LU85158A1 - PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING CARBONATED BEVERAGES - Google Patents

Description

i "Process and apparatus for manufacturing carbonated drinks"

The present invention relates to improvements to domestic dispensers of carbonated drinks which are easily transportable from one place to another and which can also be used outside the home, for example during trips, picnics. picnics or vacations.

Based on figures published in Beverage, consumption of carbonated drinks rose from approximately 0.35 1 per capita in 1849 to more than 147 1 per capita in 1981. What the soft drinks or lemonades are called 10 currently take approximately 40% of the beverage market compared to the next most popular beverage, coffee, which accounts for about 30% of the market. All other beverages, including milk, beer, wine, distilled spirits, juice and bottled water, make up the remaining 30% of the market.

Consequently, there is a tendency to put non-alcoholic drinks or lemonades in ever larger containers. Currently, two-liter plastic bottles are very popular. However, if the content is not consumed over a relatively short period of time, the carbonata-20 dissipates fairly quickly, leading to an unappetizing, flat drink. In addition, the handling, transportation, storage and distribution of two-liter bottles are difficult and inconvenient. The only currently viable alternative for a quality drink is a small container, such as the 25 cartons or packages of six containers with a capacity of 30 cl and 36 cl. However, these container dimensions are relatively // * 4 2 more expensive and moreover present the same problems as two-liter bottles.

An important object of the present invention is therefore to overcome the foregoing and other disadvantages of currently available lemonade containers by providing a do-it-yourself type lemonade manufacturing device in which lemonades of any kind taste can be mixed, carbonated, cooled, stored and delivered as desired over an extended period of time without loss of taste or charring.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for making lemonades in which carbonated beverages can be prepared at home for a fraction of the cost of similar commercially available lemonades.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide premeasured containers of flavoring syrups whose content can be mixed with a measure of water previously determined in the container of the invention so as to obtain lemonades of a quality uniformly high.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device 20 for manufacturing lemonades that the man in the street can learn to use by following a few instructions that are easy to understand.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device for manufacturing lemonades so economical that with an average degree of use, the purchase price of the device can be recovered in a short period of time.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a device for manufacturing lemonades made up of two parts, comprising a loading and distribution end and a mixing, cooling and storage container, which can be easily mounted. and disassembled for mixing or cleaning.

Another object of the invention is to provide a compartment with a carbon dioxide capsule under pressure that is easily accessible in the upper part of the device, the automatic load closure of which 3.

“Tick the container with carbon dioxide gas.

Another important object of the invention is to provide simple, simple maintenance loading, mixing and dispensing mechanisms interconnected by internal passages to bring the flow of liquid therein under the control of valve means. simple.

- Yet another important object of the invention is to provide a device designed in an efficient, economical manner which, from the point of view of construction, mounting, operation and aesthetics, is ideally suited for Domestic use.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device comprising distribution controls which can be used manually which are suitable for the user.

Other details and particularities of the invention will emerge from the description below, given by way of nonlimiting example and with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an elevational and sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary, enlarged, sectional detail view of the carbon dioxide capsule loading valve shown in Figure 1.

FIG. 3 is a detailed, fragmentary, enlarged view of the pressure indicator represented in FIG. 1.

Figure k is a detailed, fragmentary, agran-die 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 of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken along lines 7-7 of Figure 6.

FIG. 8 is a detailed, fragmentary, enlarged view, // 4 j t die and in section of the carbon dioxide capsule loading valve of FIG. 5.

