EP0881981A1 - Dispositif de carbonatation destine a des boissons - Google Patents

Dispositif de carbonatation destine a des boissons

Info

Publication number
EP0881981A1
EP0881981A1 EP97903472A EP97903472A EP0881981A1 EP 0881981 A1 EP0881981 A1 EP 0881981A1 EP 97903472 A EP97903472 A EP 97903472A EP 97903472 A EP97903472 A EP 97903472A EP 0881981 A1 EP0881981 A1 EP 0881981A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
chamber
gas
beverage
carbonating
container
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP97903472A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Paul Anthony Byrne
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of EP0881981A1 publication Critical patent/EP0881981A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D85/00—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials
    • B65D85/70—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for materials not otherwise provided for
    • B65D85/72—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for materials not otherwise provided for for edible or potable liquids, semiliquids, or plastic or pasty materials
    • B65D85/73—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for materials not otherwise provided for for edible or potable liquids, semiliquids, or plastic or pasty materials with means specially adapted for effervescing the liquids, e.g. for forming bubbles or beer head

Definitions

  • This invention relates to apparatus and a method for carbonating or recarbonating beverages, particularly although not essentially soft drinks and waters.
  • the invention is suitable for use in domestic environments and in relation to beverages after their initial retail and even partial consumption.
  • Carbonated beverages are typically sold in plastics disposable bottles which may be of sufficiently large size to cater for the consumption of the beverage over an extended period of time.
  • a problem encountered with such drinks is that once the seal or closure of the bottle or other container has been opened, the extent of carbonation is reduced and the drinks are prone to become flat. This lessens the appeal of the drink and can often lead to wastage or consumer dissatisfaction.
  • a disadvantage of such devices is that they can only slow the process of decarbonation. They cannot prevent it and most certainly cannot reverse it. Moreover, they require a discipline beyond that willingly applied by a typical consumer.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide carbonating apparatus which is similarly capable of storing a carbona- ng gas under pressure, the capacity of said storage being sufficient to provide a carbonating or recarbonating function to one or more beverages on a plurality of occasions, there being provided an associated means of releasing a predetermined quantity (and not necessarily all) of the stored carbonating gas at any one time.
  • carbonating apparatus for increasing the extent of carbonation of a beverage, the apparatus comprising:
  • sealing means for sealingly engaging the apparatus with an associated beverage container
  • release means for activating the release of gas into the beverage
  • control means for restricting the quantity of gas released into the beverage at any one time to an amount which may be substantially less than the quantity of gas stored in said first chamber.
  • the gas may be any suitable gas adapted to increase the carbonation level of a beverage. It may be mixed with other fluids to provide additional functions, such as lowering or raising the temperature, flavouring, sweetening or preserving the beverage.
  • the apparatus further comprises a second chamber located in the passage downstream from the first chamber.
  • the passage further includes a first valve, which when in a closed position, restricts the flow of gas from the first chamber to the second chamber and a second valve, which when in a closed position prevents the flow of gas from the second chamber to the beverage.
  • the first valve may be in the form of a flow restrictor which remains open but restricts the flow from the first chamber to the second chamber to a rate substantially less than the rate of flow of gas from the second chamber to the beverage when the second valve is opened.
  • the control means may be provided by sizing the second chamber so that it has a capacity or volume suitable for storing a desired amount of the gas for release into a beverage at any one time, the first valve restricting or preventing the flow of gas from the first chamber to the second chamber while gas is being released from the second chamber into the beverage.
  • the second valve may be activated to an open position by an integral switch is triggered when the apparatus is fully engaged with the associated container.
  • the volume or capacity of the second chamber can be adjusted. It may be formed as part of the container closure which also includes said sealing means, the closure being connectable to a separate body housing the first chamber and part of said passage.
  • control means may be provided by a pressure sensitive valve which closes, and thereby stops the release of gas from the chamber to the beverage when the pressure in the beverage container reaches a predetermined level.
  • Other pressure relief means may be included in the apparatus such that when the pressure inside the bottle or container reaches a predetermined level a valve or vent is caused to open in the passage allowing for the escape of gas or other fluid from the bottle or container.
  • a method of carbonating or recarbonating a beverage in a container comprising storing a carbonating gas in a first chamber sealingly engageable with the beverage container and using a control means to control the quantity of gas released into the beverage container at any one time to an amount which may be substantially less than the quantity of gas stored in the chamber.
  • the method of carbonating or recarbonating a beverage in a container comprises the steps of transferring carbonating gas from the first chamber to a second chamber, preventing or restricting to negligible levels the further transfer of gas from the first chamber to the second chamber, and thereafter releasing gas from the second chamber into the beverage container.
  • the method of carbonating or recarbonating a beverage comprises the steps of creating a passage from the chamber to the beverage container and causing the passage to be blocked or restricted once the internal pressure of the beverage container reaches a predetermined level.
