection chamber is connected to the liquid inlet of the carbonation chamber. The sterilisation chamber and the carbonation chamber may be integral with each other, wherein at least one wall of the sterilisation chamber is tightly connected to at least one wall of the carbonation chamber.

The two chambers may be integrally formed with each other as a single liquid treatment device. In this embodiment, the liquid treatment device includes a first chamber defining the sanitizing chamber and a second chamber defining the carbonation chamber. The sterilisation chamber in the treatment device is typically located above the carbonation chamber. In some embodiments, the sterilization chamber includes a first wide portion and a second narrow portion formed at a bottom portion thereof that extends into and is surrounded by the carbonation chamber. The liquid outlet of the sterilization chamber is formed at the bottom of the second narrow portion.

In certain embodiments, the disinfection module includes a disinfection UV light source. The UV light source is elongated tubular. According to one embodiment, the disinfection chamber has a bottom elongated lumen (which is generally cylindrical and generally has a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the UV light source) that receives the bottom of the UV light source, and the outlet of the disinfection chamber is located at the bottom of the lumen. In this manner, the effluent liquid flows along the bottom of the UV light source for proper disinfection. The light source may be replaced by a lid that can be turned on/off by the user, typically at the top of the chamber.

The system described above may be part of a beverage dispensing device (or dispenser). Such a device may also comprise a cooling unit for cooling the clean liquid when introduced into the system of the invention (e.g. the cooling unit disclosed in WO 2011/030339). According to some embodiments, the purification subsystem is incorporated into the cooling chamber of the liquid cooling unit to simultaneously cool and purify liquid received from the liquid source prior to carbonation to effectively improve the use of the interior space of the apparatus and thus reduce the exterior dimensions of the apparatus. In addition to providing a cooled beverage to the user, this cooling prior to carbonation allows for better dissolution of the carbon dioxide in the water.

According to an embodiment, the same liquid flow path used for dispensing carbonated beverages may also be used for dispensing non-carbonated beverages. According to this embodiment, the operating sequence comprises, based on the need for a beverage that is not carbonated, introducing a liquid into the carbonation chamber and dispensing the beverage without introducing pressurized carbon dioxide into the chamber. According to another embodiment, based on the need for a beverage that is not carbonated, the liquid is introduced into a carbonation chamber bypass conduit with a suitable liquid flow control element to feed water that is not carbonated into the dispensing outlet.

The system may additionally include a control module for performing an operational sequence/cycle based on the demand for carbonated beverages, such as those noted above. This control module can control the opening and closing of the various valves to ensure proper operation of the cycle, activation and deactivation of the circulation pump, and to regulate the flow of liquid and carbon dioxide throughout the system.

The control unit is operable to perform the following sequence of operations: a quantity of pressurized carbon dioxide is introduced into the carbonation chamber and liquid circulation is performed therewith.

The control mechanism may also be connected to a user activated dispensing button, or other dispensing initiation activator included in the user interface, that dispenses a quantity of carbonated or uncarbonated beverage at the user's option after the dispensing sequence is initiated by the dispensing activation signal, including opening or closing the respective flow control valve or pump. In the case of dispensing carbonated beverages, the driving force is the excess gas pressure remaining in the carbonation chamber after the carbonation step.

Beverage dispensing systems according to certain embodiments of the present invention include a replaceable carbon dioxide canister connected to a carbonation system. An alternative arrangement includes a coupling to the pressurised carbon dioxide supply line. The replaceable canister is removably connected to a connector in the dispenser. The canister is typically an elongated pressure vessel containing a quantity of pressurized carbon dioxide for a plurality of operating cycles to dispense a carbonated beverage. The canister has a pressurized carbon dioxide compartment and may be configured with a neck adapted for connection to a connector. The neck has the following: the device is for sealing the pressurized carbon dioxide compartment of the tank prior to connection of the tank to the connector and for opening the fluid coupling upon connection to allow pressurized carbon dioxide gas to flow into the carbonation subsystem. Typically, the pressurized carbon dioxide compartment of the canister is sealed by a pierceable or deformable seal which is pierced or deformed, respectively, once the neck is connected to the connector.

