초록 ▼

An improved carbonator and method is disclosed which delivers water under pressure to a carbonator from a pump driven by the carbonating gas under pressure, the exhaust from which is mixed with the water being carbonated. Alternative embodiments are disclosed which are configured in unitary, low-cos

An improved carbonator and method is disclosed which delivers water under pressure to a carbonator from a pump driven by the carbonating gas under pressure, the exhaust from which is mixed with the water being carbonated. Alternative embodiments are disclosed which are configured in unitary, low-cost, compact configuration conducive to cooling within confined compartments. Low operating pressures permit convenient use of inexpensive plastic components for efficient operation.

대표청구항 ▼

Carbonator apparatus comprising: fluid mixing means for combining liquid and gas therein including a conduit disposed to direct fluid flow therethrough between a liquid inlet and a fluid outlet and having a gas inlet coupled thereto at a location therealong intermediate the liquid inlet and fluid ou

Carbonator apparatus comprising: fluid mixing means for combining liquid and gas therein including a conduit disposed to direct fluid flow therethrough between a liquid inlet and a fluid outlet and having a gas inlet coupled thereto at a location therealong intermediate the liquid inlet and fluid outlet; pumping means for pumping liquid into the liquid inlet of the fluid mixing means in response to gas under pressure transferred through said pumping means said pumping means includes a plurality of variable-volume chambers coupled to operate in synchronized movement for admitting liquid into at least one of the variable-volume chambers to be expelled by gas under pressure admitted into another of the variable-volume chambers; valve means coupled to respond to said movement for selectively controlling the exhausting of gas under pressure transferred through a selected one of the variable-volume chambers; first source means coupled to supply liquid to the pumping means; second source means of gas under pressure coupled to supply gas to the pumping means for pumping liquid into said liquid inlet; means coupling the exhausted gas transferred through the pumping means to the gas inlet of said fluid mixing means; and dispensing valve means coupled to the fluid outlet of said fluid mixing means for selectively controlling the dispensing of liquid combined with gas from the fluid outlet of said fluid mixing means.