GB2168905A - Liquid carbonating and dispensing device - Google Patents

Abstract

The device comprises a bottle-shaped vessel (32) having a necked-in opening (30); a hollow cylinder (42) freely fits within said necked opening (30) and extends into said vessel to define an air space between said cylinder (42) and the interior surface of said vessel (32). A cap (12) removably securable to said vessel necked-in opening comprises a first chamber (18) to house a carbon dioxide capsule (52), a second chamber (64) in communication with said first chamber (18) and the vessel (32), and a third chamber housing a valve means (92) in communication with said second chamber and with a dispensing nozzle (26). The valve means (92) open and close communication between said dispensing nozzle (26) and said second chamber 64, and means are provided to release the gas from said carbon dioxide capsule, whereby in the absence of liquid in the vessel carbon dioxide gas will flow into said vessel 32 or out of said dispensing nozzle (26) depending on the position of said valve means (92). Cooling inserts (46) may be placed around the vessel (32). In an other embodiment (Figure 5) these are removable from around the base of the vessel. <IMAGE>

Description

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GB 2 168 905 A

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SPECIFICATION

Method and apparatus for making a carbonated beverage

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Background

This invention relates to improvements in domestic dispensers of carbonated beverages which are easily transportable from place to place and are also 10 suitable for use away from home such as on trips, picnics or vacation.

Based on figures published in Beverage, the consumption of carbonated beverages has increased from approximately 12 ounces per capita in 1849 15 to over 5000 ounces per capita in 1981. So-called soft drinks now enjoy approximately 40% of the beverage market compared with the next most popular beverage, coffee, which has about a thirty percent share of the market. All other beverages, 20 including milk, beer, wine, distilled spirits, juices, and bottled water, account for the remaining thirty percent of the market.

As a consequence, there is a trend to package soft drinks in ever increasingly larger containers. 25 At the present time, two-liter plastic bottles are very popular. However, if the contents are not consumed over a relatively short period of time, the carbonation fairly quickly dissipates, resulting in a flat, unappetizing tasting beverage. Further, han-30 dling, transportation, storing and disposal of two-liter bottles is awkward and burdensome. The only present viable alternative for a quality beverage is a smaller container, such as 10-ounce and 12-ounce six-packs. However, these sizes of con-35 tainers are relatively more expensive and otherwise present the same problems as the two-liter bottles.

The present invention has been made from a consideration of the aforementioned disadvantages 40 of presently available soft drink containers, and provides a liquid carbonating and dispensing mechanism comprising a bottle-shaped vessel having a necked-in opening; a hollow cylinder freely fitted within said necked opening and extending 45 into said vessel to define an air space between said cylinder and the interior surface of said vessel, a cap removably securable to said vessel necked-in opening, a first chamber in said cap to house a carbon dioxide capsule, a second chamber in said 50 cap in communication with said first chamber, a third chamber in said cap in communication with said second chamber, a dispensing nozzle in said cap in communication with said third chamber;

said vessel being in communication with said sec-55 ond chamber; valve means in said third chamber adapted to open and to close communication between said dispensing nozzle and said third chamber; and means to release the gas from said carbon dioxide capsule, whereby carbon dioxide 60 gas will flow into said vessel or out of said dispensing nozzle depending on the position of said valve means.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accom-65 panying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an elevational view in section of one preferred embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary, detailed view in section of the carbon dioxide capsule charging valve shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary, detailed view of the pressure indicator shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary, detailed view, partially in section, of the dispensing valve shown in Figure 1;

Figure 5 is an elevational view similar to Figure 1, showing a second embodiment of the invention;

Figure 6 is a top plan view of the embodiment shown in Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken along the line 7-7 in Figure 6;

Figure 8 is an enlarged, fragmentary, detailed view in section of the carbon dioxide capsule charging valve shown in Figure 5; and

Figure 9 is a bottom view on a reduced scale of the embodiment of Figure 5.