The connection of the can neck to the connector may be of the threaded type, for example with a male thread on the neck and a female thread in a mating recess of the connector. The connection may also be of the bayonet connection type, may be a snap connection or otherwise. It will be appreciated that any connection which connects the neck in a detachable manner to a connector in the dispenser device and which maintains an airtight seal when in operation may be applied.

The piercing or deformation of the seal causes a sudden release of pressurized gas from the carbon dioxide compartment, which may be accompanied by a brief noise impulse (e.g. a noise like explosion), and to attenuate this noise, the connector has a noise damping seal that absorbs the shock wave of the released gas and prevents its release to the outside.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the connector is rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the can body between an attached/detached state and an operative state. The can is connected to or detached from the connector in the attached/detached state, and then rotated to an operating state to enable use thereof. In the operating state, the can body is typically mounted with its longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the outer wall of the dispenser, thereby providing a compact arrangement. Typically (but not exclusively) the connector is mounted to a coupling member which enables rotational movement of one end thereof coupled to the connector relative to the other end thereof fixed to the device. This rotational degree of freedom can provide rotational movement of the connector.

The connector and the coupling element together define a sealed gas flow path from the tank to the carbon dioxide inlet. In one embodiment, an electrically actuated (e.g., solenoid type) valve device is installed in the flow path to control the flow of gas. Such valve means may be activated based on the need for a carbonated beverage. The dispenser typically includes an inlet valve at the carbon dioxide inlet to control carbonation operations. Such valve means may be in addition to (e.g. as a supplementary protection means) or instead of the inlet valve.

Drawings

In order to understand the invention and to see how it may be applied in practice, embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

FIG. 1 is a perspective side view of a beverage dispensing device according to an embodiment of the present invention with a portion of the wall removed to show the removable carbon dioxide installed in a dedicated space at the rear of the device.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the device of FIG. 1 with the side wall removed to show internal components, particularly components of the carbonation system.

Fig. 3 is a rear view of the device of fig. 1, with the canister tilted to a detached/attached position.

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a can body.

FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of a canister connected to a connector and an associated coupling member that provides gas communication between the connector and a carbonation system in the device.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged view of the device indicated by reference numeral 116 in fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view through line VII-VII in fig. 5.

Fig. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view through the coupling element.

Fig. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view through another embodiment of a coupling element.

FIG. 10A is a perspective view of a carbonation system with an associated liquid sterilization unit surrounded by a cooling jacket according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10B is a perspective view of a carbonation subsystem with an associated liquid disinfection subsystem, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 11 shows a perspective view of the bottom of the sterilization chamber and carbonation chamber of fig. 10A and 10B.

FIG. 12 illustrates a perspective view of the bottom of a sterilization chamber and an associated carbonation chamber in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a carbonation system with an associated liquid sterilization chamber in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of system components and liquid flow lines according to an embodiment of the pressure relief aspect.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of system components and liquid flow lines according to an embodiment of a circulation pump aspect.

Detailed Description

The liquid and beverage in the examples described below is water. The use of water is to be understood as merely an example and not as a limitation on the scope of the invention.

Referring initially to fig. 1 and 2, a water dispensing apparatus 100 (also referred to as a dispenser) is shown in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The device has a water inlet (not shown) that is connected to and in fluid communication with a water source. The device includes a filter 102, the filter 102 being disposed in the water flow path in the device. The water is pushed through the flow path within the device by a pump (not shown) or gravity means. The apparatus comprises a UV disinfection module and a water cooling unit (not shown in this figure but described in other embodiments below) which may be of the type described in WO2011/030339, for example. The apparatus includes a water treatment device 108 (described further below) and a dispensing outlet 110 for dispensing carbonated or uncarbonated water. A carbon dioxide tank 104 is housed in a space 112 defined at the rear of the apparatus, the longitudinal axis of the carbon dioxide tank 104 being substantially parallel to the side walls of the apparatus. As shown in fig. 4 and 5, the canister has a pressurized carbon dioxide compartment 118 and a neck 120 with external threads 122. As shown in fig. 5, the neck is threadably connected to a connector 114, the connector 114 having a recess with internal threads that mate with threads 122 of the neck 120. The connector 114 is rotatable about an axis defined by the lines VII-VII in fig. 5 and 7, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the can body, in a manner to be described below. By this rotation, the can is transferred from the use position shown in fig. 1 to the removal/attachment position shown in fig. 3, in which the used can is removed and a new fresh can is attached in place. This rotational arrangement allows the user to easily replace the canister and provides a device with compact external dimensions.

