Gas and liquid contact apparatus – Fluid distribution – Pumping
Patent
1984-04-10
1985-05-21
Miles, Tim
Gas and liquid contact apparatus
Fluid distribution
Pumping
261 50B, 261DIG7, 261DIG74, B01F 304
Patent
active
045185417
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention concerns apparatus for aerating liquids, and in particular for carbonating water to make fizzy drinks.
The portable carbonating machines currently available for use in the home are entirely mechanically operated. A person using one of these machines is required to perform a series of manual operations in a specified sequence if a satisfactory result is to be achieved. As a result children and persons unfamiliar with this kind of carbonating apparatus can experience difficulty in using the machines. Portable carbonators of the mechanical type are described, for example, in Patent Specification Nos. GB No. 1453363, GB No. 1468469, and GB No. 2026882.
The present invention aims to alleviate the above drawbacks of known portable carbonating machines. A carbonating apparatus according to the invention comprises a carbonating chamber, first valve means for controlling admission of liquid to and discharge of carbonated liquid from the chamber, a gas jet nozzle mounted in the chamber for injecting carbon dioxide gas into liquid contained in the chamber, means for connecting the jet nozzle to a source of pressurized gas including second valve means for controlling the supply of gas, pressure releasing means communicating with an upper part of the chamber and including third valve means, and the apparatus is characterised in that the first, second and third valve means are electrically actuable and controlled by electronic control means which is so programmed that in response to a start signal supplied to the control means, the first valve means is actuated for the admission of liquid to the chamber to substantially fill the chamber, after closure of the first valve means the second valve means is actuated one or more times for periods of set duration for gas to be supplied to the jet nozzle and injected into the liquid, after termination of the gas supply and a short delay the said third valve means is opened to release the pressure in the chamber, and following a further short delay after opening the exhaust valve the first valve means may be actuated for carbonated liquid to be discharged from the chamber. A carbonating apparatus embodying the invention may be of uncomplicated construction and easily arranged to dispense carbonated liquid at the touch of an operating member, such as the press of a button.
According to a particularly expedient embodiment of the invention the control means comprises an electronic timer control device which actuates the first valve means for a predetermined time for admission of liquid into the chamber, and enables the first valve means to be actuated to discharge liquid from the chamber after a predetermined delay has elapsed after opening the third valve means. A timer control device can have the advantage of simplifying the apparatus by avoiding the need for sensor or feedback signals to determine when each stage in the operation has been completed and the next can be commenced. However, means to provide such signals may be desirable and can be included in the apparatus.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention the chamber includes liquid inlet and outlet means at the lower end thereof and means is provided for connecting the inlet means to a source of liquid under pressure, which may be a reservoir and an electrically driven pump, the pump motor being energised under the control of the control means for the pump to be operated for the period during which the inlet valve means is opened. Alternatively, if the reservoir is mounted above the carbonating chamber the head of liquid may be sufficient to allow the pump to be dispensed with, the water then entering the chamber under gravity. Furthermore the reservoir may consist of an enclosed tank and be pressurised by the exhaust gas from the chamber for forcing the liquid from the tank into the chamber.
The apparatus may easily be arranged for still water or carbonated water to be delivered to the dispenser nozzle at the selection of the operator.
The above and other features of the invention will be more fully under
REFERENCES:
patent: 3337197 (1967-08-01), Iannelli
patent: 3552726 (1971-01-01), Kraft
patent: 3618905 (1971-11-01), Primus
patent: 3752452 (1973-08-01), Iannelli
patent: 3756576 (1973-09-01), Tremolada
patent: 4187262 (1980-02-01), Fessler
patent: 4304736 (1981-12-01), McMillin et al.
Miles Tim
Sodastream Limited
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