  • FIG. 1 shows apparatus comprising a bottle closure and a separable gas cylinder in accordance with the invention
  • Figs 2 and 3 illustrate unitary carbonating apparatus with alternative control means.
  • carbonating apparatus comprises of a lid 10 which incorporates a passage 11, the passage providing a physical communication between a first chamber 12 and an outlet 13.
  • the first chamber 12 is formed within a pressure vessel 14 and contains a carbonating gas (not shown) at high pressure.
  • the gas may be carbon dioxide.
  • a pressure reducing valve 15 is placed at the junction of the passage lla and the first chamber 12, such that the pressure in the passage 11 is maintained at safe levels, and in any event, at pressures far less than that typical of the gas remaining in the pressure vessel 14.
  • a separate closure 16 for a bottle or container (not shown) is formed with a second chamber 17 and sealing means 5 for sealingly engaging an associated bottle or container.
  • the sealing means 5 may be a standard thread for engaging a threaded bottle neck, there being a malleable seal or disc to ensure the integrity of the seal, such devices being well known in the art.
  • the closure 16 is provided with an extension of the passage 11 on either side and through the second chamber 17, to allow for the passage of gas from the inlet 18 to the outlet nozzle 19.
  • a stop valve 20 which may be of a type commonly known as a Schraeder valve.
  • the Schraeder valve has a needle which is depressed by positioning the valve 20 into the inlet 18 on the closure 16. When the needle is depressed the valve 20 is opened, enabling the flow of gas from the first chamber 12 through the passage lla and into the second chamber 17. The second chamber 17 is thereby filled with gas to a pressure equivalent with the pressure in the passage 11.
  • the size of the second chamber 17 is therefore suitably determined as a function of the amount of beverage to be carbonated and the pressure of the gas which it is designed to store.
  • the closure 16 incorporates a release means for allowing for the release of the gas stored in the second chamber 17 in the beverage in the bottle or container.
  • the release means typically may comprise a second valve 6 operable between an open and closed position, wherein by engaging the closure onto the bottle the valve is opened to cause the gas to flow from the second chamber to the beverage.
  • the release means may be designed to operate only when the closure is secured to the bottle or container and only when the bottle or container is inverted, such that the gas is released directly into the beverage and not a gap between the beverage and the closure.
  • the Schraeder valve 20 would be closed by removing the outlet 13 from the inlet 18 prior to activating the release means .
  • the gas stored in the second chamber 17 can be released into the beverage, gas from the passage lla and the first chamber 12 being disconnected from the supply. If it was subsequently desired to release further carbonating gas into the beverage or an alternative beverage, the process could be repeated by reconnecting the inlet 18 with the outlet 13 and valve 20, thereby recharging the second chamber 17.
  • FIG 2 A preferable embodiment is shown in Fig 2, where carbonating apparatus has a housing 30 containing a first chamber 31 and a second chamber 32.
  • the chambers 31, 32 are connected by the passage 33a which incorporates a flow restrictor 34 allowing for only a leakage of gas from the first chamber 31 to the second chamber 32.
  • the flow restrictor 34 may be a physical obstruction in the passage 33 or may, as a further example, be a porous membrane.
  • the second chamber 32 is also provided with an exit passage 33b leading to a nozzle 19.
  • the housing 30 has a sealing means 35 to allow for the sealing engagement of the apparatus to a bottle or container in which beverage is stored.
  • the apparatus in Fig 2 has a release means in the form of a manually operable stop valve 37 which co-operates with a switch 38. By pressing the switch 38, the valve 37 is opened causing the gas stored in the second chamber 32 to be released via the passage 33b and out the nozzle 19. The second chamber 32 is not replenished with gas from the chamber 31 immediately by reason of the flow restrictor 34.
  • a control means for restricting the quantity of gas released into the beverage has utilised two chambers; a first chamber for storing a large supply of gas, and a second chamber of appropriate volume to store a measured and suitable quantity of gas for release.
  • FIG. 3 An alternative control means is shown in Fig 3 where there is illustrated a housing 40 having a single chamber 41 tapped by a passage 42 which leads to a release nozzle 19. In the passage 42 is provided a valve 43 biased in a closed position but operable to an open position by a switch or lever 44.
  • a sealing means 46 Proximal to the nozzle 19 is a sealing means 46 for enabling the sealing engagement of the housing 40 to a beverage container or bottle.
  • the valve 43 is a pressure valve which shuts off when the pressure on its downstream side reaches a predetermined magnitude. This shut-off facility overrides any manual attempt to open the valve 43 using the switch 44. The shut-off mechanism in the valve 43 ensures that dangerous or undesirable pressures are not acquired in the beverage container. This same facility enables just the right amount of gas to be released from the carbonating apparatus into the beverage container or bottle.
  • inventions may also comprise a pressure relief means. It is known that beverage containers can explode or rupture when exposed to excessively high or low temperatures .
  • a pressure relief valve can be incorporated into the carbonating apparatus to maintain the pressure in the beverage container at acceptable levels.
  • the pressure release means might typically comprise a valve located in the passage lib, 33b or 42 upstream of the nozzle 19 but downstream of the valve 6, 37, 43.
  • the nozzle 19 is shaped to cause the gas to disperse into the beverage in the form of a fine spray, thereby enhancing the rate at which the gas is absorbed or dissolved into the beverage.
  • the ability to design and manufacture the nozzle to a predetermined shape; the shape being sustainable through the repeated operation of the apparatus is seen as advantageous .
  • the apparatus may have many other applications.
  • the chambers may store other substances instead of or additional to carbon dioxide.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Devices For Dispensing Beverages (AREA)