As best shown in fig. 6, the neck houses a gas release device (indicated by reference numeral 116) which seals the can when not in use, but which is opened by an abutment 117 located within the confines of the recess 115 when the neck of the can is connected to the connector. The device 116 includes a lumen 130 that receives a pin element having a pin portion 132 and a base portion 134 that is carried on a coil spring 136. The spring 136 carries at its other end a plunger 137, said plunger 137 having a pin head 138 projecting outwardly through an opening 139. The opening of the pressurized carbon dioxide compartment 118 is sealed by a deformable seal 123. Once connected, abutment 117 engages pin head 138, whereby plunger 137 retracts into lumen 130, compressing spring 136, which spring 136 then exerts a biasing force on pin element base 134. As a result, the pin portion 132 is urged towards the seal 123, thereby deforming the seal 123, thereby opening the compartment 118 to release gas into the lumen 130 and from there into the gas receiving space defined by the recess 115, from which gas can flow through the flow passage defined by the coupling element 150 (see below), thereby directing the pressurized carbon dioxide into the carbonation system, the operation of which will be described below.

A cup member 140 is held in the recess 115, and the cup member 140 is biased to extend axially by a spring 141 (see the retracted state in fig. 6). Prior to connecting the neck 120 of the can 104 to the connector 114, the cup member 140 is axially extended and retracted during connection to the position shown in fig. 6, where the seat 117 bears against the pin head 138. This arrangement ensures that a gradually increasing pressure is applied to the plunger 137. The interior of the cup member 140 is sealed by an O-ring 142 which bears against the wall of the recess 115 and a concentric sealing member 144 which provides a seal between the upper surface of the can neck and the bottom surface of the cup member 140. Once the deformable seal 123 is deformed, the pressurized gas is suddenly released from the compartment 118, which generates a momentarily loud noise (e.g., a noise like an explosion). The sealing element 144 also has a noise reduction function achieved by its elasticity.

The engagement between the connector 114 and the coupling member 150 is best shown in fig. 7, and the internal structure of the coupling member is best shown in fig. 8. The coupling element has a first block 152 with an integral externally threaded engagement member 154 protruding from one end of the coupling element 150, and a second block 156 with an integral externally threaded engagement member 158 at the other end of the coupling element 150 to engage a gas inlet valve (not shown) of the dispenser. Said block 152 comprises a substantially cylindrical extension 160, which extension 160 is fitted in a mating recess 162 in the block 156 in such a way as to allow relative axial rotation about the longitudinal axis of the coupling element, which longitudinal axis corresponds to the axis VII-VII mentioned above. The block 152 has a central bore 164, the central bore 164 being coaxial with and coupled to a central bore 165 formed in the block 156, thereby collectively defining a conduit providing a gas flow path. The end of the extension 160 includes an annular groove 166 that receives an O-ring 168 to ensure a gas seal to prevent leakage of pressurized gas from the bores 164 and 165.

The blocks 152 and 156 are held together by outer enclosing members 170 and 171 (which are constructed as identical parts). Member 172 is a sliding element between the body of device 100 and coupling element 150. The member 170 has an internal shoulder 178 that carries a skirt 180 of the abutment block 156. The circumferential ring 182 is partially received in a portion of the circumferential slot 174, the portion of the circumferential slot 174 being defined in the member 170 and being located within a portion of the circumferential groove 186 of the element 171. This arrangement ensures that blocks 152 and 156 are together while allowing axial rotation of block 152 relative to block 156, as shown in FIG. 8.

A circumferential ring 182 is formed integrally with the fixing ears 183, see fig. 5, to prevent axial movement of the coupling element onto the frame of the device 100.