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

5 Referring to the drawings which give more details, and in particular to FIG. 1, there is shown in elevation and in section a preferred embodiment of the invention, mounted 10 comprising a head or upper part 12 and a mixing and storage container 14. The head includes a support handle 10 16, a carbon dioxide capsule chamber 18, a loading check valve assembly 20, a pressure indicator 22, a dispensing valve 24 and a dispensing nozzle 26. An internally threaded collar 28 extends downward from the underside of the head 12 to provide a threaded connection 15 with an externally threaded neck portion 30 projecting upward from an inner container 32. An O-ring 29 constitutes a seal between the collar 28 and the collar 30. The collar 28 has a horizontal plug 3k containing an orifice 36 around which a dependent collar 38 is dis laid concentrically 20 to receive the upper end of a carbon monoxide loading and distribution tube kO. A hollow cylinder k2 is dimensioned so as to fit well in the neck of the container 32. A pearl k3 at the upper end of the cylinder 42 is arranged on the upper rim of the neck 30 to position the cylinder k2 in a concentrically and vertically in the container 32. The container 32 has the shape of a bottle so as to create a concentric air space between the latter and the cylinder 42. The walls and the bottoms of the container 14 and of the container 32 are also spaced concentrically to create an insulating space 44. At the top of the container 14, 30 is provided an additional space between the insulation 44 and the container 32 for a series of container cooling cartridges 46. The cartridges have tabs 48 for ease of insertion and removal.

i 5

The carbon dioxide capsule chamber 1E is threaded at its open end to receive a threaded plug 50 therein. By inserting a capsule 52 in the chamber 18 and screwing the plug. 50 on the open end of the chamber 18, a neck-shaped end 5k 5k of the capsule 52 is closed by an O-ring 56 (FIG. 2) and pierced by a needle 58. The O-ring 56 is * supported in a inner groove 60 machined in a threaded fitting 62. The fitting 62 is screwed into a loading valve chamber 6k. The right end of the connector 62 is counterbored to form a chamber 63 intended to receive the neck 5k of the capsule 52 in sealing contact with the O-ring 56. The left side of the connector 62 is counterbored and threaded to form a chamber or bore 65 intended to receive a threaded sleeve 66 containing a spring 68 and a ball 70. The ball is pushed by the spring 68 against a ball seat 72 formed in a base block 7k of the needle 58.

A wall 76 divides the chambers 63 and 65, which are connected by an opening 78 to allow the needle 58 to enter the chamber 63. Any leakage between the chambers 63 and 65 is prevented by an O-ring 80 placed concentrically on the needle 58 and between the base block 7k and the partition 76. When the neck 5k of a carbon dioxide cartridge is pierced by the needle 58, the pressure of the gas released from the capsule 52 moves the ball 70 away from its seat 72 by compressing the spring 68, the carbon dioxide gas thus being able to pass through the orifice 36 in the loading and distribution tube kO and subsequently in the lower end of the container 32.

Referring now to Figure 3, where there is shown the pressure indicator 22. This device comprises a connecting sleeve 80 screwed into a bulge 23 of the plug 12 so as to contain a piston 82 pushed down by a spring 30 8k. An O-ring 86 forms a seal between the piston 82 and the inner wall 88 of the sleeve 80. When the neck 5k of the carbon dioxide capsule 52 is pierced, the escaping gas drives the piston 82 upward, indicating to the user that the cartridge was.

6 loaded appropriately and that it was appropriately pierced to release its carbon dioxide content into container 32.

Referring now to Figure k, where there is shown the valve mechanism 2k distribution. After having loaded * 5 the liquid into the container 32, it can be selectively dispensed in measured quantities by pushing on a piston plug 90 which lowers a piston 92. The piston 92 is housed in a threaded connection sleeve 9k screwed into a bulge vertical thread of the plug 12. An O-ring 98 forms a seal between the piston 92 and the connection sleeve 9k. An O-ring 100 seals between the upper parts of the connection sleeve 9k and the bulge 96. An O-ring 102 seals the lower parts of the connection sleeve 9k and a wall of hollow part 104 integral with the plug 12. A flange of sealing 106 15 is screwed to the lower end of the piston 92 and contains an O-ring 108 which makes a sealed contact between the lower end of the piston 92 and the lower periphery 110 of the connection sleeve 9k. The O-ring 108 is pushed up in tight engagement with the periphery 110 of the connection sleeve by a spring 112. When the piston 92 is brought down, the O-ring 108 is lowered into a position out of any tight engagement with the periphery 110, thus placing the loading valve chamber orifice 114 in communication with the orifice 116 of the hollow and the orifice 118 (FIG. 1) of the distribution nozzle 26.

