Carbonation apparatus

• US 5,165,575 A
• Filed: 04/27/1992
• Issued: 11/24/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 02/10/1986
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Isoworth (Bahamas) Limited
• Original Assignee: Isoworth (Bahamas) Limited
• Inventors: Scott, Alistair
• Primary Examiner(s): Huson, Gregory L.
• Application Number:
  US07/875,522
• Time in Patent Office: 211 Days
• Field of Search: 222/109, 222/129.1-129.4, 222/394, 222/397, 222/399, 222/400.7, 222/400.8, 222/325, 239/346, 239/369, 261/DIG. 7, 137/205, 141/59, 215/274, 215/280, 215/307, 215/309
• US Class Current: 222/129.1
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0079 having their own dispensing means
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/04 Apparatus utilising compressed air or other gas acting directly or indirectly on beverages in storage containers
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0829 Keg connection means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 261/07 Carbonators

Abstract

A connector for a bottle of concentrate for a carbonating apparatus has a cylindrical body the upper end of which carries a structure defining a number of radially extending baffle and a central opening through which a dip tube may be inserted into the bottle. A latching ring for connecting the connector to the carbonation apparatus is carried by the body at a position outwardly thereof and lower than the baffle structure. The latching ring is constructed to snap on to a corresponding boss on the carbonation apparatus. The bottle is detached from the carbonation apparatus, after exhaustion of the contents, by removal of a tear-off strip which connects the latching ring to the body of the cxonnector. To facilitate connection of a fresh bottle of concentrate to the apparatus, the apparatus includes a housing which is detachable from the remainder of the apparatus and which carries the dip tube and other elements co-operable with the connector for attaching the bottle.

Claims

1. Apparatus for producing carbonated, flavored drinks including a carbonation chamber for containing water to be carbonated, means for discharging carbonated water from the chamber, carbon dioxide supply means, and concentrate supply means, the apparatus further including a location for receiving at least one bottle of concentrate for flavoring the drinks, wherein the concentrate supply means includes a device which is positioned at said location and comprises first connection means for connection to a bottle of concentrate, second connection means for connection to a carbon dioxide supply conduit for effecting the supply of concentrate from said bottle to the device and third connection means for connection to a further conduit for dispensing the supply of concentrate from the device to a drinking vessel, said device being movable to facilitate connection of a concentrate bottle to, and disconnection of a concentrate bottle form, said device, and wherein said second connection means comprises a first nipple element mounted to said device and extending in a generally horizontal direction, said first nipple element being connectable to a generally horizontally extending gas supply conduit, and said third connection means comprising a second nipple element mounted to said device and extending in a generally vertically downwardly direction, said second nipple element being connectable to a generally vertically upwardly extending conduit.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said device includes a metering chamber for concentrate.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said device includes a gas driven pump for causing concentrate to be supplied from the bottle to the device.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said gas driven pump is a Venturi pump.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the device is arranged so that carbon dioxide supplied thereto through said second connection means, is passed to said concentrate bottle.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said device is so arranged that excess concentrate supplied to said device from said bottle is returned to the bottle with said gas.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said device is displaceable away from said location to facilitate connection of a concentrate bottle to, and disconnection of concentrate bottle from, said device.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said second and third connection means are disconnectable for effecting said displacement away from said location.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8, arranged so that said second connection means may be engaged by a horizontal movement of said device and said third connection means may be engaged by a vertical movement of said device whilst said second connection means remains engaged.

10. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said second connection means comprises a first nipple element mounted to said device and a cooperating housing element permanently connected to said carbon dioxide supply conduit, said nipple element and said housing element being adapted to slidably engage with one another upon movement relative to one another in a horizontal direction, said housing element being mounted for vertical movement adjacent said location, said third connection means comprising a member fixedly mounted at said location and a second nipple element on said device adapted to slidably engage with said member upon relative vertical movement of said second nipple element and said member.

