Beverage dispenser system suitable for use in outer space
First Claim
1. A carbonator for producing carbonated water in a container without forming a gaseous phase therein comprising:
- (a) a carbonation chamber including means for biasing the chamber toward a fully collapsed state of substantially zero internal volume;
(b) means for introducing water into said chamber at a pressure sufficient to overcome said means for biasing to expand said chamber to the volume of water introduced;
(c) means for introducing carbon dioxide gas into said chamber to carbonate the same; and
(d) means for dispensing the carbonated water from said chamber.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A post-mix beverage dispenser comprising: a sub-system for making and dispensing a chilled, carbonated beverage from syrup concentrate; a sub-system for making and dispensing a chilled, still beverage from flavor concentrate; and a sub-system for making and dispensing a hot beverage from either concentrate or powder. Each of the concentrates for the respective sub-systems are provided in bag-in-box supply packages of a conventional type. Also included are two carbonator designs for operating under zero gravity conditions without forming a gaseous phase within the carbonator tanks thereof. The first of these unique carbonators is a batch carbonator and the second is a continuous carbonator.
The batch carbonator includes an outer rigid shell and an accordian-type inner container which contracts or expands when fluids are dispensed or introduced. The continuous carbonator has a rotary agitator including a plurality of radial vanes in a carbonation chamber which includes an outer toroidal-shaped chamber and an inner cylindrical chamber.
49 Citations
7 Claims
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1. A carbonator for producing carbonated water in a container without forming a gaseous phase therein comprising:
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(a) a carbonation chamber including means for biasing the chamber toward a fully collapsed state of substantially zero internal volume; (b) means for introducing water into said chamber at a pressure sufficient to overcome said means for biasing to expand said chamber to the volume of water introduced; (c) means for introducing carbon dioxide gas into said chamber to carbonate the same; and (d) means for dispensing the carbonated water from said chamber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A carbonator for producing carbonated water in a container without forming a gaseous phase therein comprising:
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(a) a generally cylindrical carbonation chamber having a central section and an outer, annular section in fluid communication therwith; (b) water supply means for introducing water to be carbonated into said central section; (c) rotary impeller means in said central section for creating a centrifugal force which propels said water into said outer annular section; (d) means for introducing carbon dioxide gas into said outer annular section to carbonate the water therein; and (e) means for dispensing the carbonated water from the outer annular section. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7)
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Specification