Referring to Figures 5 to 8, there is shown a second embodiment of the present invention. For convenience, the structural aspects of this embodiment which substantially correspond to those described above relating to the first embodiment, are not described in detail below.

Referring more particularly to Figures 5 and 6, there is shown a device for manufacturing lemonades 200, comprising a head 202 and a mixing and storage container // ji 7 204. The head comprises a handle of support 206 comprising a selector element 208 pivotally mounted thereon.

Referring to Figures 6 and 7, the support handle 206 is secured to the head 202 and the selector element 208 5 is pivotally attached to the handle by a pin 209. The selector element 208 is shown in solid line in its storage position inside an upwardly opening recess 206a formed in the handle 206, the selector being shown in a sketched manner in its operating position, projecting upwards 10 of the handle.

The selector element 208 comprises a bulbous enlargement and at its distal end 208a remote from the pin 209. In the storage position, the selector element completes the cross-sectional configuration and the apparent volume of the handle 206 15 so as to form a firm, comfortable grip for the user. In addition, the selector element is dimensioned so as to extend slightly behind the groove 206a in the handle 206. The selector element also comprises an orifice or an opening 211 and a clearance elbow 213.

The remaining major components of the head 202 include a carbon dioxide capsule chamber 210, a charge check valve assembly 212, a pressure indicator 214, a distribution valve 216 and a distribution nozzle 218.

25 - An internally threaded collar 220 extends downward from the head 202 for a threaded connection with an externally threaded collar portion 222 projecting upward from an interior container 224. The collar 220 includes a plug or horizontal end wall 226 containing an orifice 228 which communicates with the upper end of a carbon tenoyde loading and distribution tube 230. A hollow cylinder 232 extends downward in the coi 222 of the container 224 .

The container 224 is shaped so as to provide 8 I * a concentric air space between the container and the hollow cylinder 232. An insulation 234 is provided between the adjacent walls of the container 224 and of the container 204. Close to the lower part of container 204, a series of pockets or compartments 235 (only one of which is shown) are provided between the insulation 234 and the container 224 for receiving cooling cartridges

Ide container 236.

Referring to Figures 5 and 9, a rotary closure 238 is provided at the bottom of the mixing and storage container 10 204 to allow the introduction of the cartridges 236 into the compartments 235. The closure 238 has a ribbed handle central 239 and a pair of openings 238a and 238b. The closure 238 can rotate to a position for loading and unloading the cartridges with the openings 238a and 238b facing the open ends 15 of the compartments 235. As shown in FIG. 5, an upper surface of the closure 238 retains the loaded cartridges 236 in the compartments 235 when the closure 238 is brought to the closed position illustrated.

The carbon dioxide capsule chamber 210 is closed by means of a threaded plug 240, this can be seen more clearly in FIGS. 5 and 8. A carbon dioxide capsule 242 is introduced into the chamber 210 and an elastomeric valve seal member 244 forms a seal with the neck-like end of the capsule 242 when the capsule is pierced by a needle 246. The needle 246 is mounted in a valve body or threaded connection 248 which extends into a loading valve chamber 250 formed in the head 202.

Referring to FIG. 8, the connector 248 includes an internal bore 252 which communicates with the passage of the needle 30 246 and which terminates in a discharge orifice 254. The outlet or opening of the orifice d the outlet 254 in the chamber 250 is opened and closed by an elastomeric valve element 256. The element 256 has an annular configuration, and is housed in a groove 258 provided in 9.

fitting 248. The element 256 is normally stretched through the opening of the discharge orifice 254 to close the latter. As will be seen in more detail below, the pressure of carbon dioxide in a connected capsule will expand element 256 to allow the charge of carbon dioxide from the capsule to pass into chamber 250.