Abstract

On décrit un dispositif de carbonatation destiné à carbonater ou carbonater à nouveau une boisson contenue dans une bouteille ou dans un autre contenant. Ce dispositif présente une ou plusieurs chambres de stockage de dioxyde de carbone et/ou d'autres fluides et est associé à des moyens de commande permettant de libérer des volumes multiples et mesurés de gaz ou de fluide dans la boisson, par mise en contact et donc mélange avec cette boisson, ou dissolution dans celle-ci.
EP97903472A 1996-02-14 1997-02-14 Dispositif de carbonatation destine a des boissons Withdrawn EP0881981A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GBGB9603112.5A GB9603112D0 (en) 1996-02-14 1996-02-14 Apparatus for revitalising beverages
GB9603112 1996-02-14
PCT/GB1997/000421 WO1997029977A1 (fr) 1996-02-14 1997-02-14 Dispositif de carbonatation destine a des boissons

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0881981A1 true EP0881981A1 (fr) 1998-12-09

Family

ID=10788746

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP97903472A Withdrawn EP0881981A1 (fr) 1996-02-14 1997-02-14 Dispositif de carbonatation destine a des boissons

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0881981A1 (fr)
AU (1) AU1802697A (fr)
GB (1) GB9603112D0 (fr)
WO (1) WO1997029977A1 (fr)

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3544768A1 (de) * 1984-06-20 1987-06-19 Joachim Friese Spruehdose
US4934543A (en) * 1988-02-22 1990-06-19 Schmidt Andrew C Bottle cap and dispenser
US5396934A (en) * 1993-07-27 1995-03-14 Moench; Thomas S. Method and apparatus for injecting gas into a bottled fluid
US5329975A (en) * 1993-09-22 1994-07-19 Heitel Robert G Apparatus for pressurizing containers and carbonating liquids

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO9729977A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO1997029977A1 (fr) 1997-08-21
GB9603112D0 (en) 1996-04-10
AU1802697A (en) 1997-09-02

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