Referring to the drawings in greater detail, and in particular to Figure 1, there is shown in elevational full section a preferred embodiment of the assembled invention 10 comprising a top 12 and a mixing and storing container 14. The top includes a carrying handle 16, a carbon dioxide capsule chamber 18, a charging check valve assembly 20, a pressure indicator 22, a dispensing valve 24, and a dispensing nozzle 26. An internally threaded collar 28 extends downwardly from the underside of the top 12 to threadedly connect with an externally threaded neck portion 30 projecting upwardly from an internal vessel 32. An O-ring 29 provides a pressure tight seal between collar 28 and neck 30. Collar 28 has a horizontal cap 34 containing a port 36 about which a depending collar 38 is concentrically positioned to receive the upper end of a carbon dioxide charging and dispensing tube 40. A hollow cylinder 42 is sized to fit snugly within the neck 30 of vessel 32. A bead 43 at the upper end of cylinder 42 is provided to rest on the upper rim of the neck 30 to position the cylinder 42 concentrically vertically within the vessel 32. The vessel 32 is bot-tle-shaped to provide a concentric air space between the vessel 32 and the cylinder 42. The walls and bottoms of the container 14 and the vessel 32 are also concentrically spaced apart to provide space for insulation 44. At the upper portion of the container additional space is provided between the insulation 44 and the vessel 32 for a plurality of vessel chilling cartridges 46. The cartridges have tabs 48 for ease of insertion and removal.

Carbon dioxide capsule chamber 18 is threaded on its open end to receive threaded cap 50 thereon. By inserting a capsule 52 in chamber 18 and threading cap 50 onto the open end of chamber 18, a necked end 54 of capsule 52 is sealed by O-ring 56 (Figure 2) and pierced by needle 58. O-ring 56 is carried in an internal groove 60 machined in a threaded adapter 62. Adapter 62 is threaded into a charging valve chamber 64. The right end of adapter 62 is counterbored to form a chamber 63 for receiving the neck 54 of capsule 52 in sealing contact with O-ring 56. The left side of

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adapter 62 is counterbored and threaded to form a chamber or bore 65 for receiving a threaded sleeve 66 containing a spring 68 and ball 70. The ball is urged by spring 68 against a ball seat 72 formed in 5 a base block 74 of needle 58. A partition 76 divides chambers 63 and 65, which are joined by a hole 78 to permit needle 58 to enter chamber 63. Blow-by between chambers 63 and 65 is prevented by 0-ring 80 positioned concentrically over needle 58 10 and between base block 74 and partition 76. When the neck 54 of a carbon dioxide cartridge is pierced by needle 58, the pressure of the gas released from capsule 52 forces ball 70 away from its seat 72 by compressing spring 68, carbon dioxide gas is 15 thus permitted to pass through port 36 into charging and dispensing tube 40 and thence into the lower end of vessel 32.

Reference is now made to Figure 3, wherein is shown the pressure indicator 22. This device com-20 prises an adapter sleeve 80 threadedly secured into a boss 23 of cap 12 to contain a plunger 82 urged downwardly by spring 84. An O-ring 86 provides a seal between plunger 82 and the internal wall 88 of sleeve 80. When the neck 54 of the carbon dioxide 25 capsule 52 is pierced, the escaping gas forces the plunger 82 upwardly, indicating to the user that the cartridge was properly charged and that it was properly pierced to release its charged carbon dioxide into the vessel 32.

30 Reference is now made to Figure 4, showing the dispensing valve mechanism 24. After the liquid in the vessel 32 has been charged, it may be selectively dispensed in measured amounts by pushing down on plunger cap 90 which depresses plunger 35 92. Plunger 92 is housed in a threaded adapter sleeve 94 threadedly secured in upstanding threaded boss 96 of cap 12. An O-ring 98 provides a pressure seal between plunger 92 and adapter sleeve 94. An O-ring 100 seals between the upper 40 portions of adapter sleeve 94 and boss 96. An O-ring 102 seals the lower portions of adapter sleeve 94 and a well wall 104 integrally formed in cap 12. A sealing flange 106 is threadedly secured to the lower end of plunger 92 to contain O-ring 108 45 which makes sealing contact between the lower end of plunger 92 and the lower periphery 110 of adapter sleeve 94. O-ring 108 is urged upwardly in sealing engagement with adapter sleeve periphery 110 by spring 112. When plunger 92 is depressed, 50 O-ring 108 is lowered out of sealing engagement with periphery 110, thereby placing charging valve changer port 114 in communication with well port 116 and orifice 118 {Figure 1) of dispensing nozzle 26.