The pressure indicator 214 is identical from the point of view of structure and operation to the indicator 22 described above. The indicator 214 is visible thanks to the opening 211 and 10 to an aligned opening 215 in the handle 206 when looking from the upper part of the device, as indicated in FIG. 6.

The distribution valve 216 is similar in structure and operation to the distribution valve 24 described above. However, the structure and operation of the valve 216 are briefly described below in order to further clarify the subsequent description of the operation of the selector element 208.

The distribution valve 216 is controlled by lowering an external piston plug or button 260, which in turn displaces the piston 262. The piston 262 is mounted in a threaded connection sleeve 264, and its movement is subjected to resistance from the a spring 266 which is used to normally return the valve 216 to a closed position. When lowering the piston button 260 and the piston 262, a loading valve chamber orifice 25 268, which communicates with the chamber 250, is placed in communication with an orifice 270 of a hollow part and an orifice 272 of the distribution nozzle 218.

Mechanism operation

Referring to FIG. 1. The container cap 30 12 is not screwed onto the container neck 30. The filling cylinder 42 being in position, a previously measured quantity of syrup is poured into this cylinder. A previously cooled quantity of water is then poured into the cylinder, and as soon as the water flows h t

J

10 in the lower end of the container 32, air is compressed between the interior wall of the container 32 and the exterior wall of the cylinder ¢ 2. When the water level reaches the lower edge 120 of the cylinder 42, the air is trapped between the container 32 and the cylinder 5 42. The user continues to add water until the cylinder 42 is filled, again compressing the air between the container 32 and the cylinder 42. Cartridges previously refrigerated 46 are then introduced into the spaces provided between the container insulation 44 and the outer wall of the container 32. The cap 12 is then 10 replaced on the container neck 30. A carbon dioxide capsule 32 is introduced into the chamber 18 and the plug 50 is screwed to bring the capsule into piercing contact with the needle 58 (Figure 2). The carbon dioxide gas passes through the tube 40 to carbonate the mixture of syrup and cooled water in the container 32. The container 15 is now loaded. This is indicated by the pressure indicator 22, which has been brought into its upward position by the pressure of the charge of carbon dioxide. The carbonated drink is now ready for consumption. The piston plug 90 (Figure 1) is lowered to open the nozzle opening 118 towards the interior of the container 32. The pressure in the container 32 causes the drink to rise in the tube 40, passes into the chamber 64 , port 114, around piston valve 92, through port 116, and finally through port 118 of nozzle 26 in a drinking cup. Once a desired amount of beverage has been dispensed, the plunger stopper 90 is released, the system closes and carbonation of the beverage is maintained.

The embodiment of Figures 5 to 8 operates in substantially the same manner as the first embodiment.

This is why the common characteristics of the loading and distribution operations relating to the second embodiment 30 are not described here. However, the additional advantages relating to the loading and distribution operations according to the second embodiment are described below.

The cartridges 236 are loaded at the lower part / 11, into the device by simply turning the closure 238 to arrange the openings 238a and 238b opposite the compartments 235. After the cartridges have been introduced into the compartments, the cartridge is turned. closure so that the aforementioned openings are no longer facing the compartments and the cartridges are retained in the compartments by the adjacent upper surface of the closure 238.

As noted above, the IQ loading valve assembly 212 of the second embodiment includes an elastomeric valve member 256 which acts as a check valve. More particularly, the introduction of the capsule 242 and its drilling with the needle 256 lead to filling and pressurization with carbon dioxide of the bore 252 and the discharge orifice 254. The pressure carbon dioxide is sufficient to move the elastomeric member 256 from its closed position in the opening of port 254. Therefore, the charge of carbon dioxide enters the loading valve chamber 250 and descends through the tube 230 for carbonating and pressurizing the 2Q charge of liquid in the container 224. Thanks to its resilience, the element 256 returns to its normally closed position in the opening of the orifice 254, once the charge of dioxide of carbon from the capsule 242 was introduced into the device 200.