11. A device for forming part of a concentrate supply means the device comprising a housing, a first connection means at the bottom of the housing for connection to a concentrate bottle for receiving concentrate therefrom, a second connection means for connection to a carbon dioxide supply conduit, and third connection means for connection to a further conduit for the supply of concentrate from the device to a drinking vessel, said second and third connection means each comprising an element which is a push fit into a cooperating element connected to the respective conduit, wherein said second connection means comprises a first nipple element mounted to said housing and extending in a generally horizontal direction therefrom, said first nipple element being connectable to a generally horizontally extending carbon dioxide supply conduit, and said third connection means comprises a second nipple element mounted to said housing and extending in a generally vertically downwardly direction therefrom, said second nipple element being connectable to a generally vertically upwardly extending conduit.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said device includes a metering chamber for concentrate.

13. Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said device includes a gas driven pump for causing concentrate to be supplied from the bottle to the device.

14. Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said gas driven pump is a Venturi pump.

15. Apparatus according to any of claim 11, wherein the device is constructed so that carbon dioxide supplied thereto through said second connection means, may be passed to said concentrate bottle.

16. Apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said device is so constructed that excess concentrate supplied to said device from said bottle may be returned to the bottle with said gas.

17. The device according to claim 11, wherein said second nipple element is mounted to said device below said first nipple element.

18. A device for forming part of a concentrate supply means, the device comprising a housing, first connection means at the bottom of the housing for connection to a concentrate bottle for receiving concentrate therefrom, a second connection means for connection to a gas supply conduit and third connection means for connection to a further conduit for supplying concentrate from said device to a drinking vessel, said second and third connection means each comprising an element adaptable to become engaged with the respective conduit, wherein the second connection means comprises a first nipple element mounted to said device and extending in a generally horizontal direction, said first nipple element being connectable to a generally horizontally extending gas supply conduit, and said third connection means comprises a second nipple element mounted to said device and extending in a generally vertically downwardly direction, said second nipple element being connectable to a generally vertically upwardly extending conduit.

19. The device according to claim 18 wherein said second nipple element is mounted to said device below said first nipple element.

20. Apparatus for producing carbonated flavoured drinks comprising carbonating means for carbonating water, concentrate supply means for supplying concentrate in predetermined quantities, and discharge means for discharging carbonated water from the carbonation means and concentrate from the supply means, said supply means comprising a housing containing a metering chamber connected to said discharge means, coupling means for coupling a concentrate container to said housing, a gas-driven pump in said housing for causing concentrate to be transferred from said container to said metering chamber through said coupling means, and means for connecting said gas-driven pump to a source of gas pressure.

21. Apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said coupling means includes a first passage for the supply of concentrate to said metering chamber upon operation of said pump and a second passage for the return of excess concentrate from said housing to said container.

22. Apparatus for producing carbonated flavoured drinks comprising means for carbonating water, concentrate supply means for supplying concentrate for mixing with said water, and discharge means for discharging carbonated water from the carbonation means and concentrate from the supply means, said concentrate supply means comprising a housing containing a metering chamber connected to said discharge means, coupling means for coupling the concentrate container to said housing, and means for causing concentrate to be transferred from said container to said metering chamber, said coupling means having a first passage for the supply of concentrate to said metering chamber and a second passage for the return of excess concentrate form said housing to said container.

23. A device for supplying concentrate for use with an apparatus having a gas source for producing carbonated flavored drinks and having a generally horizontally extending gas source conduit and a generally vertically upwardly extending conduit or providing a flow path for the concentrate from the device to a drinking vessel, said device comprising first connection means for connection to a bottle of concentrate, second connection means for connection to the gas source of the carbonation apparatus for effecting supply of concentrate from the bottle to the device, said second connection means comprising a first nipple element mounted to said device and extending in a generally horizontal direction, said first nipple element being connectable to the generally horizontally extending gas source conduit of the apparatus, and third connection means for connection to the apparatus for supplying concentrate from the device to a drinking vessel, said third connection means comprising a second nipple element mounted to said device and extending in a generally vertically downwardly direction, said second nipple element being connectable to the generally vertically upwardly extending conduit of the apparatus, whereby the device may be removed from the apparatus by releasing said second and third connection means.

24. The device according to claim 23, wherein the first nipple element is adaptable to be press-fitted with the gas source conduit, and the second nipple element is adaptable to be press-fitted with the generally vertically upwardly extending conduit of the apparatus for communication therebetween.

25. The device according to claim 24, wherein the second nipple element is mounted to the device below said first nipple element.

26. The device according to claim 23, wherein said first connection means is arranged for releasable connection to the bottle of concentrate.