55 Referring to Figures 5-8, a second embodiment of a domestic beverage maker useful in the present invention is illustrated. For purposes of convenience, structural aspects of this embodiment of beverage maker which substantially corresponds 60 with those described above in respect to the first embodiment of beverage maker are not discussed in detail hereafter.

With particular reference to Figures 5 and 6,

there is shown a soft drink making device 200, in-65 eluding a top 202 and a mixing and storage container 204. The top includes a carrying handle 206 having a selector member 208 pivotally mounted thereto.

Referring to Figures 6 and 7, the carrying handle 206 is an integrally formed part of the top 202 and the selector member 208 is pivotally mounted to the handle by a pin 209. The selector member 208 is shown in solid-line in its storage position within an upwardly opening recess 206a in the handle 206, and the selector is shown in phantom outline in its operating position projecting upwardly from the handle.

The selector member 208 includes a bulbous enlargement at the distal end 208a thereof remote from the pin 209. In the storage position, the selector member supplements the cross-sectional configuration and apparent bulk of the handle 206 to provide a comfortably sturdy-feeling grip for the user. Further, the selector member is dimensioned to extend slightly rearwardly from the groove 206a in the handle 206. The selector member also includes an aperture or opening 211 and a clearance bend 213.

The remaining major elements of the top 202 include a carbon dioxide capsule chamber 210, a charging check valve assembly 212, a pressure indicator 214, a dispensing valve 216, and a dispensing nozzle 218.

An internally threaded collar 220 extends downwardly from the top 202 for threaded connection with an externally threaded neck portion 222 projecting upwardly from an internal vessel 224. The collar 220 includes a horizontal cap or end wall 226 containing a port 228 which communicates with the upper end of a carbon dioxide charging and dispensing tube 230. A hollow cylinder 232 extends downwardly into the neck 222 of the vessel 224.

The vessel 224 is shaped to provide a concentric air space between the vessel and the hollow cylinder 232. Insulation 234 is provided intermediate the adjeent walls of the vessel 224 and the container 204. Adjacent the lower portion of the container 204, a plurality of pockets or compartments 235 (only one being shown) are provided between the insulation 234 and the vessel 224 for receiving vessel chilling cartridges 236.

Referring to Figures 5 and 9, a rotatable closure 238 is provided at the bottom of the mixing and storage container 204 for allowing insertion of cartridges 236 into the compartments 235. The closure 238 includes a central rib handle 239 and a pair of openings 238a and 238b. The closure 238 is rotatable to a cartridge loading and unloading position with the openings 238a and 238b being in registry with the open ends of the compartments 235. As shown in Figure 5, an upper surface of the closure 238 retains the loaded cartridges 236 in the compartments 235 when the closure 238 is moved to the illustrated closed position.

The carbon dioxide capsule chamber 210 is closed by means of a threaded cap 240, as most clearly shown in Figures 5 and 8. A carbon dioxide capsule 242 is inserted into the chamber 210 and an elastomeric valve seal member 244 forms a seal with the necked end of the capsule 242 as the cap70

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sule is pierced by needle 246. The needle 246 is mounted within a threaded adapter or valve body 248 which extends into a charging valve chamber 250 formed in the top 202.

5 Referring to Figure 8, the adapter 248 includes an internal bore 252 which communicates with the passage of the needle 246 and terminates at an exhaust port 254. The opening of the exhaust port 254 into the chamber 250 is opened and closed by 10 an elastomeric valve member 256. The member 256 has an annular configuration, and it is received within a groove 258 in the adapter 248. The member 256 is normally tensioned across the opening of the exhaust port 254 to close the port. As dis-15 cussed below in greater detail, the carbon dioxide pressure within a connected capsule will extend the member 256 to allow the carbon dioxide charge of the capsule to pass into the chamber 250.

20 The pressure indicator 214 is identical in structure and operation with the indicator 22 described above. The indicator 214 is visible through the aperture 211 and aligned opening 215 in the handle 206 when viewed from the top of the device as 25 shown in Figure 6.