Another embodiment of a coupling element 1150 is shown in fig. 9, the coupling element 1150 being coupled at one end to the connector 114 and at its other end to a coupling element 1151 of a gas inlet valve (not shown). The overall structure of coupling element 1150 is similar to that of similar components of element 150, and the reader is referred to the above description of element 150 for an understanding of the structure and function of these components. The main difference is the inclusion of a solenoid 1190 and a solenoid actuated relief valve 1192. the relief valve 1192 is located in block 152 separating the central bores 164A and 164B. The relief valve 1192 is received in the space 1200 and comprises a cup-shaped plunger 1194, the cup-shaped plunger 1194 typically made of a magnetic or ferromagnetic material having an end face 1196 bearing against the interior end face 1202 of the space 1200, the space 1200 having an intermediate O-ring 1204 to seal the passage 164B. The cup-shaped element is biased towards the end face 1202 by a spring 1198, the spring 1198 being held against the opposite inner end face 1206. It can be seen that the length of the cup-shaped plunger 1194 is shorter than the length of the space 1200, thereby leaving a small gap for the axial retraction of the plunger 1194 away from the end face 1202 by the solenoid 1190. Typically, when a carbonated beverage is desired, solenoid 1190 is activated, causing plunger 1194 to retract, thereby opening the gas coupling between channel 164A and channel 164B.

An embodiment of the carbonation system 208 is shown in FIGS. 10A, 10B, and 11. Fig. 10A and 10B differ primarily in that they include a cooling sleeve 211, which in this embodiment 211 is a tightly wound spiral tube that is wound around the sterilization chamber 210. However, when disinfecting, the water is also cooled. Otherwise the two embodiments are identical and are described together.

The apparatus 108 comprises a sterilisation chamber 210 to which water (typically chilled) is fed to the sterilisation chamber 210 via a sterilisation chamber inlet 212 fitted with a valve 242 and a sterilisation chamber outlet 216. The disinfection subsystem may include a disinfection module, such as a UV disinfection lamp, visible at its base 214, which is received in the disinfection chamber. The UV lamp is adapted to emit sterilizing UV rays into the water contained in the chamber 210 to remove bacterial contamination therein. In other embodiments, the UV disinfection subsystem may be separate from the carbonation subsystem, such as mounted in the flow path into and out of the carbonation subsystem, or may be absent entirely.

As can also be seen in FIG. 11, a carbonation chamber 218 is mounted at the bottom of the sterilization chamber 210. The outlet 216 of the sterilisation chamber is in fluid communication with the inlet 222 of the carbonation chamber via a conduit 220. The carbonation chamber 218 is also equipped with a liquid outlet 226, a gas release outlet 228 having a valve 248 (see FIG. 10B), a pressurized carbon dioxide inlet 224 connected to a gas valve 244, a safety overpressure relief valve 230 (which may be omitted in some embodiments), and a level sensor 232. After an amount of cleaning and/or sanitizing liquid has been fed into the carbonation chamber, an amount of pressurized carbon dioxide gas is directed into the chamber through the pressurized carbon dioxide inlet 224 to carbonate the liquid. After carbonation, carbonated liquid flows from the chamber through the liquid outlet 226 and is forced into the beverage dispensing outlet 110 (see fig. 1) under the pressure of the remaining carbon dioxide gas in the carbonation chamber as a result of the coupling between the pressurized carbon dioxide source 300 (typically the pressurized carbon dioxide gas canister 104) and the inlet 224 being opened by operation of the valve 244. After dispensing the carbonated liquid, the pressure of excess carbon dioxide remaining in the carbonation chamber may be released through a gas release outlet 228, which may also serve as a vent for the carbonation chamber. As further seen in FIG. 10A, the carbonation chamber is coupled to a heating element 202 on at least a portion of an exterior surface thereof, and the heating element 202 may take any form known in the art. The heating element 202 may be operated to avoid overcooling, such as icing, of the liquid in the carbonation chamber 218 due to expansion of the carbon dioxide gas.

To avoid the creation of an overpressure in the carbonation chamber, for example in the event of a malfunction, the chamber is fitted with a safety pressure valve 230.

