Apparatus and method for manufacturing carbonated water

• US 6,113,080 A
• Filed: 03/26/1998
• Issued: 09/05/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sanyo Electric Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sanyo Electric Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Kazuma, Yasuo
• Primary Examiner(s): Chiesa, Richard L.
• Application Number:
  US09/047,930
• Time in Patent Office: 894 Days
• Field of Search: 261/27, 261/119.1, 261/103, 261/106, 261/115, 261/112.1, 261/DIG. 7
• US Class Current: 261/115
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 23/23211 the liquid flowing in a thin film to absorb the gas
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 23/234 Surface aerating
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 23/23413 using nozzles for projecting the liquid into the gas atmosphere
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 25/72 with nozzles
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0057 Carbonators
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0068 Cooling bath
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0073 Carbonating by spraying the liquid
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0074 Automatic carbonation control
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2210/00157 Level detected electrically by contact with sensors
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 261/07 Carbonators

Abstract

An apparatus and method for manufacturing carbonated water according to the invention can quickly produce carbonated water with a high carbonic acid gas content which does not easily lose carbonic acid gas and hence satisfactorily stimulates the throat with agreeable pungency. Since it has a simple configuration and hence is economic and effective, it can suitably be used in a carbonated beverage supplying apparatus such as an automatic vending machine, an automatic dispenser or the like. With such an arrangement, the apparatus improves its safety and hence can constantly supply delicious carbonated water.

Claims

1. An apparatus for manufacturing carbonated water by contact between carbonic acid gas and water introduced into a carbonic acid gas pressure container, said apparatus comprising:

a spray having a front end for introducing water into the carbonic acid gas pressure container; and

a single layer of metal network arranged proximate the front end of the spray so that water drops discharged from the spray collide with the metal network at a high rate of speed and are atomized and dispersed to collide and become mixed with the water already in the pressure container, the metal network being rigidly attached to the front end of the spray,

wherein the metal network is rigidly attached to the front end of the spray by a holder member that is coextensive with the spray.

2. An apparatus for manufacturing carbonated water according to claim 1, wherein the metal network is a 50 to 250 mesh network.

3. An apparatus for manufacturing carbonated water according to claim 1, wherein the metal network is a 50 to 100 mesh network.

4. An apparatus for manufacturing carbonated water according to claim 1, wherein the spray is cylindrical.

5. An apparatus for manufacturing carbonated water according to claim 1, wherein the holder member is cylindrical.

6. An apparatus for manufacturing carbonated water according to claim 5, wherein the spray is cylindrical.

7. An apparatus for manufacturing carbonated water according to claim 1, wherein the holder member is rod-shaped.

8. An apparatus for manufacturing carbonated water according to claim 7, wherein the spray is cylindrical.

9. A method for manufacturing carbonated water by contact between carbonic acid gas and water introduced into a carbonic acid gas pressure container, said method comprising the steps of:

spraying water into the carbonic acid gas pressure container using a spray; and

atomizing the water by positioning a single layer of metal network proximate a front end of the spray such that water drops discharged from the spray collide with the metal network at a high rate of speed and are atomized and dispersed to collide and become mixed with water already in the container, the metal network being rigidly attached to the front end of the spray,

wherein the positioning step comprises attaching the metal network rigidly to the front end of the spray by a holder member that is coextensive with the spray.

10. The method for manufacturing carbonated water according to claim 9, wherein the spray is cylindrical.

11. The method for manufacturing carbonated water according to claim 9, wherein the holder member is cylindrical.

12. The method for manufacturing carbonated water according to claim 11, wherein the spray is cylindrical.

13. The method for manufacturing carbonated water according to claim 9, wherein the holder member is rod-shaped.

14. The method for manufacturing carbonated water according to claim 12, wherein the spray is cylindrical.

15. The method for manufacturing carbonated water according to claim 9, wherein the metal network is a 50 to 250 mesh network.

16. The method for manufacturing carbonated water according to claim 9, wherein the metal network is a 50 to 100 mesh network.