The dispensing valve 216 is similar in structure and operation with the dispensing valve 24 described above. However, the structure and operation of the valve 216 are briefly described 30 hereinafter for purposes of further clarifying the subsequent description of the operation of the selector member 208.

The dispensing valve 216 is operated by depressing an external plunger cap or button 260, 35 which in turn displaces the plunger 262. The plunger 262 is mounted within a threaded sleeve adapter 264, and its displacement is resisted by a spring 266 which serves to normally bias the valve 216 to a closed position. Upon depression of the 40 plunger button 260 and plunger 262, a charging valve chamber port 268, which communicates with the chamber 250, is placed in communication with a well port 270 and orifice 272 of the dispensing nozzle 218.

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Operation of the mechanism

Reference is made to Figure 1. The container cap 12 is unscrewed from container neck 30. With the filler cylinder 42 in position, a pre-measured 50 amount of syrup is poured down this cylinder. Pre-chilled water is then poured down the cylinder, and as the water fills in the lower end of the vessel 32, air is compressed between the inner wall of the vessel 32 and the outer wall of the cylinder 42. 55 When the level of the water reaches the lower edge 120 of cylinder 42, the air is trapped between the vessel 32 and cylinder 42. The user continues to add water until the cylinder 42 is filled, further compressing the air between vessel 32 and cylin-60 der 42. Pre-frozen cartridges 46 are then inserted in the spaces provided between the container insulation 44 and the outer wall of vessel 32. Cap 12 is then replaced on the vessel neck 30. A carbon dioxide capsule 52 is inserted in chamber 18 and 65 cap 50 is screwed on to urge the capsule into piercing contact with needle 58 (Figure 2). Carbon dioxide gas passes down tube 40 to carbonate the mix of syrup and chilled water in vessel 32. The vessel is now charged. This is indicated by the pressure indicator 22, which has been forced into its up position by the pressure of the carbon dioxide charge. The carbonated beverage is now ready for consumption. Plunger cap 90 (Figure 1) is depressed to open nozzle orifice 118 to the interior of vessel 32. The pressure in vessel 32 forces the beverage up tube 40, through chamber 64, port 114, around plunger valve 92, through port 116, and finally through orifice 118 of nozzle 26 into a drinking cup. Once a desired amount of beverage has been dispensed, plunger cap 90 is released, the system re-seals, and the carbonation of the beverage is maintained.

The embodiment of Figures 5-8 operates in substantially the same manner as described above with respect to the first embodiment. Thus, the common features of the filling and dispensing operations with respect to the second embodiment are not described herein. However, the further advantages in the filling and dispensing operations in accordance with the second embodiment are discussed below.

The cartridges 236 are bottom loaded into the device by simply rotating the closure 238 to place the openings 238a and 238b into registry with the compartments 235. After the cartridges have been inserted into the compartments, the closure is rotated out of registry and the cartridges are retained in the compartments by the adjacent upper surface of the closure 238.

As indicated above, the charging valve assembly 212 of the second embodiment includes an elastomeric valve member 256 which provides the check valve function. More particularly, the insertion of the capsule 242 and puncture thereof with needle 246 results in the filling and pressurization with carbon dioxide of the bore 252 and exhaust port 254. The pressure of the carbon dioxide is sufficient to displace the elastomeric member 256 from its sealing position across the opening of the port 254. Accordingly, the charge of carbon dioxide enters the charging valve chamber 250 and passes downwardly through the tube 230 for purposes of carbonating and pressurizing the liquid charge within the vessel 224. The member 256 is arranged to return to its normally sealed position across the opening of the port 254 due to its resiliency once the carbon dioxide charge of the capsule 242 has been received within the device 200.

For purposes of dispensing soft drink from the device 200, the plunger cap or button 260 may be depressed, as in the device of the first embodiment. Alternatively, it may be more convenient to move the selector member 208 to its operating position engaging the plunger cap 260, as shown in phantom outline in Figure 5. For example, a user may simply grasp the distal end 208a and pivot the selector 208 about the pin 209. As shown in Figure 5, the adjacent edge of the plunger cap 260 is received within the opening 211 and the clearance bend 213 in order to reduce the lateral loading of

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the cap 260 and the plunger 262 as the selector member 208 is pivoted about the pin 209 and used as a lever to operate the plunger cap 260.