The valve is typically controlled by a control unit (not shown) to allow for successive operating steps to enable the preparation of a carbonated beverage as desired, and in some embodiments also to select between dispensing a carbonated beverage and a non-carbonated beverage. These continuous operations include, for example, first introducing a quantity of cleaning liquid into the carbonation chamber through clean liquid inlet 222. The gas valve 244 may then be activated to allow pressurized carbon dioxide to enter the carbonation chamber. The gas valve 244 can then be closed and then by opening an outlet valve, for example at the dispensing outlet, the carbonated liquid is pushed out of the carbonation chamber by the residual pressure in the chamber, out the outlet 226 and into the dispensing outlet 110. Before the carbonation chamber is completely emptied of the carbonated liquid, a small amount of clean non-carbonated liquid is fed into the chamber to flush residual carbonated liquid from the walls of the carbonation chamber as this residue can bitter the taste of the next batch of liquid to be carbonated. Gas release valve 248 may then be opened to release excess gas pressure, thereby preparing the chamber for the next cycle.

As shown in fig. 12, the liquid in the carbonation chamber 218 fills the chamber to the level line 252 defined by the level sensor 232, leaving a headspace 254. To fill the carbonation chamber, valve 242 is opened and liquid entering chamber 210 moves an equal amount of liquid into carbonation chamber 218. Once the liquid level reaches the liquid level line 252, the valve 242 shuts off flow into the sterilization chamber and thus from the sterilization chamber into the carbonation chamber, through a closed loop control mechanism.

This headspace 254 provides some tolerance for a small increase in liquid volume during carbonation. Furthermore, a safety pressure valve 230 is positioned to open into the headspace, so that in case of overpressure, e.g. due to a fault, the overpressure can be released through said safety pressure valve.

In some embodiments, the user may be able to select between dispensing a carbonated beverage and dispensing a non-carbonated beverage, and in one embodiment, the need for a non-carbonated beverage may cause the cleaning liquid to pass through the carbonation chamber without opening the valve 244 (which would otherwise carbonate the liquid). Optionally, a bypass conduit to the carbonation chamber may be provided to allow the cleaning liquid to flow to the dispensing outlet without passing through the carbonation chamber.

FIG. 12 illustrates another embodiment of a carbonation chamber. In this embodiment, the carbonated liquid outlet 226 is located on a bottom wall 260 of the carbonation chamber 218. The bottom wall 260 slopes downwardly towards the outlet to better enable the remaining carbonated liquid to drain out of the chamber. This configuration effectively empties any carbonated liquid remaining in the carbonation chamber after it is dispensed.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 13, the sterilization chamber 310 and the carbonation chamber 320 are integrally formed as one liquid treatment device. In this device, the sterilization chamber has a first wide portion 312 and a second narrow portion 314 at the bottom and defining a lumen 316. The narrow portion 314 extends into and is thus surrounded by the carbonation chamber. Such an arrangement provides a compact spatial structure of the processing means in the beverage dispenser.

In this embodiment, the sterilization chamber has a sterilization UV light source 330 (only the outer envelope of which is shown) which is generally elongated tubular with its bottom end received in lumen 316. An outlet 318 of the sterilization chamber is formed at the bottom of the lumen and is in fluid communication with a liquid inlet 322 of the carbonation chamber via a flow line (not shown). In this way the outflowing liquid flows along the bottom of the UV light source and the arrangement of such flowing liquid very close to the UV light source provides good disinfection. It should be noted that in certain embodiments, the UV light sources are housed in UV light transmissive sleeves having a general outline that depicts these UV light sources 330.

