Carbonator with targeted carbonation level
AssigneeThe Coca-Cola Company
InventorLawrence B. Ziesel
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A carbonator for use in a beverage dispenser may include a tank having a first end and a second end. An inlet in the second end of the tank may be configured to receive a supply of CO2. The carbonator may include a baffle in the tank between the first end and the second end and an orifice in the first end of the tank. The orifice may be structured and arranged to direct a stream of water into the tank. The baffle may be positioned in the tank so as to target a desired carbonation level of the water in the tank.
Claims31
A system for mixing water with CO2 to produce carbonated water at a targeted carbonation level, the system comprising:
- a tank containing water and a headspace, the tank having a first end and a second end;
- a source of CO2 in fluid communication with the headspace;
- a baffle in the tank between the first end and the second end;
- an orifice in the first end of the tank;
- and
- a supply of water coupled to the orifice, the orifice being structured and arranged to direct a stream of water into the tank,
- wherein the baffle is positioned in the tank so as to target a desired carbonation level of the water in the tank.
A carbonator for use in a beverage dispenser, comprising:
- a tank having a first end and a second end, the tank being configured to contain water;
- an inlet in the second end of the tank configured to receive a supply of CO2;
- a baffle in the tank between the first end and the second end;
- and
- an orifice in the first end of the tank, the orifice being structured and arranged to direct a stream of water into the tank,
- wherein the baffle is positioned in the tank so as to target a desired carbonation level of the water in the tank.
A method of mixing water with CO2 to produce carbonated water at a targeting carbonation level, the method comprising:
- supplying gaseous CO2 to a headspace in a tank containing a volume of water to be carbonated, said headspace being disposed above a liquid-gas interface between the water and the gaseous CO2;
- directing a stream of water first through the headspace to entrain CO2 gas therein and then into the volume of water to carbonate the same to a desired carbonation level;
- and
- separating CO2 bubbles formed in the quantity of water according to relatively large and small sizes.
A carbonator for use in a beverage dispenser, comprising:
- a tank having at least one wall, the tank being configured to contain water;
- an inlet in the at least one wall of the tank configured to receive a supply of CO2 ;
- a baffle in the tank spaced from the inlet;
- an orifice in the at least one wall of the tank, the orifice being structured and arranged to direct a stream of water into the tank,
- wherein the baffle is positioned in the tank so as to target a desired carbonation level of the water in the tank.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.