# US 12,005,404 B2 · Beverage carbonation system flow control > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,005,404 B2 - Document ID: US12005404B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/821,212 - Filed: 2022-08-22 - Published: 2024-02-22 - Granted: 2024-06-11 - Earliest claimed: 2022-08-22 - Assignees: SharkNinja Operating LLC - Applicants: SharkNinja Operating LLC - Inventors: Miles William Noel Hember; Noa Reisner-Stehman; Scott John Shaw - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12005404B2 ## CPC - B01F 23/2362: {for aerating or carbonating within receptacles or tanks, e.g. distribution machines (B01F23/2361 takes precedence)} - B01F 23/2364: {using security elements, e.g. valves, for relieving overpressure} - A23L 2/54: Mixing with gases - B01F 23/233: using driven stirrers with completely immersed stirring elements - B01F 23/2363: {Mixing systems, i.e. flow charts or diagrams; Arrangements, e.g. comprising controlling means} - B01F 23/237621: {in beverages} - B01F 27/1111: with a flat disc or with a disc-like element equipped with blades, e.g. Rushton turbine - B01F 35/2111: {Flow rate} - B01F 35/2113: {Pressure} - B01F 35/2211: {Amount of delivered fluid during a period} - B01F 35/2213: {Pressure} - B01F 35/7543: {using pneumatic pressure, overpressure or gas pressure in a closed receptacle or circuit system} - B67D 1/0071: {Carbonating by injecting CO2 in the liquid} - B01F 2101/14: Mixing of ingredients for non-alcoholic beverages; Dissolving sugar in water - B67D 2001/0098: {using a gas} - B01F: MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING (mixing paints B44D3/06) - A23L: FOODS, FOODSTUFFS OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; PREPARATION OR TREATMENT THEREOF (preservation thereof A23B) - B67D: DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (cleaning pipes or tubes or systems of pipes or tubes B08B9/02; emptying or filling of bottles, jars, cans, casks, barrels, or similar containers, not otherwise provided for B67C; water supply E03; pipe systems F17D; domestic hot-water supply systems F24D; measuring volume, volume flow, mass flow or liquid level, metering by volume G01F; coin-freed or like apparatus G07F) ## Abstract Various illustrative systems, devices, and methods of beverage carbonation system flow control are provided. A carbonation system is one example of a treatment system to which the systems, devices, and methods described herein apply. In general, a carbonation system is configured to form a carbonated fluid and dispense the carbonated fluid in a controlled manner. In an illustrative embodiment, the carbonation system is configured to begin dispensing the carbonated fluid with a pressure in a chamber of the carbonation system, in which the carbonated fluid is formed, being above atmospheric pressure. A gas is introduced into the chamber after dispensing has already started via the pressure in the chamber to drive the flow of the carbonated fluid. The gas can be introduced into the chamber according to a predetermined pressure profile. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method comprising: forming a treated fluid in a chamber of a treatment system, the chamber having an initial pressure after forming the treated fluid; venting pressure from the chamber for a period of time; starting to dispense treated fluid from the treatment system at a first point in time during the period of time, the chamber having a first pressure at the first point in time that is less than the initial pressure, and wherein the first pressure assists in causing the treated fluid to be dispensed from the treatment system; and inputting a first gas into the chamber at a second point in time during the dispensing of the treated fluid, the chamber having a second pressure at the second point in time that is less than the first pressure, and wherein the inputting of the first gas assists in causing the treated fluid to dispense from the treatment system. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the treated fluid is dispensed from the first point in time to an end of dispensing at a substantially steady flow rate. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, further comprising controlling a flow of the first gas input into the chamber to maintain the substantially steady flow rate. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3, wherein controlling the flow includes modifying the flow during the dispensing. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein forming the treated fluid includes adding a liquid to the chamber, adding carbon dioxide to the chamber, and agitating the liquid and the carbon dioxide in the chamber. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, wherein the agitating is performed concurrently to adding the carbon dioxide. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, wherein the agitating continues after stopping the adding of the carbon dioxide. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, further comprising, after an initial period commencing at a start of the carbon dioxide being added, substantially maintaining the pressure in the chamber at a predetermined level until stopping the adding of the carbon dioxide. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein forming the treated fluid includes mixing a liquid introduced into the chamber with a second gas introduced into the chamber; and the second gas is a same type of gas as the first gas or the second gas is a different type of gas from the first gas. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the liquid is water, and the second gas is carbon dioxide. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein forming the treated fluid includes mixing a liquid introduced into the chamber with carbon dioxide introduced into the chamber; and the first gas is air or the first gas is carbon dioxide. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein beginning to dispense the treated fluid includes opening a valve of the treatment system. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the venting of the pressure includes opening a valve in a headspace above the treated fluid in the chamber.