Illustrative system components and fluid flow paths according to one embodiment of an overpressure relief aspect are shown in fig. 14. Water is fed into the disinfection chamber 404 through the liquid inlet 402. Sterilization is usually performed by UV rays. From the disinfection chamber, water enters the carbonation chamber 406 through the disinfection liquid outlet 408 via the inlet 410. If carbonation is not planned, the sanitized water is dispensed through the carbonation chamber without being carbonated, exiting the dispensing outlet 412 to the beverage outlet of the dispenser. If the carbonation operation is initiated, carbon dioxide is fed from the carbon dioxide tank 414 through the carbon dioxide inlet 414A into the carbonation chamber to carbonate a quantity of liquid in the carbonation chamber. Once carbonation is complete, valve 421 is opened to allow gas to flow through pressure regulator 422 to reduce the pressure in the chamber to the desired residual pressure defined by the pressure regulator. The gas released from the chamber may carry water droplets or mist which are separated from the gas by the cyclone modules 424. The water separated by the cyclone is directed to a liquid collector (not shown). After the desired pressure is achieved in the carbonation chamber, the carbonated liquid is dispensed from the outlet 412 by the residual carbon dioxide gas pressure and pushed towards the outlet of the dispenser.

Illustrative system components and water flow paths according to one embodiment of the circulation pump aspect are shown in fig. 15. Water is fed into the disinfection chamber 504 through the liquid inlet 502. After sterilization (e.g., by UV radiation), liquid is fed into the carbonation chamber 506 through the sterile liquid outlet 508 via the inlet 510. If carbonation is not intended, the sanitized liquid is dispensed through the carbonation chamber without being carbonated, out the dispensing outlet 512 and into the beverage outlet of the dispenser. If carbonation is initiated, carbon dioxide is fed from the carbon dioxide tank 514 through the carbon dioxide inlet 514A into the carbonation chamber to carbonate a quantity of liquid in the carbonation chamber. Once carbonation is complete, the carbonated liquid is dispensed through outlet 516 by virtue of residual carbon dioxide gas pressure and pushed toward the outlet of the dispenser. After the carbonation chamber is emptied, the vent 518 is opened to release excess carbon dioxide from the carbonation chamber and allow a new amount of liquid to be fed into the carbonation chamber. Optionally, a circulation pump 520 may be used during carbonation to reduce the pressure of the carbon dioxide used to achieve the desired level of carbonation. The circulation pump 520 may be operated while the liquid is saturated with carbonic acid, as the liquid circulates between the circulation outlet 520A and the circulation inlet 520B. Once carbonation is complete, operation of the pump 520 is stopped, carbonated liquid is pushed towards the dispensing outlet by the excess pressure of carbon dioxide in the carbonation chamber, the vent 518 is opened, and the system is operable to begin a new cycle of operation.

Claims (53)

1. A beverage dispensing apparatus, characterized in that the beverage dispensing apparatus comprises:

a liquid flow system defining a liquid flow path between an aqueous liquid source and a beverage dispensing outlet;

a liquid carbonation subsystem for carbonating a liquid with carbon dioxide and including a carbonation chamber coupled to a liquid flow system for receiving a quantity of liquid from the source of aqueous liquid and connected to a source of carbon dioxide to carbonate the quantity of liquid when the quantity of liquid is in the carbonation chamber;

a beverage dispensing outlet coupled to the carbonation chamber; and

a pressure reduction facility operable to reduce the pressure of carbon dioxide in the carbonation chamber after the water in the carbonation chamber is carbonated and before dispensing the carbonated water.

2. The beverage dispensing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the carbonated beverage is dispensed from the beverage dispensing outlet by the pressure of carbon dioxide in the carbonation chamber.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the pressure reducing means comprises a pressure reducing regulator in gaseous communication with the carbonation chamber.

4. A system according to claim 3, wherein the pressure reduction means comprises a module for separating the released gas from droplets carried by the released gas.

5. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the device comprises a dispensing outlet for dispensing an unfilled beverage and a carbonated beverage.

6. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the device comprises a control system which allows dispensing of a quantity of carbonated beverage or a quantity of non-carbonated beverage.

7. A device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the device comprises a chamber bypass conduit with an associated water flow control element for feeding liquid that is not carbonated directly from said aqueous liquid source to the dispensing outlet as required.

8. The device of claim 6, wherein when an unfulfilled beverage is desired, the liquid flows through the carbonation chamber without activating the carbonation subsystem.

9. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the apparatus includes a liquid purification subsystem disposed in the liquid flow system for removing contaminants from the liquid and feeding clean liquid to the carbonation chamber.