In its operating position, the selector 208 projects 5 from the carrying handle 206 in an angular orientation adjacent to and above the dispensing nozzle 218. Thus, the selector and dispensing nozzle are both adjacent to a user standing at the front of the device, i.e., to the left of the device as shown in 10 Figure 5. This is particularly advantageous when the device is positioned on a countertop and/or below cabinets so as to make it inconvenient to directly operate the plunger cap 260 and manipulate the glass or vessel to be filled with soft drink. 15 The preferred beverage capacity of the vessel is about two liters, which is comparable to the two-liter plastic soft drink bottles now available in beverage stores. However, a special six-pack of pre-measured syrup, to be made available and distrib-20 uted by the inventor, sufficient to make twelve liters of beverage, is no more difficult to transport than a single two-liter bottle of commercially bottled beverage. Simultaneously, storage and disposal requirements are reduced to one-sixth of the 25 space required for a comparable number of two-liter bottles. At present costs, soft drinks can be prepared in the subject invention for approximately one cent per ounce, compared to about three to four cents per ounce for commercially bottled soft 30 drinks.

Thus, it can be seen that the present invention can provide a domestic, hand-operable, soft drink making device in which soft drinks of any flavor may be mixed, carbonated, chilled, stored, and dis-35 pensed at will over a long period of time without loss of flavor or carbonization, and at a fraction of the cost of similar commercially packed soft drinks. Moreover, the soft drink making device is of a construction such that the average person can learn to 40 use it by following a few easily understood instructions, it is easily assembled and disassembled for mixing or cleaning puposes, and it can be manufactured at a cost such that with average use, the purchase price of the device can be recovered in a 45 short period of time.

ber; and means to release the gas from said carbon dioxide capsule, whereby carbon dioxide gas will flow into said vessel or out of said dispensing nozzle depending on the position of said valve 70 means.

2. The device of Claim 1, including a tube connecting said second chamber to the bottom portion of said vessel and a liquid in said vessel filled to the lower end of said cylinder to trap and com-

75 press air between said cylinder and the interior surface of said vessel, whereby said carbon dioxide gas will enter said vessel and carbonate said liquid when said third chamber valve is in the closed position, and whereby said carbonated liq-80 uid will be forced up said tube and out of said dispensing nozzle when said valve is in the open position.

3. The device of Claim 1, including an outer container enclosing said vessel, insulation between

85 said outer container and said vessel, a pocket between said insulation and said vessel, and a cartridge containing a freezable substance removably receivable within said pocket.

4. The device of Claim 3, wherein said pocket is 90 located adjacent a lower portion of said vessel and a rotatable member is provided for opening and closing said pocket.

5. The device of Claim 1, including external control means for a user of the device to operate

95 said valve means between said open and closed positions, said control means including a hand-manipulable selector member movable to an operating position for engaging said control means.

6. The device of Claim 1, wherein said means 100 to release the gas include needle means to puncture said capsule and check valve means to allow carbon dioxode flow out of said capsule and restrict reverse flow into said capsule, said check valve means including an exhaust port having an

105 opening normally closed by an elastomeric member tensioned against said opening.

Printed in the UK for HMSO, D8818935, 5/86,7102.

Published by The Patent Office, 25 Southampton Buildings, London,

WC2A 1AY, from which copies may be obtained.

Claims (1)

1. A liquid carbonating and dispensing mecha-50 nism comprising a bottle-shaped vessel having a necked-in opening; a hollow cylinder freely fitted within said necked opening and extending into said vessel to define an air space between said cylinder and the interior surface of said vessel, a cap 55 removably securable to said vessel necked-in opening, a first chamber in said cap to house a carbon dioxide capsule, a second chamber in said cap in communication with said first chamber, a third chamber in said cap in communication with 60 said second chamber, a dispensing nozzle in said cap in communication with said third chamber;

said vessel being in communication with said second chamber; valve means in said third chamber adapted to open and to close communication be-65 tween said dispensing nozzle and said third cham-