To dispense the lemonade from the device 200, the plug or plunger button 260 can be lowered, as in the device of the first embodiment. Or, it may be more advantageous to move the selector element 208 to its position for actuating the engagement of the piston stopper 260, as indicated in a sketched manner in FIG. 5. For example, 5Q a user can simply grasp the distal end 208a and rotate the selector 208 around the pin 209. As shown in Figure 5, the adjacent edge of the piston plug 260 is housed in the opening 211 and the release elbow 213 in order to reduce 12 the lateral loading of the plug 260 and of the piston 262 when the selector element 208 is pivoted around the pin 209 and when it is used as a lever to actuate the piston plug 260.

In its actuating position, the selector 208 5 projects from the support handle 206 in an angular orientation adjacent A and above the dispensing nozzle 218. Thus the selector and the dispensing nozzle are both near a user at the front of the device, that is to the left of the device as shown in Figure 5. This is particularly advantageous when the device is placed on an element for positioning and / or below cabinets which hinder the direct actuation of the piston plug 260 and the handling of the glass or container to be filled with lemonade.

The preferred beverage volume of the container is about two liters, which is comparable to the two liter plastic lemonade bottles currently available in beverage stores. However, a carton or package of six bottles, special of previously measured syrup, which would be manufactured and distributed by the applicant, sufficient to make twelve liters of drink, is no more difficult to transport than a single bottle of two liters. store-bought drink. At the same time, storage and location requirements are reduced to one-sixth of the space required for a comparable number of two-liter bottles. At current costs, lemonades can be prepared in accordance with the present invention at approximately one cent per 30 cl, compared to about 3-4 cents per 30 cl for commercially bottled lemonades.

It should be understood that the present invention is not in any way limited to the above embodiments and that many modifications can be made thereto without departing from the scope of this patent.

he

Claims (25)

