Carbonation apparatus and method for forming a carbonated beverage

An inline carbonation apparatus comprising:

• a fluid tube having an inner diameter;
• a water flow control module connected to a water source;
• at least one water orifice linked to the water flow control module and attached at one end of the fluid tube, the water orifice having a plurality of holes atomizing water passing therethrough;
• and
• a carbon dioxide source connected to a carbon dioxide valve, the carbon dioxide valve connected to a carbon dioxide regulator that is coupled to a carbon dioxide orifice and attached to the fluid tube in a spaced relationship form the water orifice, wherein the atomized water has a pressure less than the carbon dioxide such that the carbon dioxide is absorbed into the water forming carbonated water having a specified volume of carbonation and wherein the water control module regulates a water flow rate;
• wherein the at least one water orifice includes a water orifice cartridge attached to the fluid tube;
• wherein the water orifice cartridge includes a hollow body having a water orifice plate attached therein;
• and
• wherein the water orifice cartridge includes O-rings positioned therein sealing with the fluid tube.

An inline carbonation apparatus comprising:

• a fluid tube having an inner diameter;
• a water flow control module connected to a water source;
• at least one water orifice linked to the water flow control module and attached at one end of the fluid tube, the water orifice having a plurality of holes atomizing water passing therethrough;
• a carbon dioxide source connected to a carbon dioxide valve, the carbon dioxide valve connected to a carbon dioxide regulator that is coupled to a carbon dioxide orifice and attached to the fluid tube in a spaced relationship from the water orifice, wherein the atomized water has a pressure less than the carbon dioxide such that carbon dioxide is absorbed into the water forming carbonated water having a specified volume of carbonation and wherein the water control module regulates a water flow rate;
• and
• a solenoid valve attached to the fluid tube, the solenoid valve preventing dispensing of non carbonated water.

A beverage dispensing apparatus comprising:

• at least one inline carbonation apparatus having;
• a fluid tube having an inner diameter;
• a water flow control module connected to a water source;
• at least one water orifice linked to the water flow control module and attached at one end of the fluid tube, the water orifice having a plurality of holes atomizing water passing through;
• a carbon dioxide source connected to a carbon dioxide regulator that is coupled to a carbon dioxide orifice and attached to the fluid tube in a spaced relationship form the water orifice, wherein the atomized water has a pressure less than the carbon dioxide such that carbon dioxide is absorbed into the water forming carbonated water having a specified volume of carbonation, wherein the water control module regulates a water flow rate;
• at least one dispense valve connected to at least one inline carbonation apparatus;
• and
• a solenoid valve attached to the fluid tube, the solenoid valve preventing dispensing of non-carbonated water.

An inline carbonation apparatus comprising:

• a fluid conduit having an upstream end, a downstream end, and an inner diameter;
• a water source configured to supply a steam of water to the upstream end;
• wherein the fluid conduit has a water orifice through which the stream of water passes, the water orifice defining a plurality of holes that are configured to atomize the stream of water;
• carbon dioxide source that is configured to introduce a specified volume of carbon dioxide into the atomized stream of water via a carbon dioxide orifice that is located downstream of the water orifice;
• a carbon dioxide regulator that is configured to regulate the introduction of the specified volume of carbon dioxide into the atomized stream of water;
• wherein the water orifice is configured to cause the atomized stream of water to have a pressure that is less than a pressure of the carbon dioxide so that the carbon dioxide is adsorbed into the atomized stream of water and thereby produces a carbonated stream of water having a predetermined volume of carbonation;
• and
• a water control module that is configured to regulate flow of water from the water source to the upstream end of the conduit, wherein the water control module comprises a piston and an interchangeable set of sleeves, the interchangeable set of sleeves each causing different flow rates of water in to the upstream end of the conduit.

An inline carbonation apparatus comprising;

• a fluid conduit having an upstream end, a downstream end, and an inner diameter;
• a water source configured to supply a steam of water to the upstream end;
• wherein the fluid conduit has a water orifice through which the stream of water passes, the water orifice defining a plurality of holes that are configured to atomize the stream of water;
• a carbon dioxide source that is configured to introduce a specified volume of carbon dioxide into the atomized stream of water via a carbon dioxide orifice that is located downstream of the water orifice;
• a carbon dioxide regulator that is configured to regulate the introduction of the specified volume of carbon dioxide into the atomized stream of water;
• wherein the water orifice is configured to cause the atomized stream of water to have a pressure that is less than a pressure of carbon dioxide so that the carbon dioxide is adsorbed into the atomized stream of water and thereby produces a carbonated stream of water having a predetermined volume of carbonation;
• and
• a water orifice cartridge attached to the fluid conduit and forming the water orifice, wherein the water orifice cartridge comprises a hollow body haying a water orifice plate attached therein, wherein the water orifice plate defines the plurality of holes that are configured to atomize the stream of water.

An inline carbonation apparatus comprising:

• a fluid conduit having an upstream end, a downstream end, and an inner diameter;
• a water source configured to supply a steam of water to the upstream end;
• wherein the fluid conduit has a water orifice through which the stream of water passes, the water orifice defining a plurality of holes that are configured to atomize the stream of water;
• and
• a carbon dioxide source that is configured to introduce a specified volume of carbon dioxide into the atomized stream of water via a carbon dioxide orifice that is located downstream of the water orifice;
• a carbon dioxide regulator that is configured to regulate the introduction of the specified volume of carbon dioxide into the atomized stream of water;
• wherein the water orifice is configured to cause the atomized stream of water to have a pressure that is less than a pressure of the carbon dioxide so that the of carbon dioxide is adsorbed into the atomized stream of water and thereby produces a carbonated stream of water having a predetermined volume of carbonation;
• a dispenser valve that dispensing the carbonated stream of water;
• and
• a solenoid valve located downstream of the carbon dioxide orifice and upstream of the dispenser valve, wherein the solenoid valve is configured to prevent dispensing of non carbonated water, reduce carbon dioxide gas pockets in the carbonated stream of water, and allow switching on and off of the supply of the carbonated stream of water to the dispenser valve.