10. The apparatus of any of the preceding claims, wherein the liquid purification subsystem comprises at least one of a filtration unit or a disinfection subsystem for filtering and/or disinfecting the liquid prior to introducing the liquid into the carbonation chamber.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the disinfection subsystem comprises a disinfection chamber coupled to the carbonation chamber, and wherein each of the disinfection chamber and the carbonation chamber comprises a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet, the liquid outlet of the disinfection chamber being connected to the liquid inlet of the carbonation chamber.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the sterilization chamber and the carbonation chamber are attached to each other, wherein an upper surface of the carbonation chamber is connected to a bottom surface of the sterilization chamber.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the sterilization chamber and the carbonation chamber are integrally formed.

14. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the liquid outlet is located at a bottom wall of the carbonation chamber, said bottom wall sloping downwardly towards said liquid outlet.

15. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the source of carbon dioxide is a pressurised carbon dioxide tank.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the canister is connected to the system by a connector configured to rotate between a use state and an attached/detached state of the canister.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the connector is connected to a coupling member that enables rotational movement of one end thereof coupled to the connector relative to the other end thereof fixed to the system.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the connector and the coupling member together define a passageway for gas to flow from the tank to the carbon dioxide inlet.

19. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the apparatus operates in an operating cycle comprising:

(a) introducing a quantity of liquid into the carbonation chamber through a clean liquid inlet;

(b) introducing a certain amount of carbon dioxide into the carbonation chamber for carbonating the liquid in the carbonation chamber;

(c) activating a pressure reduction facility to reduce the gas pressure in the carbonation chamber to a predetermined residual pressure; and

(d) a quantity of carbonated beverage is dispensed.

20. The device of claim 19, wherein the amount of carbonated beverage dispensed is substantially equal to the amount of liquid contained in the chamber.

21. The apparatus of claim 18 or 19, wherein said dispensing is at least partially facilitated by a residual gas pressure in a carbonation chamber after said pressure reduction.

22. The system of any one of claims 18-20, wherein the system comprises:

(d) releasing gas pressure from the carbonation chamber.

23. A water dispensing apparatus, characterized in that it comprises:

a liquid flow system defining a liquid flow path between a liquid source and a beverage dispensing outlet;

a carbonation subsystem for charging carbon dioxide into the liquid and including a carbonation chamber coupled to the liquid flow system for receiving a quantity of liquid from the liquid source and connected to a pressurized carbon dioxide source for carbonating the quantity of liquid when the quantity of liquid is in the carbonation chamber and connected to a circulation pump for circulating water between a circulation outlet and a circulation inlet; and

a beverage dispensing outlet coupled to the carbonation chamber.

24. The device of claim 23, wherein the device allows dispensing of a quantity of carbonated beverage or a quantity of uncarbonated beverage.

25. A device as claimed in claim 24, wherein the device includes a chamber bypass conduit with suitable water flow control elements to feed the non-carbonated beverage to the dispensing outlet as required.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein when an unfulfilled beverage is desired, the liquid flows through the carbonation chamber without activating the carbonation subsystem.

27. The apparatus of any one of claims 23-26, wherein the carbonation chamber comprises a gas release valve.

28. The apparatus of any one of claims 23-27, wherein the carbonation chamber comprises a relief pressure valve.

29. The apparatus of any one of claims 23-28, wherein the carbonation chamber comprises a level sensor.

30. The apparatus of any one of claims 23-29, wherein the amount of pressurized carbon dioxide is adjustable.

31. A device according to any one of claims 23 to 30, wherein one or both of (i) the liquid inlet to the carbonation chamber and (ii) the liquid outlet from the carbonation chamber is fitted with a valve.

32. The apparatus of any one of claims 23-31, wherein the apparatus comprises a liquid purification subsystem.

33. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the liquid purification subsystem comprises at least one of a liquid filtration unit and a liquid disinfection unit to filter and/or disinfect the liquid prior to introducing the liquid into the carbonation chamber.

34. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the disinfection unit comprises a disinfection chamber coupled to the carbonation chamber, and wherein each of the disinfection chamber and the carbonation chamber comprises a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet, the liquid outlet of the disinfection chamber being connected to the liquid inlet of the carbonation chamber.