13 1. Method of manufacturing and distributing lemonades in a container comprising a closable opening, a pocket | air and a valve with open and closed positions in! - * sealed communication with said container, this process being characterized! | 5 in that it comprises the following stages: | (a) loading a previously measured amount of syrup into the container (32, 22k) through this opening; (b) loading a sufficient amount of water into this container through this opening to compress the air in the air pocket; (c) closing this opening; (d) closing the valve (2k, 216); (e) loading a previously measured amount of carbon dioxide into this mixture of syrup and water; (F) mixing the syrup, water and carbon dioxide to pressurize said mixture; (g) cooling this mixture; (h) lining this container with a cooling substance (k6, 236); and (i) the selective opening of this valve to allow the pressurized mixture to exit the container. 2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the carbon dioxide is directed towards the bottom of the container before mixing it with the above-mentioned mixture of syrup and water. 3. Device for carbonation and liquid distribution, characterized in that it comprises a container (32, 23k) comprising an air chamber, a removable plug (12, 202) which can be fixed to this container and in communication with the inside this container, means (k2, 232) for pouring liquid into this container 30 so as to compress the air in the air chamber when the cap is removed, means (20, 212) for making passing carbon dioxide through the cap into the container when the cap A "14 is attached to the container, valve means (24, 216) having open and closed positions in said cap and in association with a dispensing nozzle (26 , 21 S), and means for passing carbonated liquid out of this container and through this distribution nozzle-5 tion, reacting to these valve means in the open position. 4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that it comprises a container (14, 204) enveloping the container (32, 224), an insulation (44, 234) between these containers, a pocket (235) between the insulation and the container (32, 224) and a cartridge (46, 236) 10 containing a refrigerable substance which can be introduced into this pocket to cool the contents of the container (32, 224). 5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that it comprises a mobile element (238) for opening and closing the aforementioned pocket, this mobile element being placed near the bottom 15 of the container (204). 6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the movable element (238) comprises a rotary bottom element for the container (204), this bottom element comprising an opening (238a, 238b) for facing with this pocket (235) so as to allow loading and unloading of the cartridge (236). 7. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that it comprises pressure indicator means (22, 214) adapted to indicate whether the carbon dioxide gas has passed through the plug. 8. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that it comprises external control means (260) for a user of the device arranged to actuate the valve means (216) between the open and closed positions, these control means comprising a selector element which can be manipulated by hand (208) which can be moved to an actuating position in order to engage these control means. 9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the selector element (208) is movable between this actuating position and a storage position clear of these control means * 15. 10. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the plug (202) has a recess (206a) for receiving the selector element in the storage position and in that the selector element protrudes from this plug in the actuation position. 11. Device according to claim S, characterized; in that the control means (260) comprises a button element (260) which can also be manipulated manually by a user of the device for actuating the valve means (216) and in that the selector element (208) is movable between the actuating position i engaging the button element and a storage position; ge disengaged from this button element. 12. Carbonation and liquid distribution mechanism comprising a bottle-shaped container (32, 224) having a neck-shaped opening, characterized in that it comprises a hollow cylinder (42, 232) freely adapted in this neck-shaped opening and extending into this container to define an air space between the cylinder and the inner surface of the container, a plug (34, 226) removably attachable to this neck-shaped opening of the container , a first chamber (18, 210) in the cap for housing a carbon dioxide capsule, a second chamber (64, 250) in the cap in communication with the first chamber, a third chamber (116, 268) in the cap in communication with the second chamber, a distribution nozzle (26, 218) in the plug in communication with the third chamber, this container being in communication with the second chamber, valve means (24, 216) in the third chamber suitable for opening and closing the communication between the dispensing nozzle and the third chamber, as well as means (20, 212) for releasing the gas from the carbon dioxide capsule, so that the carbon dioxide gas will flow through the container or out of the dispensing nozzle according to the position of the aforementioned valve means. 13. Device according to claim 12, characterized »16 in that it comprises a tube (40, 230) connecting the second chamber (64, 230) to the bottom of the container (32, 224) and a liquid in the container filled up to '' at the lower end of the cylinder (42, 232) to trap and compress the air between this cylinder and the interior surface of said container, so that carbon dioxide gas will enter said container and carbonate this liquid when the valve 3 of the third chamber is in the closed position, and so that the carbonated liquid will be forced to go up through said tube and out of the dispensing device (26, 218) when the valve is in the open position. 14. Device according to claim 12, characterized in that it comprises an external container (14, 204) enveloping the container (32, 224), an insulation (44, 234) between this external container and said container, a pocket ( 235) between the insulation and the container, and a cartridge (46, 236) containing a refrigerable substance which can be removably housed in this pocket. 