35. The device of claim 34, wherein the carbonation chamber and the sterilization chamber are attached to each other, wherein an upper surface of the carbonation chamber is connected to a bottom surface of the sterilization chamber.

36. The apparatus of any one of claims 23 to 35, wherein the liquid outlet is located at a bottom wall of the carbonation chamber, the bottom wall sloping downwardly towards the water outlet.

37. An apparatus according to any one of claims 22 to 35, wherein the source of carbon dioxide is a pressurised carbon dioxide canister.

38. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the canister is connected to the system by a connector configured to rotate between a use state and an attached/detached state of the canister.

39. The device of claim 38, wherein the connector is connected to a coupling member that enables rotational movement of one end thereof coupled to the connector relative to the other end thereof fixed to the system.

40. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein the connector and the coupling member together define a passageway for gas to flow from the tank to the carbon dioxide inlet.

41. The apparatus of any one of claims 23-40, wherein the apparatus operates in an operating cycle comprising:

(a) introducing a quantity of liquid into the carbonation chamber through the liquid inlet;

(b) carbonating the liquid contained in the carbonation chamber and operating the circulation pump to circulate the liquid between the circulation outlet and the circulation inlet; and

(c) a quantity of carbonated beverage is dispensed while a new quantity of liquid that is not carbonated is introduced into the carbonation chamber.

42. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the carbonated water in step (c) is forced towards the water dispensing outlet by the gas pressure in the carbonation chamber.

43. The apparatus of claim 41 or 42, wherein the apparatus comprises:

(d) releasing gas pressure from the carbonation chamber.

44. The device of claim 43, wherein gas is released after said dispensing.

45. The apparatus of any one of claims 42-45, wherein the operational cycle comprises:

(i) opening a liquid inlet valve for controlling liquid flow through the liquid inlet to feed liquid to the carbonation chamber,

(ii) carbonating the liquid by: (1) opening a gas valve for introducing a quantity of pressurized carbon dioxide into the carbonation chamber to carbonate the liquid in the carbonation chamber and activating the circulation pump to circulate the liquid during carbonation of the liquid (2);

(iii) stopping the circulation pump when the desired carbonation level is reached, and

(iv) opening a liquid outlet valve for controlling the flow of liquid to the water dispensing outlet, thereby allowing gas pressure in the carbonation chamber to push carbonated water towards the beverage dispensing outlet.

46. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the operational cycle comprises:

(iv) the gas release valve is opened to release gas pressure from the carbonation chamber.

47. A method for providing a carbonated beverage, the method comprising:

(a) introducing a quantity of liquid into the carbonation chamber;

(b) introducing a quantity of carbon dioxide into the carbonation chamber;

(c) activating a pressure reduction override to reduce the gas pressure in the carbonation chamber to a predetermined pressure; and

(d) a quantity of carbonated beverage is dispensed.

48. The method of claim 47, wherein said dispensing is facilitated by gas pressure in said carbonation chamber.

49. A method for providing a carbonated beverage, comprising:

(a) introducing a quantity of liquid into the carbonation chamber;

(b) introducing pressurized carbon dioxide into the carbonation chamber while circulating liquid with the introduction of pressurized carbon dioxide;

(c) allowing the carbonated liquid to be pushed from the carbonation chamber to the beverage dispensing outlet by the pressure of the carbon dioxide in the chamber; and

(d) carbon dioxide pressure is released from the carbonation chamber.

50. The method of claim 49, wherein one or both of steps (a) and (c) comprises determining a level of liquid in the carbonation chamber.

51. The method of claim 49 or 50, wherein the amount of said pressurized carbon dioxide introduced into the carbonation chamber is adjustable.

52. A method as claimed in any one of claims 49 to 51, wherein, in response to a demand for a beverage which is not carbonated, the method comprises introducing liquid into the carbonation chamber and dispensing the liquid from the chamber without introducing pressurised carbon dioxide into the carbonation chamber.

53. A method as claimed in any of claims 49 to 51 wherein, in response to a demand for an unfulfilled beverage, liquid is directed to a chamber bypass conduit having a suitable liquid flow control element to feed the unfulfilled beverage to the beverage dispensing outlet.