15. Device according to claim 14, characterized in that the pocket (235) is arranged in the vicinity of a lower part of the container (224) and in that a rotary element (238) is provided to open and close this poached. 16. Device according to claim 12, characterized in that it comprises external control means (260) for a user of the device for actuating the valve means (216) between the above-mentioned open and closed positions, these control means 25 of comprising a manually usable selector element (208) movable to an actuating position to engage said control means. 17. Device according to claim 12, characterized in that the means (212) for releasing the gas comprise needle means (246) for piercing the capsule (242) and check valve means for allowing the dioxide to carbon to come out of the capsule and to limit reverse circulation in the capsule, said check valve means comprising a discharge orifice (254) having an opening ► normally closed by an elastomeric element (256) stretched against this opening. 18. Carbonation and liquid distribution device, characterized in that it comprises a container (14, 204), a container (32, 224) inside this container (14, 204), an insulation ( 44, 234) between said containers, at least one pocket (235) between the insulation and the container (32, 224) for introducing cartridge means (36, 236) filled with a refrigerable substance, an opening at the upper end of the container (32, 224), a hollow cylinder (42, 10 232) freely adapted in this opening projecting concentrically downward inside the container (32, 224) to form an air pocket between the outer surface of the cylinder and the inner surface of this container (32, 224), a stopper (34, 226) removably attachable to the upper end of this container (32, 224), a chamber of dioxide capsule carbon (18, 210) formed in this plug, a check valve chamber (64, 250) formed in this plug adjacent to the chamber e capsule, a wall between said chambers comprising an opening, needle and check valve means in this check valve chamber, this needle 20 (58, 246) projecting through this wall opening and in this chamber of capsule, means (50, 240) for bringing the capsule against the needle and piercing said capsule, a first port (36, 228) in the check valve chamber, a combination loading and distribution tube (40 , 230) fixed at one end to this first orifice and extending into the container (32, 224) with its opposite end adjacent to the lower end of this container (32, 224), a valve chamber distribution valve (116, 228) formed in said plug, a distribution valve (24, 216) in the distribution valve chamber, a second port (114, 268) in this check valve chamber connecting the valve chamber of bare rete and the aforementioned first orifice to the chamber of dispensing valve, a port (116, 270) in this dispensing valve chamber selectively connectable by the dispensing valve to the second check valve chamber port, and a dispensing nozzle (26, 218) in communication with this distribution valve chamber, so that with this distribution valve blocking communication between the second retaining valve chamber port and the distribution valve chamber port when the carbon dioxide capsule is pierced, the carbon dioxide gas causes the opening of the check valve and descends through the loading and distribution tube into said container (32, 22k), and so that with this valve distribution valve does not block the communication between the second check valve chamber port and the aforementioned distribution valve chamber port, carbon dioxide gas rises through the charging tube e t distribution, passes through the first and second distribution valve chamber orifices and exits through the distribution nozzle. 19. Device according to claim 18, characterized in that it comprises an orifice in the plug (3k) communicating with the aforementioned check valve chamber, a plug (82) extending from the interior of this valve chamber retaining through this orifice to the outside of this plug, sealing means between the ankle and the aforementioned plug, this ankle being movable in this orifice, spring means for returning the ankle down into said chamber, and stops on opposite ends of this dowel to limit its movement in this orifice, so that the dowel will be driven upward when the carbon dioxide capsule is pierced to indicate that the container has been pressurized. 20. Device according to claim 19, characterized in that it comprises external control means (260) for a user of the device for actuating the valve means (216) between the above-mentioned open and closed positions, these control means. comprising a manually operable selector element (208) displaceable towards an actuating position to engage these control means. m 19 21. Device according to claim 20, characterized in that the control means (260) comprise a button element '(260) which can also be used manually by a user of the device to actuate said valve means and 5 in that the 'selector element is movable between this actuating position engaging the button element and a storage position * clear of this button element. 22. Device according to claim 21, characterized in that the plug comprises a support handle (206), the button element (260) being arranged in the vicinity thereof, the support handle also comprising a recess for receiving the selector element (208) in its storage position, this selector element being pivotally mounted on the handle to move between these actuation and storage positions. 23. Device according to claim 22, characterized in that the selector element (208) in its storage position completes the cross-sectional configuration and the apparent volume of the support handle. 24. Device according to claim 22, characterized in that the selector element (208) projects from the support handle in the actuating position and at its distal end adjacent to the aforementioned dispensing nozzle. 25. Process and apparatus for the production of a carbonated drink, as described above and / or in accordance with the accompanying drawings. Drawings: plates .pages of which ...... To ....... cover page Ab description pages ............ pages of this claim ..... -j. ù description Luxembourg. Î3 2 3 BEC. 13K The representative: Me Alain Rukavina, jû IM